On April 13, 2026, La Poste will issue a stamp featuring L’Œuvre d’Orient to celebrate the organization’s 170 years of commitment to supporting Christians in the East.
A Brief History… The Œuvre d’Orient was founded in 1856 against a major historical backdrop: the end of the Crimean War and the signing of the Treaty of Paris, which recognized France’s role in protecting Christians in the Ottoman Empire. Originally known as the Œuvre des écoles d’Orient, it was established on the initiative of lay professors at the Sorbonne, led by Baron Cauchy, to support the creation of schools in Lebanon, driven by the conviction that education is an essential driver of any society’s future. In 1860, following the massacres of Christians by the Druze, Father Charles Lavigerie, the first director, recommended expanding the organization’s scope of action. This marked the beginning of a great history of solidarity.
Thus, as early as 1895, Bishop Félix Charmetant, the director, was one of the most active figures in France in denouncing the massacres and crimes suffered by the Armenians and raising funds to help them.
Since then, L’Œuvre has continued to stand by the Christians of the East during the most tragic moments of their history—natural disasters, wars, major famines, and displacements…
In 2026, L’Œuvre d’Orient, a nonpartisan French organization, will celebrate its 170th anniversary.
Active in 23 countries, from the Middle East to Eastern Europe, from the Horn of Africa to southern India, it supports Christian communities that work on the ground, day in and day out, serving everyone through education, healthcare, social and humanitarian aid, culture, and heritage.
Because Epiphany is closely associated with Christmas for Eastern Christians, L’Œuvre d’Orient has dedicated its anniversary to *The Celebration of the Epiphany, or The Adoration of the Magi*, a painting by Augustin Frison-Roche that symbolizes the spiritual richness of the East and the universality of the message the organization has carried since its founding.
Technical
Information Design: Augustin FRISON-ROCHE
Gold foil accents the stamp’s title, “L’Œuvre d’Orient: 170 Years,” as well as the sheet’s title, “L’Œuvre d’Orient: Serving Eastern Christians Since 1856.”
Printing: photogravure Stamp size: 52 x 40.85 mm
Presentation: 9 stamps per sheet Print run: 630,000 copies
Face value: €1.52 Lettre Verte
Graphic design of the date stamp: layout by Sandrine Chimbaud based on the “L’Œuvre d’Orient
170 Years” logo Required information: design by Augustin Frison-Roche and layout by Sandrine Chimbaud.
The stamp will be available for presale on Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11, at: ▪ PARIS (75009)
Le Carré d’Encre, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., 13 bis rue des Mathurins (stamping available until 5 p.m.).
Signing session with artist Augustin Frison-Roche on Friday, April 10, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30
p.m., with Jean-Yves Tolot, President of L’Œuvre d’Orient, in attendance.
▪ AIX-EN-PROVENCE (13)
Aix La Rotonde Post Office on Friday, April 10, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 2 rue Lapierre, 13100 AIX-EN-PROVENCE
The stamp will be available for pre-sale exclusively on Friday, April 10, at:
▪ MOULINS (03)
Saint Paul Diocesan Center, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 20 rue Colombeau, 03000 MOULINS
▪ PÉRIGUEUX (24)
L’Odyssée Theater Hall, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Esplanade Robert Badinter, 24000 PÉRIGUEUX
▪ TOULOUSE (31)
Toulouse Capitole Post Office, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., 9 rue Lafayette, 31000 TOULOUSE
▪ METZ (57)
Metz Post Office, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 8 rue du Petit Paris, 57000 METZ
▪ VALENCIENNES (59)
VALENCIENNES Post Office at City Hall, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.,
4 Place du Marché aux Herbes, 59300 VALENCIENNES
