Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem – Lieutenancy Canada – Toronto
Donate
0
Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem – Lieutenancy Canada – Toronto
Donate
0
Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem – Lieutenancy Canada – Toronto
0
Donate

Who We Are

Papal Knighthood

Orders of the Church & honours of the Holy See

Two living chivalric Orders are recognised and supported by the Holy See; five Pontifical Orders are honours the Pope bestows on individuals. The difference matters — and it is where the Order of the Holy Sepulchre belongs.

I

Chivalric Orders Recognised and Supported by the Holy See

Historic institutions with their own membership, governance, spirituality and continuing mission — not merely honours awarded to an individual.

  • The white eight-pointed cross of the Sovereign Order of MaltaReligious Order · Sovereign

    Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta

    Commonly the Sovereign Order of Malta

    Founded around 1048 as a hospital for pilgrims in Jerusalem and recognised by Pope Paschal II in 1113, the Order still lives its motto Tuitio fidei et obsequium pauperum through hospitals and relief work on every continent.

    Nature
    A Catholic religious order and a sovereign subject of international law
    Head
    The Prince and Grand Master, in Rome
  • The red Jerusalem cross of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of JerusalemOur Order

    Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

    EOHSJ

    Tracing its origins to the knights who guarded the Tomb of Christ, and re-established by Pius IX in 1847, the Order sustains the Church in the Holy Land and calls its Knights and Dames to a visibly Christian life.

    Nature
    A public juridical person under canon law and a Central Entity of the Catholic Church
    Head
    A Cardinal Grand Master appointed by the Pope
The Vatican Secretariat of State specifically distinguishes these two Orders from the Holy See’s own Pontifical Orders. And there is an important difference even between them: the Order of Malta is a Catholic religious order and a sovereign subject of international law, while the Order of the Holy Sepulchre is a public juridical person under canon law and a Central Entity of the Catholic Church.

II

Pontifical Orders of Knighthood

Honours of the Holy See, bestowed by the Pope upon individuals in recognition of distinguished service to the Church, society or the Holy See — in order of precedence.

  1. I
    Insignia of the Supreme Order of Christ

    Supreme Order of Christ

    • Since1319
    • Reserved toCatholic heads of state

    The highest order of chivalry awarded by the Pope, descended from the Portuguese Order of Christ that succeeded the Templars. Conferred only on the rarest occasions — not since 1987.

  2. II
    Insignia of the Order of the Golden Spur

    Order of the Golden Spur

    • AlsoOrder of the Golden Militia
    • Limited to100 knights

    The oldest of the papal orders, reorganised by Pope St. Pius X in 1905 and, since 1966, reserved to Christian sovereigns and heads of state.

  3. III
    Insignia of the Order of Pius IX

    Order of Pius IX

    • AlsoThe Pian Order
    • Since1847

    Founded by Pius IX on 17 June 1847, it is the highest pontifical order regularly conferred on the laity, Catholic or not — customarily on ambassadors to the Holy See and distinguished public figures.

  4. IV
    Insignia of the Order of St. Gregory the Great

    Order of St. Gregory the Great

    • Since1831
    • Given forConspicuous service to the Church

    Established by Gregory XVI in 1831, it is awarded in four classes, usually on a bishop’s recommendation, and is the preferred papal award of merit for individual service to the Church.

  5. V
    Insignia of the Order of Pope St. Sylvester

    Order of Pope St. Sylvester

    • Since1841
    • Given forLay service in the apostolates

    Reformed by Gregory XVI in 1841 and given its present form in 1905, it recognises members of the laity for active service in the apostolates and may also be presented to non-Catholics.

The Vatican itself identifies these five as its own Equestrian Orders. A recipient is decorated with an honour; he or she is not enrolled in a living Order with a rule and a mission of its own.