Constitution, Statutes and Regulations of the Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem - Malta Obedience

 

Magisterial Decree No. 17 /99

We, FRANCISCO DE BORBON Y ESCASANY, DUQUE DE SEVILLA, GRANDE DE ESPAGNE, 48th PRINCE GRAND MASTER elected of THE MILITARY AND HOSPITALLER ORDER OF SAINT LAZARUS OF JERUSALEM, in the name of God, and of the Virgin and of Saint Lazarus:

In virtue of Our rights and prerogatives, by means of the present Magisterial Decree, We do hereby decree that the Constitution, Statutes and General Regulations of The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem herein contained are hereby approved and are applicable to and in all Jurisdictions of the Order as from the date of the present Decree, from which date all Members and Affiliates of the Order are bound by them.

We entrust Our Grand Chancellor, His Excellency The Chevalier Reginald S.R. Attard, the publication of the said Constitution and Statutes in the English, Spanish and French languages in conformity with the text approved by Us and We also entrust him with the duty of communicating them to all the Heads of Jurisdiction of the Order that may bring the said Constitution and Statutes to the knowledge of all the Members and Affiliates of the Order in all its Jurisdictions and that they may ensure the most faithful compliance with the said Constitution, Statutes and General Regulations.

By this Magisterial Decree all constitutions, statutes and statistics issued prior to this date are cancelled.

Given in Our Magisterial Seat in Madrid, Spain,
this 8th day of October of the year 1999

 

Part 1

The Constitution

Chapter 1 - The Constitution

1.1 CHARACTER OF THE ORDER

a. The Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem is an international, nonpolitical, ecumenical or nondenominational and independent nonprofit Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) according to the European Convention on the Recognition of the Legal Personality of International Non-Governmental Organizations.
b. Traditionally it is organized as a Christian Chivalric Order.
c. It is both a Military Order of Mercy and a Hospitaller Order dedicated to the care and assistance of the poor and the sick. The Order dedicates itself especially to lepers, always mindful of its origin in the Holy Land in the early centuries following the life of Christ, and to the supporting of the Christian faith.

1.2 RELIGION

All Members of the Order shall be practicing members of the Christian Faith in good standing within their particular denomination. All Members of the Order shall be committed to upholding with their lives, fortunes and honour, the principles of Christianity, and shall stand united before all men in their determination to live and die following the teaching of Christ and His Holy Church.

1.3 AIMS OF THE ORDER

a. It shall be the aim of the Order to preserve and defend the Christian faith, to guard, assist succor and help the poor, the sick and 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.
b. By its activities in charitable, philanthropic, health and education fields the Order contributes to the achievement of the aims and principles of the United Nations Charter and the Statute of the Council of Europe.
c. The activities of the Order are worldwide with particular attention to leprosy.

1.4 INVOCATIONS

The Sign of the Cross and the invocation "In the name of God, and of the Virgin and of St. Lazarus" is to precede every official act of the Order.

1.5 CROSS OF THE ORDER

a. The Cross of the Order shall be the Cross of the Eight Beatitudes, commonly called the Maltese Cross, green in colour.
b. The Cross of the Order may be used by the Order itself, by its Jurisdictions and Volunteer Corps and by all active individual Members.

1.6 BANNER AND ARMS OF THE ORDER

a. The Banner of the Order is: Argent a Cross vert.
b. The Arms of the Order are: Argent a Cross vert, surmounting a Cross of eight Beatitudes, encircled by The Grand Collar, the whole on a mantle sable, with tarsils and ornaments or, on the sinister side bearing the Cross of eight Beatitudes vert, over all the Eastern Crown of the Order lined sable on which is borne a Cross and Orb or; beneath the arms is the motto "Atavis et Armis".
c. The arms of the Order, with or without the motto, may be used by the Order itself and by its Jurisdictions only, but not by individual Members.
d. Differenced Banners and Ensigns as well as Pinsil and Standard of the Order as prescribed in the General Regulations (Part 3, chapter 9, section 1) may be used by various Jurisdictions, Volunteer Corps and Senior Officers.

1.7 BANNER, ENSIGN AND ARMS OF THE GRAND MASTER

a. The Banner and the Ensign of the Grand Master are:
Argent the full personal arms of the Grand Master, golden fringed.
b. The Arms of the Grand Master are:
Quarterly, 1 and 4, the arms of the Order; 2 and 3, the personal arms of the Grand Master.

1.8 SEALS OF THE ORDER

a. The Great Seal of the Order is: The full arms of the Order encircled by the inscription "S. Ordinis Sancti Lazari in Jerusalem". The seal of the Order shall be used only by the Grand Chancellor to be affixed to all diplomas and other documents of highest value.
b. Other Seals as prescribed in the General Regulations (Part 3, chapter 9, section 2) may be used by Senior Officers in the exercise of their official duties.

1.9 MOTTO OF THE ORDER

The Motto of the Order is in Latin "Atavis et Armis", translated "By the Example of our Ancestors".

1.10 SEAT OF THE ORDER

a. The spiritual (titular) seat of the Order will be the place so established by the Grand Master, at the moment at Chateau Boigny, France.
b. The administrative seat of the Order will depend on the residence of the Grand ChanceIlor and will be so designated by the Grand Master. At the moment the administrative seat of the Order is at Malta.
c. The Grand Custodian should, if possible, also reside in the same area, unless it should be desired otherwise by the Grand Master.

1.11 ANTHEM OF THE ORDER

a. The Anthem of the Order is the musical composition "Hymn to St. Lazarus", written and composed by Confr. Peter LaManna, D.Mus., KStG, CLJ, and dedicated 1986 to the Members of the Order of St. Lazarus.
b. Text and music of the Anthem are enclosed to this Constitution as an appendix.

1.12 ORGANIZATION OF THE ORDER

a. The Order shall be divided into a number of national Jurisdictions, depending to the Grand Chancery and all of equal standing whether calIed by the various names, e.g. Grand Bailiwick, Grand Priory, Grand Commandery, Bailiwick, Priory or Commandery, according to custom.
b. A Grand Bailiwick, Grand Priory or Grand Commandery will normally be subdivided into suitable smaller jurisdictions called Commanderies, Sub-Commanderies or Delegations, but such have no independent standing outside of their Grand Bailiwicks, Grand Priories or Grand Commanderies.
c. There shall be no distinction between (Grand) Bailiwicks, (Grand) Priories and (Grand) Commanderies as these terms have historically been used in the Order except as provided herein.
d. All Jurisdictions called Bailiwick, Priory or Commandery are by nature the same, and the foregoing terms may be used interchangeably as best suits the requirements of the local Jurisdiction.
e. The terms Grand Bailiwick and Grand Priory may also be interchangeable as best suits the requirements of the local Jurisdiction, but those terms are normally limited to Jurisdictions which are divided internally into Commanderies or Delegations as sub-jurisdictions of the national one, or which have within their geographic boundaries one or more Hereditary Commanderies, notwithstanding the fact that the latter do not depend from the local Jurisdiction, but directly from the Grand Master.
f. Hereditary Commanderies depend directly from the Grand Master, are installed by him and are not subject to the local Jurisdictions within whose geographic territory they exist, but all communication to the Grand Master will be passed through the Grand Chancery.

1.13 OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

The official languages of the Order are English, Spanish and French in Europe and English and Spanish in the Americas. In the event of controversy the English version shall prevail.


Chapter 2 - Membership of the Order

2.1 QUALIFICATIONS

a. Every person proposed for admission into the Order shall be a practicing member of the Christian faith and shall be of sound mind and of such means and position as will enable her or him to live honourably and to observe fully and freely the laws and decrees of the Order. Every candidate for admission into the Order, called Postulant, must be known to two Knights, or one Knight and two Commanders, or one Knight and one Commander and two Officers who must know the candidate personally and sponsor him for admission to the Order.
b. Each Postulant must prove that he is a person of irreproachable conduct, honour and integrity, and if he is married, that the contract of marriage into which he had entered is perfectly honourable and is valid in accordance with the laws or regulations of their particular Christian denomination.
c. Each Postulant must complete an application in writing in a form prescribed by the Grand Chancery and must submit for review a curriculum vitae and a certificate from his Church showing he is in good standing, or with a copy of his Baptismal Certificate.

2.2 APPLICATlON PROCEDURE

a. Each Postulant must submit all documentation required by part 2, chapter 7, section 1, to the Admissions Commission of his Jurisdiction, which must approve the candidate. Following such approval the Admissions Commission of the local Jurisdiction shall transmit the application together with its recommendations via the appropriate officers of the Jurisdiction concerned to the Grand Chancery.
b. The Admissions Commission of the Order shall decide upon the admission, the rank and the category, being guided as appropriate by the recommendations of the local jurisdictional Admissions Commission, and shall transmit the application, if approved, together with its decision to the Grand Master, who shall decide upon the admission of the postulant and confirm rank and category. The decision of the Grand Master is final and not subject to any appeal. The Grand Master may delegate such responsibility to the Grand Chancellor.

2.3 RANKS lN THE ORDER

a. From the most junior to the most senior the ranks in the Order are:

Order’s Standard

International Standard

Member (MLJ)

Knight/Dame

Officer (OLJ)

Officer

Commander (CLJ)

Commander

Knight or Dame of Grace (KLJ/DLJ)

Grand Officer (of Grace)

Knight or Dame of Justice (KLJ/DLJ)

Grand Officer (of Justice)

Knight or Dame Commander of Grace (KCLJ/DCLJ)

Grand Commander (of Grace)

Knight or Dame Commander of Justice (KCLJ/DCLJ)

Grand Commander (of Justice)

Knight or Dame Grand Cross of Grace (GCLJ/DGCLJ)

Grand Cross (of Grace)

Knight or Dame Grand Cross of Justice (GCLJ/DGCLJ)

Grand Cross (of Justice)

b. Whilst the above system of ranks is common to most nations, there are countries where the system varies considerably by custom and law. In such cases application should be made to the Grand Master for a variation decree quoting the principle outline of the system they wish to adopt and recommending rates of passage money, oblations and promotion fees.

2.4 CLERGY

a. All priests and ministers of Christian faith are admitted as ecclesiastical Members (Chaplains of the Order). Postulants who are priests or ministers must submit, in addition, documentation required by chapter 2, section 1, proof from the appropriate ecclesiastical superior of the candidate attesting to the fact that the candidate has been validly ordained and is in good standing as a minister or priest of his particular denomination.
b. The ranks of the Clergy are in order from junior to senior;

c. From the various clerical Members the Grand Master may appoint a Senior Spiritual Grand Prior for the Order.

2.5 CATEGORIES OF MEMBERS

a. There are two categories for all admissions to the Order in the rank of Knight or above, these being of Grace or of Justice.
b. Normally no Postulant shall be admitted to the Order in the category of Justice unless, as a minimum requirement, he shall have proved hereditary nobility from each of his four grandparents, or, when the paternal line alone is used, from his paternal great-grandfather. Each Jurisdiction within the Order may establish its own criteria for admission in the category of Justice in accordance with the custom and practice of its nation, which criteria shall be approved by the Grand Master and promulgated by the Grand Chancellor.
c. Members admitted in the category of Justice are entitled to wear the Order’s Cross of Justice.
d. Those members who are unable to furnish proof of hereditary nobility in accordance with this will always be admitted in the category of Grace.

2.6 PAYMENT OF OBLATIONS AND PASSAGE FEES

a. It shall be a requirement of membership in the Order that each Member pay such oblations and passage fees as may properly from time to time be assessed by the Grand Chancery. Until such payments are made the membership or rank acquired on promotion shall not become effective. All fees must be paid directly to the national Jurisdiction, from Members "in gremio religionis" to the Grand Chancery.
b. For good cause shown the Heads of the various Jurisdictions within the Order, with the approval of the Grand Chancery, may suspend or remit the requirements of this section in individual cases.

2.7 AGE FOR ADMISSION

Except in those cases where the Grand Master shall prove otherwise by decree, and in the case of Postulants claiming the right to admission by reason of hereditary right, no Postulant shall be admitted to the Order unless he shall have attained the age of twenty one years, at the time of his investiture.

2.8 HEREDITARY ADMISSION OF ISSUE OF MEMBERS

a. The sons and daughters of Members may, after reaching the age of eighteen years, apply for membership in the Order by reason of hereditary right. Upon satisfying himself that such Postulant is otherwise qualified for admission, the Grand Master shall admit the Postulant as a Member, or in such higher rank as the Grand Master may deem appropriate in the circumstances of the particular case.
b. The sons and daughters of Knights (Dames) of Justice admitted by reason of hereditary right shall, upon obtaining the rank of Knight or Dame, prove anew the claim to category of Justice, or, failing such proof, be admitted in the category of Grace.

2.9 INVESTITURES

a. The Grand Master is the sole authority for investing Members on entry, on promotion or receipt of an award. He may delegate such authority to High Officers to act on his behalf and in such cases investing Officers may invest to one rank below that which they hold.
b. When possible all investitures not carried out by the Grand Master or his personal representative or by the Grand Chancellor will be carried out by a Member of the Supreme Council or a High Officer of another Jurisdiction. The Grand Chancellor is to be given eight weeks notice of the wish to hold an investiture and in the absence of the Grand Master or his representative if he himself is unable to attend, he will arrange for a suitable lnvesting Officer to attend or delegate approval to the Head of Jurisdiction to act accordingly.

2.10 RESIGNATION AND RETIREMENT

a. All Members of the rank of Commander and below may resign. Those senior will be placed "in gremio religionis" on giving up duties or responsibilities in the Order.
b. All Members of the Order who cease to be Christian shall ipso facto cease to belong to the Order. Upon regaining his status as a Christian, such former Member may petition the Grand Master for reinstatement in the Order via his national Jurisdiction, and upon a showing of good cause and with the approval of the Grand Master he may be so instated.
c. Resigned Members may not wear the insignia nor the uniform of the Order. It is desirable that the insignia should be returned to the Head of Jurisdiction.

2.11 EXPULSIONS

a. Members may be expelled from the Order should they transgress the aims and objects of the Order. Such application will be made by the Grand Chancellor to the Grand Master, except Commanders and below who may be expelled by the Grand Chancellor.
b. Members being at least three years on the inactive list may be expelled from the Order by the Grand Chancellor on written request of the Head of Jurisdiction.
c. Expelled Members are not to wear the insignia nor the uniform of the Order. They should return their insignia to the Head of Jurisdiction.

2.12 AWARDS AND TITLES

No Member may use, in the course of his duties, any title, award or rank that has not the authority of his Head of State. Manorial and such titles may not be used. In any doubt the matter should be referred to the Grand Chancellor.


Chapter 3 - The Grand Master

3.1 HEAD OF THE ORDER

a. The Grand Master is the Head of the Order and to him, upon taking the oath as Grand Master, is delegated all power and authority of the Chapter General. The Grand Master is elected for life by the Chapter General; he must be a Member of the Order before his election and he should be a member of a reigning or former reigning family.
b. Before being invested as Head of the Order, the Grand Master shall take the following oath in the presence of the Chapter General as convened for the election or before the Supreme Council:
"I do solemnly promise before Almighty God to honour, uphold and observe at all times His Holy Commandments, and to ensure that they may be upheld, venerated, and observed as far as that may lie within my power; to administer and govern The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem loyally and faithfully as becomes the duty and dignity of the Grand Master; and to uphold the Constitution, laws and custom of the Order, and to ensure that the same are upheld and observed by all members of the Order; So Help Me God."
c.
According to ancient traditions the Grand Master is styled as "H.R.H. Prince Grand Master".

3.2 APPOINTMENT OF HIGH OFFICERS

a. The Grand Master shall appoint all members of the Government of the Order.
b. To facilitate the conduct of the affairs and work of the Order, the Grand Master may, in his discretion and subject to such limitations as he may impose, delegate in such manner as he deems fit any of his powers or authority to any other Grand Officer or other officer of the Order as he may specify.

3.3 ADMISSION OF MEMBERS

a. The Grand Master shall be the only authority to admit Members of the Order and for confirming promotions and awards of merit. He may, however, delegate such authority to the Grand Chancellor or to another member of the Supreme Council.
b. All Members of the Order appointed to any office or dignity within the Order by the Grand Master shall serve at the pleasure of the Grand Master.

3.4 VACANCY OF THE GRAND MASTERSHIP

a. If a Coadjutor has been appointed with the right of succession the Supreme Council will immediately determine, the Coadjutor not being present, whether there is, in its opinion, any reason of sufficient weight to require the convening of the Chapter General so that it either confirms the right of succession of the Coadjutor or proceed to the election of a Grand Master.
b. Should there be no such reason the Supreme Council will proclaim the Coadjutor Grand Master upon his taking the oath provided for in chapter 3, section 1b of this Constitution.
c. Should the Grand Mastership become vacant and the Coadjutor for any reason not assume the provisional Grand Mastership, the Order shall be governed by a Grand Vicar vested with the prerogatives of the Grand Mastership but without being entitled to the external pomp and honours.
d. The Grand Vicar shall be appointed by the Chapter General but, if circumstances have not permitted to convene, then and only then by the Supreme Council.

3.5 STATUTES FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE ORDER

The Grand Master shall promulgate such Statutes for the Government of the Order as he may, either in his absolute discretion, or with the advice of the Supreme Council, deem necessary and advisable.

3.6 UNIFORMS AND INSIGNIA

The uniforms, insignia and special armorial bearings of Members of the Order shall be as prescribed by the Grand Master and published by Statute and General Regulations.

3.7 GRAND COLLAR

a. The Grand Collar is a high honour and a mark of great distinction and gratitude from the Grand Master.
b. It may be given to Heads of State and Prime Ministers, and to Members of the Supreme Council who have served the Grand Master faithfully and have four or more years on the Council. It is a gift for life.
c. The Grand Master, the Coadjutor, the President of the Supreme Council and the Grand Chancellor are ex officio holders of the Grand Collar.


Chapter 4 - The Coadjutor

4.1 THE COADJUTOR

The Coadjutor is the first dignitary of the Order after the Grand Master. He shall preside over the Executive Council of the Order and he takes the Grand Master's place when the Grand Master is incapacitated or otherwise unable to fulfil the duties of his office. In the event of the death or abdication of the Grand Master, the Coadjutor shall become provisional Grand Master until the Chapter General elects a successor to the Grand Master.

4.2 APPOINTMENT

The Coadjutor shall be appointed by the Grand Master for life, with the consent of the Supreme Council. He may, with the consent of a Chapter General, be appointed with the right of sudden succession.


Chapter 5 - Government of the Order

5.1 GOVERNMENT

a. The Government of the Order will consist of:

b. All appointments to the Government of the Order will be at the discretion of the Grand Master, and will be for life, but serve at the pleasure of the Grand Master.
c. All correspondence between Heads of Jurisdiction and the Grand Master relating to the Order shall be channelled through the Grand Chancery.
d. All members of the Government of the Order other than Hereditary Commanders will retire at the age of eighty years, when they must offer their resignation. They may apply to continue for a period of two years followed by a second such period at the pleasure of the Grand Master.

5.2 CHANNEL OF CORRESPONDENCE

All correspondence between any Member of the Order whether a member of the Supreme Council, Heads of Jurisdiction or otherwise, without exception, and the Grand Master in relation with the Order will be channelled through the Grand Chancery. Further on such person seeking an interview with the Grand Master on matters relating to the Order will inform the Grand Chancellor first and furnish him with a memoir giving the points he wishes to raise with the Grand Master.

5.3 CHAPTER GENERAL

a. The supreme governing body and repository of all power in the Order is the Chapter General. The delegation of this power belongs permanently absolutely and irrevocably in the Grand Master. The Chapter General is composed of all Members of the Order both lay and clerical. The Chapter General shall be convened by the Grand Chancellor upon order of the Supreme Council for the purpose of electing the Grand Master and for the confirmation of the appointment of a Coadjutor with right of succession. This is a right that has been exclusively theirs from remotest antiquity. The Chapter General may also be convened by the Grand Master whenever the Grand Master deems it to be in the interests of the Order.
b. The right to vote at Chapters General and all other meetings shall be restricted to Jurisdictions and Members from the rank of Commander and higher, in good financial standing vis-a-vis of the Government of the Order. Any exceptions must be approved by the Grand Master.
c. When convening the Chapter General, the Grand Chancellor will send a summons to all Heads of Jurisdiction setting out the reasons for the Chapter General and giving a clear exposition of each and every item that is for consideration and quoting the official dates of the Chapter General.
d. On receipt of the summons the Heads of each Jurisdiction will forward to the Grand Chancellor a list of all members of his Jurisdiction fully paid up on the dates quoted. Any such list not received within six weeks of the dates quoted will be declared void. The Grand Chancellor will on receipt of such lists send the Heads of Jurisdictions sufficient voting papers to cover the list of paid up members.
e. Heads of Jurisdiction will distribute voting papers and subsequently collect back same, put them in a sealed envelope and forward to the Grand Chancery together with (if not already sent) monies due to the Grand Chancery based on paid up voting members. Failure to pay up fees will cause all the Jurisdiction votes to be declared void.
f. Members of the Order "in gremio religionis" will be circulated by the Grand Chancellor.

5.4 GRAND MAGISTERIAL COUNCIL

a. The Grand Magisterial Council will normally be held every two years (at least every three years) and will be summoned by the Grand Chancellor upon the order of the Grand Master.
b. The agenda of the Grand Magisterial Council Meeting will be prepared by the Grand Chancellor.
c. The Council Meeting will consist of the Grand Master, the Coadjutor and all Members appointed to the Government of the Order.
d. All Members and Affiliates of the Order may attend its meetings as observers and may attend all functions held in connection with a Council meeting.

5.5 SUPREME COUNCIL

a. The Supreme Council shall consist of:

b. The following seats are to remain part of the Supreme Council for the time being but subject to natural wastage and shall not be replaced:, unless the Grand Master will decide otherwise

c. The following have for some time been inactive and vacant. They will continue that way at the discretion of the Grand Master:

d. The Grand Master as advised by the Grand Chancellor may keep seats in the Supreme Council vacant or to fill them from time to time for a fixed period of time.
e. The Grand Custodian of Insignia, the Judge of Arms and the Referendary do not form part of the Supreme Council, but are appointed as Grand Secretaries there to and are directly under the control of the Grand Chancellor who will submit an annual report of their activities to the Executive Council.
f. Any member of the Supreme Council who resigns his Grand Office or becomes incapable of fulfilling the duties required of him as a member of the Supreme Council shall be removed from that Council by decree of the Grand Master.
g. A member of the Supreme Council who fails to attend a Supreme Council Meeting for two consecutive times unless "force majeure" (which should be specified) shall forfeit his seat forthwith. No proxy is permissible and presence must be in person. Members of the Supreme Council whose service is terminated for any reason whatsoever may be appointed Supreme Council Emeritus or not at the discretion of the Grand Master.
h. No member of the Supreme Council may hold two appointments on the Council at the same time.
i. The quorum for a Supreme Council meeting shall be not less than six members including the Grand Master or the Coadjutor. Should a quorum of six members not be reached, the meeting is proceeded with after thirty minutes when those present will form a quorum providing that either the Grand Master or the Coadjutor is present. If neither of these high dignitaries is present, the meeting will be proceeded with under the chairmanship of the senior member present who will present a report to the Grand Master.

5.6 EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

a. The Executive Council will consist of:

b. The Coadjutor shall be the Chairman of the Executive Council.
c. The Executive Council shall meet at least once every calendar year and/or at discretion of the Grand Master in order to examine the affairs and accounts of the Order in general and report therewith to the Grand Master. The Executive Council shall also discuss, advise and assist the Grand Master in the execution of matters of policy.
d. The quorum for a meeting of the Executive Council shall not be less than three members.

5.7 DUTIES OF SENIOR HIGH OFFICERS AND GRAND SECRETARIES

Their relative duties shall be:

5.8 SlGNATURE ON DOCUMENTS

a. Grand Magisterial Decrees regarding membership of the Supreme Council must be signed by: Grand Master, President of the Supreme Council, Grand Chancellor and Referendary.
b. All other Grand Magisterial Decrees and Diplomas in respect of Heads of Jurisdiction and membership of the Order and matters relating to administration matters must be signed by: Grand Master, Grand Chancellor or one member of the Supreme Council and the Referendary.
c. In all cases unless the above documents bear the signatures indicated, they shall be declared null and void.

5.9 JURISDICTIONS

a. The Order is divided into a number of Jurisdictions that vary in name but all are equal in rank and status. They form part of the Government of the Order and are commanded by Grand Bailiffs, Grand Priors, Grand Commanders, Bailiffs, Priors, Commanders, Delegates and Hereditary Commanders.
b. Jurisdictions may in turn be divided into dependant sub-jurisdictions called Commanderies or Delegations, but such are always subject to their Head of Jurisdiction.
c. A local Jurisdiction in the process of forming will be designated a Delegation and it takes its place after all other sub-jurisdictions.
d. There shall be no distinction between Bailiwicks and Priories, Grand Bailiwicks and Grand Priories and Grand Commanderies as these terms have historically been used in the Order except as provided herein. All Jurisdictions called Bailiwicks, Priories or Commanderies are by nature the same, and the foregoing terms may be used interchangeably as best suits the requirements of the local jurisdiction. The terms Grand Bailiwicks and Grand Priories may also be interchangeable as best suits the requirements of the local jurisdiction, but those terms are normally limited to jurisdictions which are divided internally into Commanderies or Delegations and sub-jurisdictions of the national one, or which have within their geographic boundaries one or more Hereditary Commanderies, notwithstanding the fact the latter do not depend from the local Grand Bailiwick or Grand Priory, but directly from the Grand Master.
e. Heads of Jurisdiction, duly appointed and approved, are acting as the direct representatives of the Order's Government. They are the only ones responsible for all matters and activities, official and unofficial, for finances and membership within their national Jurisdiction as well as for its depending sub-jurisdictions, according to the Constitution and Statutes of the Order. They may delegate as necessary to their deputy and Chancellor.
f. Heads of Jurisdictions may appoint from suitable Members a Receiver-General, Hospitaller and Almoner and such additional local officers as may be required. They may appoint similar such officers for sub-jurisdictions under their control, including their heads, or they may delegate such power to the heads of the sub-jurisdictions.
g. Heads of Jurisdictions may appoint from the various clerical Members a Spiritual Prior.
h. On a change of Head of Jurisdiction or sub-jurisdiction all officers of such are subject to re-appointment. They hold their appointment at the pleasure of the Head of their Jurisdiction.
i. Sub-jurisdictions do not form part of the Government of the Order, but all officers of such will retire on similar terms and conditions as members of the Government of the Order. Any extension being granted by the Head of Jurisdictions.
j. Each Jurisdiction should possess a national flag and an Order flag of same size and material, a Processional Cross (Maltese Cross), a ceremonial sword, and some green velvet cushions for carrying the sword and decorations.

5.10 HEREDITARY COMMANDERIES

a. According to ancient customs the following traditional Hereditary Commanderies are known, installed centuries ago, but not at all times active: Boigny (near Orleans; France), Burton Lazar (England), de la Motte des Courtils (France), Saint Francois de Bailleu (France), Askely-Kloster (Sweden) and some others.
b. All other Hereditary Commanderies existing today have been installed during the last two decades by the late Grand Master, D. Francisco de Borbon y de Borbon, and are known as new Hereditary Commanderies.
c. According to ancient customs new Hereditary Commanderies are limited in their number of Members and of these more than 50 percent must belong to the family of the petitioner and first appointed Hereditary Commander.
d. Hereditary Commanders may appoint, with written approval of the Grand Chancellor, from suitable Members only one deputy (Vice-Commander) and one Chancellor.
e. The installation of a new Hereditary Commandery is at the discretion of the Grand Master on written petition only. This petition must include the certified will of the petitioner to dedicate a building (house, church or chapel) together with appropriate land to the Order, the proposed name of the Hereditary Commandery, and the consent of the Head of the local Jurisdiction (if applicable). This petition has to be channeled through the Grand Chancery to the Grand Master.
f. If the dedicated building and/or land is lost for the Order’s use, the Hereditary Commandery will be revoked.
g. In the case of death or retirement of a Hereditary Commander the assembly of all Members, belonging to the family of the Hereditary Commander, must elect a successor and forward their proposal to the Grand Chancellor. The new Hereditary Commander will be appointed by the Grand Master with Magisterial Decree.

 

Part 2

Statutes

Chapter 6 - Administration

6.1 GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

a. All statutes and decrees of the Central Government of the Order, and of the Grand Master, shall be promulgated through the office of the Grand Chancellor, who shall forward copies of each such statute or decree to the Head of each Jurisdiction within the Order, and to such additional persons within the Order as may be required to ensure full distribution of such statute or decree. lt shall be the responsibility of each Jurisdiction within the Order to establish procedures for such jurisdiction which shall ensure that each Member of the Order in that Jurisdiction receives notice of each statute or decree promulgated.
b. All orders emanating from the Grand Master, whether issued direct or through the Coadjutor, shall be promulgated through the Grand Chancery.
c. No Jurisdiction within the Order shall without the prior written approval of the Grand Master or the Central Government of the Order solicit, circularise or otherwise contact the Members and Affiliates of any other subordinate Jurisdiction within the Order on any matter dealing with the Order, in the absence of the written consent of the Head of the subordinate Jurisdiction whose Members are to be contacted. Where consent has been given to such contact by the Head of the Jurisdiction whose Members are to be contacted, the Head of the Jurisdiction making the contact shall report in writing to the Grand Chancery the purpose for such contact. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the communication between officers or individual members of different Jurisdictions.
d. All voting within the Order shall be in person. No written proxy shall be recognised except in the case of Heads of Jurisdictions each of whom has a seat on the Grand Magisterial Council. When any of such officers is unable to attend a meeting of the Grand MagisteriaI Council he may appoint in writing a proxy who may attend and vote in his place and stead.

6.2 ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCES

a. The year of the Order will be 1st January to 31st December annually; the financial year will be the same.
b. An annual report covering the following will be submitted to the Grand Chancery to reach it by 31st March and will be accompanied by all payments due. All accounts will be audited by a qualified and independent auditor:

c. On all annual oblations Jurisdictions will retain the approved amount and remit the balance to the Grand Chancery by the 30th April.
d. On passage money (entry fees) Jurisdictions will retain the approved amount and remit the balance to the Grand Chancery with the applications to join.
e. On all promotions Jurisdictions will remit the amount in full to the Grand Chancery with the application for promotion.
f. On chapter 6, section 2 d and e above no approval will be given without receipt of the appropriate fees.
g. Donations may be retained in full by the national Jurisdictions.
h. If sub-jurisdictions are established depending to a local Jurisdiction, all fees and annual oblations have to be paid directly to the local Jurisdiction.
i. The approved amount for retention is for administrative purposes and each Jurisdiction will settle the amount between Jurisdictions and sub-jurisdictions itself.

6.3 STATUTES OF JURISDICTIONS

Heads of Jurisdictions may make statutes for the good administration of their Jurisdiction but such statute may not contain any authority that disagrees with the decrees and statutes of the Order which will always be the main ruling authority.

6.4 COMPLAlNTS AGAlNST SENIOR OFFICERS

a. Where a subordinate officer has a complaint against his superior officer he may complain to higher authority only through that officer; he must also give the superior officer of who he makes complaints a copy of the letter he wishes to have transmitted to higher authority.
b. A senior officer may not receive direct the complaint of a junior officer about that officer's superior, who is junior to the said higher ranking officer. If he receives such a complaint he is duty bound to return it to the junior officer concerned, while at the same time making known to the person who is the subject of the complaint, the action taken and the nature of the complaint.


Chapter 7 - Membership Regulations

7.1 APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHlP

a. Every applicant for membership of the Order shall submit his application in duplicate through his local (national) Jurisdiction on forms provided by the Order. Applications shall be accompanied by a certified copy of the applicant’s Baptismal Certificate and other documents as specified on the application form.
b. One copy of the application and a certified copy of the Baptismal Certificate will be submitted to the Grand Chancellor, duly signed and sealed by the senior officers of the Jurisdiction.

7.2 MEMBERSHIP IN THE CATEGORY OF JUSTICE

a. Applicants for the category of Justice shall submit their arms and a sworn petition listing each of the applicants' ascendants to that ascendant whose nobility and status can be established beyond a reasonable doubt. Each generation listed in the petition shall be supported by satisfactory proof, and shall show the dates and places of birth, marriage and death, where applicable, of the persons named.
b. Each Jurisdiction within the Order shall establish its own criteria for admission in the category of Justice and shall file with the Grand Chancellor a copy of such criteria, which must meet the minimum requirements and be approved by the Grand Master.
c. According to ancient traditions Ecclesiastical Members of the Order holding the rank of a Cardinal within the Holy Roman Catholic Church may be admitted in the category of Justice, as they are by protocol known as "Princes of the Roman Catholic Church".
d. The Cross of Justice gives no particular quality to a Knight or Dame since all are equal; it is a simple symbol of a tradition and reminds of what the Order was throughout its ancient history.

7.3 GENERAL RULES

a. Women may be admitted to the Order in like manner to men. In order that there shall be no distinction between the sexes, women shall be accorded the same rights and privileges and shall be subject to the same rules as their male counterparts in the Order. With the rank of Dame or higher the Military Trophy above the Cross is replaced by a wreath of Laurel and Oak sprigs in green enamel with a white enameled "SLJ" monogram in the centre.
b. At times it may be desirable to grant wives the same rank as their husbands and vice-versa, granted on the basis of motu proprio by the Grand Master.
c. Mmembership in the Order is for life.
d. Those Members who fail to participate in the hospitaller, ecumenical, or other good works of the Order, and who fail to pay their oblations shall be transferred to the list of inactive members. Each Jurisdiction shall review its membership list annually and report to the Grand Chancery the names of those Members transferred to the inactive list pursuant to this section. Such will be included in the yearly report of the Jurisdiction. Inactive members will no longer be asked to contribute to the work of the Order, and will not be given notice of any assemblies of the Order. Inactive members may wear the insignia and uniform of the Order on suitable occasions where social custom demands the wearing of such. Being at least three years inactive Members may be expelled on demand of the Head of Jurisdiction by the Grand Chancery according to chapter 2, section 11.
e. Inactive Members may be transferred to the active list upon petitioning the Grand Chancery stating the reasons for requesting such transfer and submitting a certificate from the Receiver General of the national Jurisdiction involved that the member has paid all his oblations to date since his last payment before being placed on the inactive list.
f. All Members wishing to resign or retire must inform the Head of Jurisdiction by 1st November failing which they may be liable for the following year's oblation.
g. When for reasons which must be duly specified by the Member and approved by the Grand Master, a Member cannot or does not wish to form part of the national Jurisdiction wherein he resides, or of another national Jurisdiction, he shall form part of the Order "in gremio religionis" and shall fall directly under the jurisdiction of the Grand Chancery.
h. Each Member shall report himself or herself to their national Jurisdiction annually. Where for whatever reason it is not possible to report to their Jurisdiction, the Member shall report in writing to the Grand Chancery. Any Member or Affiliate who fails to so report for two consecutive years shall be deemed to have become inactive. Payment of annual oblations shall be deemed to be on annual report.
i. As a rule each Member forms part of his national Jurisdiction. If this Jurisdiction is divided into sub-jurisdictions the Member may join one sub-jurisdiction acting in its region. If a Member wishes to be transferred from one sub-jurisdiction to another one belonging to the national Jurisdiction, this may be performed on written approval of the Head of Jurisdiction only.
j. Members forming part of a national Jurisdiction wishing to join a Hereditary Commandery and vice versa may be transferred on written petition, approved by both the Head of Jurisdiction and the Hereditary Commander, and with written authorisation of the Grand Chancery only.
k. Members living in a country different from that in which they live are ipso facto honorary Members of the Jurisdiction in which they live and are expected to take part in all the work and assemblies of that Jurisdiction. They shall have no right to vote in the Jurisdiction in which they are honorary Members. This section shall not apply to Members who have requested or may hereafter request transfer from the Jurisdiction of their residence to another Jurisdiction, as such Members shall have no rights whatever in respect of the Jurisdiction from which they were transferred, however, no Member shall be transferred from the Jurisdiction of his residence to another Jurisdiction if an active Jurisdiction exists in the country of the Members residence except in exceptional cases where the express permission of the Grand Chancery has been obtained. Members may be transferred to the Jurisdiction within which they reside upon written request to the Grand Chancery for such transfer.
l. As a rule it is desirable, that after resignation or death of a Member his Insignia should be returned to the Head of Jurisdiction to which the Member belonged.
m. The appropriate Insignia for Members are as follows:

 

MLJ / OLJ

CLJ

 

Cross of Justice

KLJ / KCLJ / GCLJ - DLJ / DCLJ / DGCLJ

n. The rank of Grand Gross is a mark of highest distinction. This rank is strictly reserved to Heads of State, Prime and State Ministers, Governors, Generals etc., and Members of the Supreme Council, and to Heads of Jurisdiction who have served the Grand Master faithfully.
o. The rank of Ecclesiastical Grand Cross is reserved to Cardinals, Patriarchs, (Arch)Bishops and Abbots of all Christian denominations.
p. The rank of Knight (Dame) Commander is reserved to Heads of Jurisdiction and to those Members of the Order who have not held office, but have served the Order ten or more years as Knights (Dames).
q. Traditionally the following addresses, prefixes and postnominals are used within the Order:

Rank

Address

Prefix

Postnominal

Member

Confrere/Consœur

none

MLJ

Officer

Confrere/Consœur

none

OLJ

Assistant Chaplain

Reverend

Chaplain

AChLJ

Commander

Confrere/Consœur

Commander

CLJ

Chaplain

Right Reverend

Chaplain

ChLJ

Knight

Chevalier

Chevalier

KLJ

Dame

Dame

Dame

DLJ

Senior Chaplain (KLJ)

Very Reverend

Chaplain

SChLJ

Knight Commander

Chevalier

Chevalier

KCLJ

Dame Commander

Dame

Dame

DCLJ

Senior Chaplain (KCLJ)

Most Reverend

Chaplain

SChLJ

Knight Grand Cross

His Excellency

Chevalier

GCLJ

Dame Grand Cross

Her Excellency

Dame

DGCLJ

Ecclesiastical Grand Cross/
Chaplain Prelate

His Excellency or
His Eminence

Chaplain Prelate

EGCLJ

r. With the rank of Senior Chaplain or higher the Military Trophy above the Cross is replaced by a wreath.

7.4 FUNERAL OF DECEASED MEMBERS

The Order shall participate in funeral rites only at the specific request of the deceased Member’s representative.


Chapter 8 - Other Decorations of the Order

8.1 COMPANIONATE OF MERIT

a. The Companionate of Merit is open to those meriting well of the Order without distinction of religion, nationality, race, language or sex, also to Members of the Order. The Companionate of Merit may be conferred by the Grand Master motu proprio, or by him on the recommendation of Heads of Jurisdiction, made to the Grand Master through the Grand Chancery.
b. The Grand Master may establish by decree such other procedures as may be appropriate for the awarding of the Companionate of Merit.
c. The award of the Companionate of Merit does not constitute membership in the Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem nor does it confer a knightly title, and holders are not entitled to wear the Church Cape (Mantle) of the Order.
d. The awards in the Companionate of Merit shall be from junior to senior:

Order’s Standard

International Standard

Member in the Companionate of Merit (MMLJ)

Knight/Dame of Merit

Officer in the Companionate of Merit (OMLJ)

Officer of Merit

Commander in the Companionate of Merit (CMLJ)

Commander of Merit

Knight/Dame in the Companionate of Merit (KMLJ/DMLJ)

Grand Officer of Merit

Ecclesiastical Grand Cross in the Companionate of Merit (EGCMLJ)

Grand Cross of Merit

Knight/Dame Grand Cross in the Companionate of Merit (GCMLJ/DGCMLJ)

Grand Cross of Merit


MMLJ (silver)
OMLJ (gold)

CMLJ (silver)
KMLJ (gold)

GCMLJ

e. Ladies in the Companionate of Merit do not have the crossed swords between the limbs of the cross.
f. The ribbon of ecclesiastical Members in the Companionate of Merit is differenced by a central black stripe. Ecclesiastical holders do not have the crossed swords between the limbs of the cross.

8.2 OTHER AWARDS OF THE ORDER

Other Awards of the Order are the following:

8.3 CROSSES OF MERIT OF THE ORDER

a. The Crosses of Merit of the Order may be conferred only upon Members of the Order performing meritorious conduct.
b. The awards of the Crosses of Merit of the Order shall be from junior to senior:

  • Bronze Cross of Merit (BCrLJ)

  • Silver Cross of Merit (SCrLJ)

  • Golden Cross of Merit (GCrLJ)

8.4 MEDALS OF MERIT OF THE ORDER

a. The Medals of Merit of the Order may be conferred upon Members of the Order and on those performing meritorious conduct.
b. The awards of the Medals of Merit of the Order shall be from junior to senior:

  • Bronze Medal of Merit (BMLJ)

  • Silver Medal of Merit (SMLJ)

  • Gold Medal of Merit (GMLJ)

8.5 DONAT CROSSES OF THE ORDER

Donat 3rd Cl.

Donat 2nd Cl.

Donat 1st Cl.

a. A category of Donat shall be open to all whose munificence has been of signal assistance in the charitable works of the Order, including Members of the Order. They shall be in three classes. Their insignia shall be a three limbed Cross edged with silver for the third class, edged with gold surmounted by a Military Trophy for the second class, and edged with gold surmounted by the antique crown of the Order for first class. The same shall depend in each case from a neck ribbon of amaranthine red with a narrow green stripe down the center and edged with gold. The same badges will be worn by the appropriate ranks on the church capes.

b. The awards of the Donat Crosses of the Order shall be from junior to senior:

c. The award of the Donat Cross does not constitute membership in the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem nor does it confer any knightly title, but holders of the Donat Cross are entitled to wear the Church Cape (Mantle) of the Order.

8.6 MERITORIOUS SERVICE DECORATION OF THE ORDER

a. The Meritorious Service Decoration (MSDLJ), instituted in July 1984 by the late Grand Master, D. Francisco de Borbon y de Borbon, may be conferred to any Member of the Order, who has completed twenty years continuous service as an official office bearer to recognize the extraordinary amount of time given to the Order.
b. It must be expressly noted, that this decoration is not simply for being a member for twenty years.

8.7 THE CRUSADER’S MEDAL OF THE ORDER

a. The Crusader’s Medal (traditionally called Pilgrim’s Shell; PSLJ) may be conferred to any Member or Affiliate of the Order recognizing his pilgrimage to the Holy Land. This pilgrimage must have been under religious auspices and must include at least three of the major sites in the Holy Land (like the old city of Jerusalem with Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre; the Tomb and Church of St. Lazarus in the village of Bethany; the birthplace of Our Lord in Bethlehem; the cities of Nazareth and of St. Joan d’Arc).

b. Holders of the Crusader’s Medal are, according to ancient customs, entitled to affix a woven model of the Badge in the centre of the Cross on their Church Cape.

8.8 COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS

a. National jurisdictions empowered to organize Grand Magisterial Council Meetings (or other important events) of the Order are authorized to issue Commemorative Medals to commemorate such events. Commemorative Medals may be conferred to any participating person. The design of such a Commemorative Medal must be approved by the office of the Judge of Arms of the Order. They may not be worn on uniform other than national custom.
b. The following Commemorative Medals have been issued since 1973 with the approval of the late Grand Master, D. Francisco Enrique de Borbon y de Borbon:

In addition, the following Commemorative Medal has been issued:

 

 

 

Malta 1973

Scotland 1974

Salzburg 1979 - Salzburg 1981 - Washington 1984 - Vienna 1988 - Salzburg 1990 - St. Pölten 1999

Obverse - Reverse

Obverse - Reverse

Obverse - Reverse always the same

8.9 THE CHAIN OF THE ORDER

a. The Chain of the Order is a badge of office and may be worn by Members of the Supreme Council, Grand Secretaries, Heads of Jurisdiction, deputies and Chancellors only and by Heads of Sub-jurisdictions on receipt of a brevet appointing them to that position.
b. Once any of the above, other than Members of the Supreme Council, cease to hold such office, that person will no longer be entitled to wear the Chain of the Order. The Chain will be worn as is without backing, ribbons etc.
c. Any person, Member of the Order and holding a Grand Magisterial Decree authorising him to wear the Chain of Office predating this decree may continue to do so for life.

 

Part 3

General Regulations

Chapter 9 - Other Banners, Ensigns and Seals

9.1 OTHER BANNERS, ENSIGNS, PINSIL AND STANDARD OF THE ORDER

a. The Banners of Jurisdictions are: The banner of the Order, differenced with an appropriate device in the dexter chief canton. Such devices must be approved by the Judge of Arms of the Order.
b. The Ensigns of the Order are: Argent the full arms of the Order, golden fringed for members of the Supreme Council, silver fringed for Heads of national Jurisdictions, unfringed for all other officers of the Order.
c. The Pinsil of the Order is: Argent with the arms of the Order in the center.
d. The Standard of the Order is: in the hoist, argent a cross vert: in the fly, argent semee of crosses of eight beatitudes vert, two bands azure bearing the motto "Atavis et Armis".
e. All Banners and Ensigns used within the Order must be registered at the office of the Judge of Arms of the Order.

Banner of a Jurisdiction (Malta)

Standard of the Order

9.2 SEALS USED WITHIN THE ORDER

a. The Privy Seals of the Grand Master and of the Coadjutor are:
The full personal arms of the Grand Master or of the Coadjutor, encircled by the inscription "The Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem" and "Grand Master" or "Coadjutor", all written in one of the official languages of the Order.

b. The Seals of the members of the Supreme Council and of the Grand Secretaries are:
The cross of eight points encircled by the Collar of the Order, all encircled by the inscription "The Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem" and the office or function of the bearer in one of the official languages of the Order.

c. The Seals of Jurisdictions are:
The arms of the Order encircled by the inscription "The Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem", the name of the Jurisdiction and the office or function of the bearer, all either in one of the official languages of the Order or in the language spoken in the country of the jurisdiction. Only Heads of Jurisdictions (e.g. Grand Priors, Grand Bailiffs, Priors, Bailiffs, Commanders, Delegates, Hereditary Commanders), their acting deputies and Chancellors are entitled to use such seals.
d. All seals used within the Order must be registered at the office of the Judge of Arms of the Order.


Chapter 10 - Uniforms of the Order

10.1 GENERAL RULES

a. Whilst the purchase and wearing of uniforms is optional, the wearing of Church Capes (Mantles) and appropriate insignia is a requirement at Investitures and Patronal Services.

b. Since the Order is world wide and international with Members belonging to various nationalities and having some differing customs in dress, certain flexibility must be allowed and therefore alterations, in minor details or design are permitted, provided that all Members in a national Jurisdiction wear the same design in dress.

c. The uniforms of the Order for gentlemen are:

d. On all formal occasions ladies are expected to wear long black dress with full sleeves, with a Mantilla and comb.
e. Military or other national uniforms may replace the uniforms of the Order and be worn at all ceremonial events.

10.2 TYPES OF UNIFORMS

Full Dress Uniform

Dress Uniform

Evening Uniform

Evening Uniform

a. Full Dress Uniform: Whilst this uniform may be worn by all Members, by custom it is the former standard dress of the Spanish Jurisdiction. Details from Prior of Spain.
b. Dress Uniform: White tunic, cut in single-breasted military style, with dark green facings and dark green cuffs (4" wide all round the sleeve), gold shoulder straps. Four large buttons and three small on each sleeve, worn over a white shirt with black knot tie.
c. Evening Uniform (or Mess Kit): Dark rifle green Mess-Jacket ("Monkey jacket"), white facing (lapels), shoulder straps in green, edged with gold, black waistcoat with three gilt buttons, worn over a white shirt with black bow tie. Six large gilt buttons and two small on each sleeve of the jacket.
d. Trousers for the uniforms mentioned before: Overalls (i.e. tight military cavalry type trousers) or trousers, black, with gold stripe, 1¼" wide (black evening trousers may be worn).
e. Spurs: When Overalls are worn, Golden spurs may be worn.
f. Scottish Members of the Order may wear full Highland dress in lieu of uniforms mentioned above.
g. Sword: When worn, is a Court Sword, or, where appropriate, a Highland Broadsword with Crosspiece on occasions of religious or indoor ceremonial nature, otherwise with Basket-hilt lines in the colours of the Order of green and white and with a green sword-knot.
h. Head Dress: Black cocked hat, with feathers for Grand Officers and Heads of Jurisdictions. A green Beret with a green enamel cross of the Order may be worn with the Evening Uniform.
i. Belt and Sword: The wearing of the belt and sword with the Full Dress Uniform is obligatory but optional with the Dress Uniform. The belt and sword will not be worn with the Evening Uniform.
j. Buttons and Badges: The buttons and badges of rank used on the uniforms shall be of the design approved for the whole Order.

10.3 CHURCH CAPE (MANTLE)

Church Cape (or Mantle): Black, lined with green silk, green cross embroidered on left shoulder, edged with gold, secured with gilt clasp and chain, and three buttons.

10.4 THE WEARlNG OF DIFFERENT UNIFORMS

a. The Full Dress or Dress Uniform is worn at all occasions when the Grand Master is present and on all ceremonial occasions (e.g. Investitures, etc.) of the Order. It may also be worn at official functions at which the Order is officially represented.
b. The Evening Uniform is worn at the functions of the Order held after sunset.
c. Full Dress or Dress Uniform and Evening Uniform are equal to white or black tie; after sunset also a Dinner Jacket may be worn.
d. The Church Cape (or Mantle) is worn on church occasions, processions, lnvestitures, funerals of Members, etc., at which the Order is officially represented. lt may be worn over the uniform or civilian dress.

10.5 SHOULDER EPAULETTES

a. Shoulder epaulettes shall be worn by Members while in the uniform of the Order: As used in this section, the term "cross" shall refer to the green cross of eight points. The crosses shall be of enameled metal in a size prescribed by the Grand Master.
b. The following shoulder epaulettes must be used:

c. Epaulettes may be either interwoven cords or flat boards with the relevant rank insignia.


Chapter 11 - The Wearing of Decorations

11.1 GENERAL RULES

a. Members promoted within the Order, the Companionate of Merit and the Donat Crosses of the Order wear only the highest class.
b. Persons who have been decorated with the Crosses and/or Medals of Merit may wear the insignia of all the classes they have been awarded.
c. Not more than one Collar or Chain of Office may be worn at any time.
d. Not more than one Cordon, four breast stars or one neck cross at any time, except full military uniform when two neck crosses may be worn.
e. Church capes: No decorations except Collar or Chain of Office on ceremonial occasions may be worn.
f. Full size insignia are worn with dress or military uniform, miniatures with mess dress.

Evening Dress

Day Dress

g. Regulations for Ladies:

  • The Cordon is worn over the shoulder with the Badge on the hip with Evening Dress only.

  • Neck decorations as well as breast decorations are worn from a ribbon bow above the Breast Star.

  • Breast Stars are worn with evening dress as described for the Full Dress uniform, but with Day Dress only one may be worn.

h. When Ladies wear uniform, the same regulations apply as for Gentlemen

11.2 FORMAL SUIT (WHITE TIE, BLACK TIE, GALA UNIFORM AND LONG DRESS)

a. Full sized insignia:
Holders of Collar:
wear the Collar together with the Cordon with the Insignia of a Grand Cross suspended from it and the Breast Star

Holders of the Grand Cross:
wear the Cordon with the Badge suspended from it and the Breast Star

Knight/Dame Commanders:
wear the Cordon with the badge suspended from it and the Breast Star

Knights/Dames:
wear the Badge pendant from a ribbon - ladies from a ribbon bow - and the Breast Star

Commanders:
wear the Badge pendant from a ribbon - ladies from a ribbon bow

Officers:
wear the Badge pendant from a chest ribbon with rosette - ladies from a ribbon bow

Members and Holders of Order’s Awards:
wear the Badge pendant from a chest ribbon - ladies from a ribbon bow

The Chain of Office will be worn additional to the insignia awarded.
The Cross of Justice will be worn on the right breast.
At special occasions Grand Crosses and Grand Commanders may wear the decorations of a Grand Officer.

b. Miniatures
Miniatures are the exact reproduction on a smaller scale of the badges and ribbons (reduced versions) and they are worn with gala suit and dinner jacket on a bar or chain and ladies from a miniature ribbon bow or miniature brooch on the left hand side of the chest.

11.3 DAY SUIT

a. On day suit may be worn by male members, according to their class, a rosette on the buttonhole of the jacket.

b. The following rosette may be worn by the rank indicated to signify membership in the Order:

c. At a date fixed by the Grand Chancellor in accordance with the Custodian of Insignia, the colour of the buttonhole rosette will be changed from black to the traditional Order’s green, with a green cross of eight points thereon. From that published date there will be two different sized buttons without any threads: a small one for Members, Officers and Commanders, and a larger one for all other ranks.
Both types of rosettes may be worn.
d. Members, both male or female, may wear on day suit one miniature appropriate to their rank, but without ribbon, to signify membership in the Order.

11.4 NATIONAL CUSTOMS

The method wearing orders, decorations and medals by members of a national Jurisdiction shall be governed by the state rules obtaining in that country. Heads of Jurisdiction are advised to include in their Jurisdiction’s Dress Regulations (with copy to the Grand Chancery) relevant extracts from the official notes on the wearing of orders, decorations and medals, issued by their national government (if available).


Chapter 12 - Armorial Bearings

12.1 GENERAL RULES

a. As an international and independent Order, formerly of sovereign status, the Order has the ability to regulate the use of heraldry within its own jurisdiction. However the Order takes note of varying heraldic customs worldwide, irrespective of actual legal control or lack thereof.
b. Although no Member of the Order is required to be or become a bearer of heraldic arms, it is desirable that the heraldic tradition should continue within the Order, both as an evocation of its history and as a significant adjunct to the Order’s ceremonial.

12.2 ADDITIONS FOR MEMBERS

The following additions are permitted to the arms of Members of the Order:

Ranks below that of Knight suspend the insignia of the Order beneath their coats of arms.

 

Knights shall show the green ribbon surrounding the shield, with the badge of the Order dependent therefrom.
Knights and above may carry the ancient and traditional Chief of Religion.

Knight Commanders and Knights Grand Cross shall replace the ribbon around the shield with the Cordon (Sash) of the Order.

 

Knight Commanders and Knights Grand Cross entitled to wear the Collar shall replace the ribbon around the shield with the Grand Collar of the Order.

The rules for Knights, Dames and Ecclesiastical Members are the same.

12.3 ADDITIONS FOR GRAND OFFICERS

In addition to the foregoing, the following additions may be used, according to ancient traditions, by the officers indicated:

The Grand Custodian of the Treasury:
The Grand Chancellor:
The Grand Commander:
The Coadjutor:

Two keys in saltire behind the shield
Two maces in saltire behind the shield
A sword and sceptre in saltire behind the shield
A baton and sceptre in saltire behind the shield


Chapter 13 - Volunteer Corps

13.1 GENERAL RULES REGARDING VOLUNTEER CORPS

a. Where formed, these will be controlled by a mixed commission from the Order in the country concerned and the members elected from the Corps. The financial responsibilities will lie with these associations, although as far as within the power of the Order, financial assistance will be afforded to them. Medical Direction shall be under a Medical Director who will be either the Hospitaller of the local Jurisdiction or appointed by him.
b. Volunteer Corps are also open to members not belonging to the Order.
c. In all countries and especially in those, where it is not possible by laws to register (or charter) a national Jurisdiction of the Order as a juridical body itself, the Members of the Order have to found and register (or charter) a Volunteer Corps as a charitable association or society, called St. Lazarus Volunteers (translated and written in the language spoken in the country of the jurisdiction).
d. Within the country of a national Jurisdiction only one volunteer corps may be founded. All Members of the national Jurisdiction are obliged to become also members of that corps, and they as well as all other Members of the Order living in that country (e.g. members of foreign Jurisdictions, in gremio religionis or of Hereditary Jurisdictions) are obliged to cooperate with their utmost of ability and to contribute to the preservation, growth and splendour of the society and its charitable works.
e. In exceptional circumstances or if it is not possible to institute a Volunteer Corps, and with prior approval of the Grand Chancellor the only one registered (or chartered) national society may use another style like a foundation or association, open only to Members of the Order.

13.2 PRESIDENT OR CHAIRMAN

The head of the national Jurisdiction or a Member of the Order appointed by him has to act as President or Chairman of the society. Normally this chairman is responsible for the appointment of all members of the Board of the corps.

13.3 AWARDS OF MERIT

a. The Board of the Volunteer Corps is authorized to found - with the consent of the Head of the national Jurisdiction - Crosses and Medals of Merit which may be awarded to merited members and other persons. The design of such decorations must be approved by the office of the Judge of Arms of the Order.
b. The late Grand Master, D. Francisco Enrique de Borbon y de Borbon, has approved in 1982 the following decorations to be used and conferred by the Austrian Volunteer Corps (Sankt Lazarus Hilfswerk) only:

Cross of Merit 2nd Class
Cross of Merit 1st Class
Cross of Merit
(all golden)

Badge of Honour 2nd Class
Badge of Honour 1st Class
Badge of Honour
(all silver)

 

Bronze Medal of Merit
Silver Medal of Merit
Gold Medal of Merit
Medal for Special Engagement (copper)
Medal for Disaster Aid (copper)

Bronze Medal of Honour
Silver Medal of Honour
Gold Medal of Honour

c. The late Grand Master, D. Francisco Enrique de Borbon y de Borbon, has founded in 1984 the following medals to be used and conferred by the German Volunteer Corps (Lazarus Hilfswerk in Deutschland e.V.) only:

 

Bronze Medal of Merit
Silver Medal of Merit
Gold Medal of Merit

Bronze Medal of Honour
Silver Medal of Honour
Gold Medal of Honour

 

Poland Medal of Gratitude (silver)

 

13.4 UNIFORMS

Members of a national Volunteer Corps may wear the Service Dress (dark rifleman green trousers and tunic, black bonnet or beret) or a local uniform approved by the Head of the national Jurisdiction. Such uniforms must be registered by the Judge of Arms of the Order.

13.5 USE OF THE CROSS OF THE ORDER

The one Volunteer Corps (or other association) within each national Jurisdiction only is entitled to use the eight-pointed green cross as its badge.

13.6 ANNUAL REPORT

An annual report will be made covering the work of the Volunteers Corps, ambulance sections and nurses’ associations together with any other activity undertaken.

13.7 BANNER

The Banner of the Volunteer Corps is: Argent an eight-pointed cross Vert.

Banner of the Volunteer Corps

13.8 SEAL

 

a. The Seals of the Volunteers Corps are: The cross of eight points on a shield, encircled by the (registered) name of the Volunteers Corps and with the office or function of the bearer, inscribed in the language of the country the seal is used.
b. All seals used within the Volunteers Corps must be registered with the Judge of Arms.


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