Rare Postage Stamp to Be Issued in Honour of Estonia’s First Martyr

On 6 September, Omniva will issue a rare postage stamp to commemorate the beatification of Archbishop Eduard Profittlich, recognised as Estonia’s first martyr. Acting on behalf of the Pope, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna will proclaim Profittlich Blessed during a Mass at Freedom Square in Tallinn. The Mass will be followed at 2 p.m. by a stamp presentation in the courtyard of Sts Peter and Paul Cathedral, open to all visitors. 

Eduard Profittlich arrived in Estonia from Germany in 1930. He learned Estonian, applied for citizenship, and in 1936 became the first Catholic Archbishop in Estonia since the Reformation. When Soviet repressions began, Profittlich had the opportunity to leave the Soviet Union but chose firmly to remain in Estonia, alongside his people and his Church. That decision cost him his life – he died a martyr’s death in Kirov prison on 22 February 1942. 

The Roman Catholic Church in Estonia has studied Profittlich’s life, death, and the prospects of canonisation for many years. Beatification is one of the highest honours bestowed by the Catholic Church. A person is recognised as a martyr if it is proven that they gave their life for Christ. The step following beatification is canonisation as a saint – this requires verified evidence that the martyr also performed at least one miracle during their lifetime. 

Tomorrow, Estonia will gain its first martyr – and notably, this will also be the first beatification in all of Northern Europe since the 16th century.

“This is a great recognition not only for the Catholic Church in Estonia but also for the Catholic Church worldwide and for Estonian society as a whole. Blessed Martyr Profittlich’s decision to remain faithful to his convictions and his people until death is an example of hope, courage, and love for all. It is noble that this message will now spread even further through the postage stamp,” said Marge Paas, Postulator of the Catholic Church in Estonia. 

According to Omniva’s Head of Philately, Hannes Nagel, it is only fitting that such a significant and internationally relevant event in Estonia’s cultural history is commemorated on a national postage stamp – a true international messenger of our people, culture, and history. 

“By the way, what makes this edition truly extraordinary – and particularly valuable among collectors – is the fact that papal approval was required to depict a saint on the stamp. However, due to the unexpected passing of Pope Francis, the stamp could not be issued on the planned date of 17 May. Fresh authorisation from the Vatican arrived only after the inauguration of the new Pope, Leo XIV,” added Nagel. 

The stamp featuring Profittlich’s portrait was designed by artists Riho Luuse and Sergei Minini. The commemorative stamp has a face value of €7.70, making it suitable for registered letters. With a limited print run of only 5,000 copies, the rare stamp is primarily intended for philatelists. The stamp, First Day Cover, and information card will be available in Omniva’s online store and at post offices across Estonia. The official First Day Stamp will be used at the Tallinna Kaubamaja post office.  

In 2025, Omniva will issue 30 stamps highlighting important themes and significant events in Estonian society. Omniva’s stamps are printed at the Vaba Maa printing house on FSC-certified paper, verifying that the wood used comes from responsibly managed forests.