About the Order

The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem is one of the most ancient of the European orders of chivalry. From its foundation in the 11th century, the members of the Order were dedicated to two ideals: providing aid to those suffering from the dreadful disease of leprosy, and defending the Christian faith.

Today the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem is an international, self-governing and independent body, having its own Constitution; it may be compared with a kind of electoral kingdom. According to its Constitution, the Order is nonpolitical and ecumenical (or nondenominational). Membership is open to all men and women who are practising members of the Christian faith and in good standing with their particular Church. Its international membership comprises Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Orthodox, Methodist and other Christians, upholding in their lives, fortunes and honour the principles of Christianity. Organized as a Christian Chivalric Order, it is registered in London in accordance with English Law. The Order's Spiritual protector is the Catholic Greek Melkite Patriarch of Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem, and All the East.

It is both a Military Order of Mercy and a Hospitaller Order, dedicated to the care and assistance of the poor and sick, its aims being to preserve and defend the Christian faith, to guard, assist, succour and help the poor, the sick and the dying, to promote and maintain the principles of Christian chivalry and to follow the teachings of Christ and His Holy Church in all its works.