The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) have issued
stamps to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary (100 years) of Iglesia ni
Cristo in the Philippines.
Postmaster General Josefina Dela Cruz have presented the
Centennial Commemorative Stamps to Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo last
May 10 at the Iglesia ni Cristo Central Temple in Quezon City.
Brother Felix Y. Manalo, the first executive minister,
founded the Iglesia ni Cristo on July 27, 1914 in Punta, Sta. Ana Manila.
Just for a brief history, according to Wiki, Iglesia ni
Cristo pronounced [ɪˈgleʃɐ ni ˈkɾisto] (English: Church of Christ; abbreviated
as INC) is a Christian denomination religion that originated in the Philippines
in 1914 under founder Felix Manalo, who become the first executive minister. The
Iglesia ni Cristo had become a nation-wide church by the time of his death in
1963 with 1,250 local chapels, and 35 large concrete cathedrals. His son Eraño
Manalo became the next church leader and lead a campaign to grow and
internationalize the church until his death on August 31, 2009, whereupon his
son, Eduardo V. Manalo, succeeded him as executive minister. The Philippine
census by the National Statistics Office found that 2.3 percent of the
population in the Philippines are affiliated with the Iglesia ni Cristo by the
year 2000, making it the third largest
religious denomination in the Philippines after the Roman Catholic Church
(80.9%) and Islam (5.0%), respectively.
The Iglesia ni Cristo proclaims itself to be the one true
church and claims that it is the restoration of the original church founded by
Jesus and that all other Christian churches, including the Roman Catholic
Church, are apostates. INC doctrines cite that the official registration of the
church with the Philippine government on July 27, 1914, by Felix Y. Manalo who
is referred to as the last messenger of God. Believers consider the church to
be a fulfillment of biblical prophecy of the first church being reestablished
in the Far East and the coming of the Seventh seal marking the end of days.
INC holds religious gatherings called evangelical missions
regularly which aim to attract more followers.
INC's latest achievement is, among many others, the World's
largest dome, The Philippine Arena. The Philippine Arena is a multi-purpose
indoor arena at Ciudad de Victoria, a 75-hectare tourism enterprise zone in
Bocaue and Santa Maria, Bulacan, Philippines.
A regular stamp measures 40 mm x 30mm. This is the first
time that PhlPost will issue a bigger stamp measuring 50 mm x 35 mm in size.
The phenomenal growth of Iglesia ni Cristo was attributed to
its founder, Brother Felix, his wife Honorata and children who had continued
his legacy in serving God and the Church.
From a handful of believers gathered in its pioneering years
to the millions now scattered across the country and in many parts of the world
are indications of a vibrant faith – a living testament to the spiritual
leadership of Bro. Felix which passes on to his son Eraño and grandson Eduardo,
the current Executive Minister.
“We are proud to issue the centennial commemorative stamps
of Iglesia ni Cristo and to Bro. Felix, its first Executive Minister whose
adherence to the teachings of the Bible and untiring care for the Church
members is remarkable”, said Postmaster General Josefina Dela Cruz.
The stamp’s layout was provided by Vic Serevo while it was
designed by Bro. Bienvenido Santiago, Jr. of Iglesia ni Crist. PHLPost has
produced 1.2 million pieces of P10 denomination of the stamps. The
commemorative stamp will be sold starting May 09, 2014 at the Manila Central
Post Office in Liwasang Bonifacio.
Both excited and proud, please let us know if you have
acquired one ;-)
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