CTT presents this Thursday, July 30^th,  a philatelic issue portraying the Holy Ghost Festivities, in the Azores

The launching ceremony of the Philatelic issue celebrating the Holy Ghost Festivities, will take place next Thursday, July 30^th, at Império do Terreiro, in Porto Judeu, in  Angra do Heroísmo Municipality , by 7:00 p.m., and will count with the participation of the Chairman of the Parish Council of Porto Judeu, the Mayor of Angra do Heroísmo and the Chairman of  Angra do Heroísmo Philatelic Center.

The domestic stamp depicts the Holy Ghost "Theater" of the Império or of the Irmandade (Brotherhood) do Terreiro,  in Porto Judeu, Terceira island, a photo by  António Araújo; the distribution of the  "bodo" (meal) , in Faial island,  a photo by  Maurício Abreu; and the Holy Ghost Crown, a photo by Gaspar Avila.

The international stamp for Europe shows the  Foliões (Merrymen) and the Cavaleiros (Knights) da Beira , in  Velas, from São Jorge Island , a photo by Jorge Blayer Góis; the “Balho” of the fishermen at  Rabo de Peixe, in São Miguel Island, a photo by an unknown author, and a dove, central symbol in the Flag of the Holy Ghost, a photo by  António Araújo.

The international stamp for the rest of the world portrays  the Blessing of "Bodo" (meal) and the departure of the crown, at Bandeiras, in  Pico island, a photo by Maurício Abreu; the cooking of soups at the Copeira (Kitchen) of the Holy Lady of the Miracles , at  Império do Espírito Santo dos Milagres, in Vila do Porto, in Santa Maria island , a photo by Ana Pina; and a detail of a  "rosquilha" (ring shaped pastry) of  "massa sovada" (sweet bread dough) decorated with a flower, Vila Nova, in Terceira Island , a photo by António Araújo.

The stamp of the philatelic block has an image of the Holy Ghost House, located at Corvo island, a photo by Jorge Barros; the group of the Foliões (Merrymen) of Caveira Parish when praying to the Holy Trinity, Caveira Holy Ghost House, in  Flores Island, a photo by Pepe Brix; and decorations in an ox-cart, in São Jorge island , a photo by  Karol Kozlowski. The background of the block depicts an ox cart, Holy Ghost tradition at Rosais Parish, in São Jorge island ,a photo Jorge Blayer Góis.

According to Francisco Maduro-Dias, historian and museum researcher , “  the word Paráclito derives from  the Greak word  parákletos, that means the one who helps, brings comfort, enlivens, protects and intercedes. It is usually the title given to the Third Person of the Christian Holy Trinity, the Senhor Espírito Santo ( the Lord Holy Ghost)  as we refer to Him in the Azores. The Azoreans appeal to Him, mainly, when they are searching for assistance and energy.  Because they have a relative who is ill, life does not go well, during earthquakes or wartimes, or when facing too many odds, force tends to lack. They are not surrendering, they are just asking for help!  Which is rather different and makes all the sense to whom is living amidst the ocean, sometimes stormy and rough. It is impossible to sum up what these festivities imply, but I will give it a try by saying that they are moments of reunion, of sharing, of fraternity, of joy and peace, a cause for celebration every year, between Easter Sunday and Trinity Sunday, seven weeks after   […] It is a deep communitarian and solidarity  feast. As it happened already during the Middle Age, what one wishes during these weeks, is to recall that everyone  is worth Mercy, is poor and deserves alms, and at least once a year, has the right to have a merry and abundant table. All that without forgetting, ever, that  Paráclito is the One who comforts, protects and enlivens.”

This philatelic issue is constituted by three stamps with a printing number of  100, 000 copies for domestic use up to 20g,  to Europa up to 20g and to the rest of the world up to 20g. It is also constituted by a philatelic block with one stamp, in the amount of  2,50€ and limited to  35, 000 copies. Stamp design is by  Hélder Soares from Atelier Design&etc.

First day cancellations will be available at  CTT Shops of Restauradores in Lisbon, Munícipio II in Oporto, Zarco in Funchal, Antero de Quental in Ponta Delgada and  CTT  Shop in Angra do Heroísmo.