| Postal Stamp Image |
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 |
| Stamp Issue Date |
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20/12/1987 |
| Postage Stamp Dinomination |
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0.60 |
| Postal Stamp Serial Number |
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1280 |
| Postal Stamp Name |
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FATHER KURIAKOSE ELIAS CHAVARA |
| Stamp Information |
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Father Kuriakose Elias Chavara
Venerable Father Kuriakose Elias Chavara was born at Kainakary, Kerala on 1oth February 1806. After his schooling in the village and priesty studies under St. Tomas Palackal at Pallipuram, he was ordained priest in 1929.
Along with Frs. Thomas Palackal and Thomas Porukara, he founded the first indiginous religious Mannanam, the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate. He proved himself an able administrator as head of the CMI for 25 years. In 1866, with Fr. Leopold Beccaro, he started the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel for women.
Interested in education, he started a Sanskrit school in 1846 and the first English School of the St. Thomas Christians in 181, both at Mannanam. He started theological colleges for the education of priests.
Father Chavara set up the first Catholic Press at Mannanam in 1844, from which a network of prinitng houses apread over the country, managed by the CMI Congregation. The congregation also manages the Malayalam daily "Deepika". His own prolific writings. both prose and verse, bear witness to his wisdom.
he fought for the couse of the Harijans, seeing in them the image of God. He started two schools for Harijan children and a home for the destitute.
Amidst the diverse activities he remained essentialy a man of prayer and charity.
He died on 3rd January, 1871, humbly professing gratitude to God that he could preserve his baptismal innocence. His mortal remains lie at his tomb in St. Joseph's Church, CMI Monastry, Mannanam.
Today the Congregation runs educational institutions, hospitals, dispensaries, welfare & cultural centres and printing presses. The work of the congregation is a tribute to the vision of Fr. Chavara. His Holiness Pope John Paul II cenferred the formal recognition of the Church by Beatifying him on 8th February, 1986.
text by CMI. |
| Philatelic Stamp Description |
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The stamp has been designed by India Security Press, Nashik Road. The first day cover represents the St. Joseph's Church, in Mannanam. The cancellation is designed by Smt. Alka Sharma. |
| Stamp Currency |
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P |
| Stamp Type |
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COMMEMORATIVE |
| Stamp Language |
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English |
| Stamp Overall Size |
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3.91 X 2.90 cms |
| Postal Stamp Print Size |
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3.55 X 2.5 cms. |
| Number of Stamps Per Sheet |
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35 |
| Stamp Perforations |
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13 x 13 |
| Postal Stamp Shape |
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Vertical |
| Postage Stamp Paper |
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Unwatermarked P.G. Matt coated paper |
| Indian Stamp Process |
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Photogravure |
| Number of stamps printed |
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15,00,000 |
| Stamp Printed At |
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India Security Press |
| Indian Stamp's Color |
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Light Brown |
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