The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem is a Catholic ecumenical lay order created in 1910 by Catholics in Paris, France. The Order was formed under the protection of Patriarch Cyril VIII Jaha of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, which is in full communion with Rome. The Order claims to represent the spirit of the medieval Order of Saint Lazarus, albeit without historical continuity. The original Order was founded by Crusaders around 1119, at a leper hospital in Jerusalem, and recognized as an Order under the Rule of Saint Augustine. In 1572, the Order in Italy was merged with the Order of Saint Maurice, forming the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus, which still exists. In France, the Order went into decline and ceased to exist during the French Revolution. The 1910 reorganization is said to have been within the framework of the Roman Canonical continuation of the Order, as it had never been abolished by the Vatican. Although no longer a Roman Catholic Order of knighthood, it is an Association of the Faithful, whose purpose is the care and assistance of the sick and poor, as well as the defense of the Christian faith and principles of Christian chivalry. The modern Order is recognized by the Eastern Catholic Church, but its attributions to the medieval Catholic military Order are not recognized by the Holy See in Rome. However, the Holy See recognizes only its own equestrian Orders or those under the protection of Rome. The Order of Saint Lazarus has been recognized by the Hungarian Republic as an Order of knighthood. In the 1960s, the Order began accepting non-Catholics as full members, although the majority of its members and clergy remain Roman Catholic. In ceremonial occasions, members of the Order wear distinctive vestments and insignia, including a black cloak with a green velvet collar and the cross of the Order sews onto the left side. The insignia of a knight is a badge with military trophy pendant from a green neck ribbon.
Recommended Resources
Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, United Grand Priories
Authorized by the Internet Commission of the Supreme Grand Priory of the Order, the site projects news and views of the United Grand Priories of the Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus worldwide, including the Sacred Medical Order of the Knights of Hope and Humanity Healing International, which form part of the United Grand Priories. A history of the Order, its global presence, Supreme Grand Priory, and membership policies are featured.
http://www.saintlazarus.org/
Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem
Under the temporal protection of the Royal House of France, the Order organized in France during World War II, where it established a volunteer corps known as the Volunteers of the Order of Saint Lazarus, which cared for the wounded, particularly in Normandy and Paris. A history of the Order, its charter, knights, dames and chaplains are discussed, including its ranks and insignias.
http://www.orderofsaintlazarus.com/
Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem - Malta
The Order of Saint Lazarus is an Order is one of the Orders of chivalry that survived the downfall of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the attempts by the Crusader knights to win control of the Holy Land from Islamic forces. In theory, the Order is a military one but it has played no military role since 1291. The Grand Chancery of Malta is identified, with contacts and membership information.
http://www.orderofsaintlazarus.org/
The reunited Order of Saint Lazarus, successors of two former Obediences, Malta and Paris, which were reunited in 2008, is known as the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. A history and profile of the Order is put forth, along with its organizational structure, symbolism, an introduction to the Order, and information on becoming a member.
https://www.st-lazarus.net/en/
Saint Lazarus, Grand Priory in Canada
The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem is one of the most ancient of the European Orders of chivalry, dating back to the time of the Crusaders. It is both a military Order of Mercy and a Hospitaller Order dedicated to the care of the poor and the sick., as well as the defense of the Christian faith. The Order worldwide is highlighted, as well as the Order in Canada.
http://www.stlazarus.ca/
Saint Lazarus, Grand Priory of America
The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem is an Order of chivalry made up of men and women, lay and clergy, from the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. The Grand Priory of America was founded in 1971. A timeline is presented, along with a history of the Order, a mission statement, member fundamentals, ranks and merits, officers, and various statistics.
https://www.st-lazarus.us/
