Monte Carlo – December 2002. To commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the death of Saint George, (303-2003), the Principality of Monaco issued a special stamp on 1 December 2002. The classic stamp portrays the statue of Saint George donated by the Constantinian Order and currently on display in the Cathedral of Monaco. The stamp design also includes the striking Cross of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George.
The stamp’s launch event took place at the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo during the international stamp exhibition MonacoPhil 2002 which was held under the Patronage of HSH Prince Rainier III of Monaco. His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria, Grand Prefect of the Constantinian Order, launched the Saint George stamp. HRH The Duchess of Calabria and British and Irish delegation member Peter Jennings attended.
The Italian Republic and Gibraltar are also commemorating St George’s 1,700 years with their own special postage stamps to be issued on 23 April 2003 – the Feast of George. Together with the Monaco stamp they will be collected by philatelists and non-collectors worldwide and help to raise interest and awareness of the Constantinian Order of St George.