St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, features on Christmas stamp

Royal Mail has today announced that an original illustration of St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh, will feature as the Second-Class Large Class stamp for its Christmas special stamps in 2024.

The stamps feature some of the many spectacular cathedrals in the UK, the remainder completing the set being Edinburgh, Liverpool, Bangor and Westminster.  The stamps were illustrated by Penzance-based, British artist, Judy Joel, whose popular paintings have been sold worldwide over the last 50 years.

The Dean of Armagh, the Very Revd Shane Forster, said: “I am delighted that Royal Mail has chosen St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh to feature on this year’s Christmas stamps. The image of the light shining out through the Cathedral’s stained-glass windows, along with young people carol singing and playing in the snow, portrays a lovely traditional winter scene.

“The artist, Judy Joel, is to be congratulated for creating a very special set of seasonal stamps which send out a message of joy and hope at Christmas. The Cathedrals that feature on the stamps stand as symbols of faith at the very centre of each picture and at the heart of their local communities.”

David Gold, Royal Mail’s Director of External Affairs and Policy, said: “Cathedrals are a hugely significant part of our cultural heritage and provide support to their communities. They come into their own at Christmas, offering warmth and welcome to all. These stamps featuring beautiful illustrations of cathedrals from across the UK will spread the joys of this celebratory time of year.”

Christmas is a time of celebration in the midst of winter darkness at all of the United Kingdom’s cathedrals. A cathedral is the seat of a bishop (cathedra in Latin) and the principal church of the diocese, or church administrative area. From St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh, founded by the great Irish saint (originally from Roman Britain) as a monastic community on a hilltop, to Liverpool Cathedral, consecrated a century ago, cathedrals bear witness to history and play a key role in the nation’s spiritual, cultural and social life. With candlelight, festive decorations, magnificent architecture, awe-inspiring art and treasures, and sublime music and liturgy, cathedrals are wonderful and welcoming places to visit at Christmas.