Franciszak Skarayna was born in the city of Polack on the Dzvina River. In 1504 he graduated from the University of Cracow, and was Secretary to King Jan of Denmark in 1509. In 1512 he received a doctor's degree in medicine from the University of Paddua. He then studied the techniques for printing and engraving and published a major part of a translation of the Bible in Lithuanian in 1512-1517.

     He moved his printing business to Vilna, and published other portions of the Bible. The stamps were issued to mark the 480th anniversary of printing in Belarus.