The Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem
An Introduction
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The Origins:
There is sound evidence that The Lepers of St
Lazarus were housed outside the north western corner of the walled city of
Jerusalem during the Crusader period of 1099-1187, which evolved from the 4th
century, treating the diagnosed lepers of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre,
Knights of St John and Knights Templar. Military duties were assumed after the
Order was instituted by the Bull of Pope Pascall II in 1115. It was granted
sovereignty over Montmusard Acre in 1191. Knights of St Lazarus attained
bravery, many dying in the defence of Acre in 1291.
As the position of the Crusaders deteriorated in
the Holy Land the Order moved to Boigny at the invitation of King Louis IX of
France in 1254, where the Grand Magisterial seat stayed until the French
Revolution. Attempts by the Papacy and the Order of St John to appropriate the
Orders were foiled in 1318 and 1489. From 1608 until the fall of the Bourbon
dynasty in 1830 the Order even had a naval fleet.
In 1841 the Melkitide-Greek Catholic Patriarch of
Antioch, in communion with Rome became the Spiritual Protector, under whom the
Grand Council governed until 1935, when the Grand Magistery was formed with
the election of HRH Don Francisco de Bourbony de la Torre as Grand Master.
The Order spread through Europe with the returning
Crusaders and was brought to England by the first Baron Mowbray, who gave it a
house and land in Burton (Lazars). All religious orders were dissolved by
Henry VIII in 1544. The Order was re-established by Grand Magisterial Decree
in 1960 and has attained State recognition in several countries.
Admission of Protestants into this exclusively
Catholic Order led to schism in 1969 with the formation of the Malta and Paris
obediences. At The Joint International Reunion in Oxford in 1986 HE Francois
de Cosse, Marquis de Brissac was elected by an overwhelming majority as Grand
Master and was thus installed by His Beatitude Maximos V Hakim. Although
achieved in most countries, the union was incomplete and it is still sought by
the remaining unreconciled Jurisdictions.
The Aims:
The members of the ecumenical Order should form a
spiritual family and fraternity, sharing and helping each other in times of
trouble and grief. Each member is asked to participate in Hospitaller work for
the sick, the disabled, the elderly and all who are in need.
The ceremonies of the Vigil and Investiture,
pilgrimages wearing the cape and the green cross are more than ritualistic
maintenance of an ancient tradition, they are outward symbols of brotherhood
and dedication to Christianity.
The Order is still involved in the care, cure and
rehabilitation of those with leprosy and with measures designed to eradicate
the disease throughout the world. The scope now includes support of hospices
of the terminally ill and an infant welfare centre in Jerusalem.
The Order of St Lazarus was one of the two orders of chivalry to survive the
downfall of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the attempts by the Crusader knights to
win control of the Holy Land from the forces of Islam.
From its foundation in the twelth century, the members of the Order were
dedicated to two ideals: aid to those suffering from the dreadful disease of
leprosy and the defense of the Christian Faith.
The history of the Order of St Lazarus is not without contention. There are
some who claim that the original Order of St Lazarus was suppressed at the time
of the French Revolution and that the modern "Order of St Lazarus" is nothing
more than a twentieth century invention and there are others who claim that the
Order has survived into the latter part of the twentieth century against all
expectations. Whatever the Order of St Lazarus is, be it ancient Order or modern
invention, it still flourishes today, despite current internal rifts, and
continues to fulfill humanitarian objectives.
Investiture photo's - click to enlarge.
The MERSEY COMMANDERY is commanded by Dr the Chev.
Andrew v. Zsigmond KCLJ OMLJ.
