(1981) MiNr. 775 ** (4-er) - Liechtenstein - Bishop Theodor (Theodule)

Saint Theodule, a historical figure who made a significant mark on the history of Switzerland and Christianity. He was the first documented bishop in the Swiss canton of Valais (sometimes also spelled Wallis) around the middle of the 4th century, and his legacy has endured not only in local legends but also in the liturgy and cultural heritage of the region.

Historical background

Theodulus, sometimes referred to as Theodore, was, according to extant sources, the first bishop of Sion, the seat of the diocese of Valais. His name first appears in documents from 381, when he attended the Synod of Aquileia. It is this participation that represents the first evidence of a Christian institution in the Upper Rhine and adjacent Alps.

At that time, there was a consolidation of Christianity in Roman Gaul and in what is now Switzerland. The role of bishops was not only religious but also social - they acted as mediators between the Roman authorities, local communities and later Germanic tribes.

Saint Theodulus and the Legend of the Devil

There is a famous legend associated with Saint Theodul that played a role in his cult: according to legend, he forced the devil to build a stone bridge over a deep gorge in an Alpine pass. The bridge, which is now known as the "Devil's Bridge" (Teufelsbrücke) in the Gotthard area, was to be built in exchange for the soul of the first person to cross it. Theodul, however, sent a goat across the bridge and thus outwitted the devil. This legend, although unsubstantiated, shows the importance of Theodul's figure in popular consciousness and church tradition.

Cultural and religious legacy

Saint Theodul was venerated as a saint soon after his death, not only in Valais itself but also in other Alpine regions. Many churches and chapels are dedicated to him, and the famous Theodul Glacier (Theodulgletscher) in the Zermatt area, for example, bears his name.

His feast day traditionally falls on 16 August, and it is on round anniversaries such as this year's that special pilgrimages, historical commemorations and liturgical ceremonies are held.

Importance for collectors and historians

The Anniversary of Saint Theodule is an occasion not only for spiritual reflection but also for commemorating historical milestones in European Christianity. For philatelists and those interested in stamp collecting, this is a topic with deep cultural overtones. The first Bishop of Valais thus enters the modern cultural discourse not only through historical studies but also through thematic editions in the field of stamp collecting.