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The Knightly Order of St. George

The Order of St George was founded by King Károly Róbert of Hungary in 1326 as a royal and military order of chivalry. It has since become an international and ecumenical fraternity, drawing its membership from various Christian denominations in Europe and North America.

Knights and Dames of St George uphold the virtues of chivalry and through their charitable trust provide a service to humanity by financially supporting hospices, orphanages, homes for the elderly and other worthy institutions in the UK and Eastern Europe.

Our Spiritual Protector is Rev Canon Andrew White GCStG ("The Vicar of Baghdad") who 'succeeded' (former) Bishop of Rochester, the Rt. Rev Dr. Michael Nasir-Ali in May 2011. Our British Knights and Dames include senior clergymen and prominent members of the business community with a commitment to philanthropic work and Christian witness.

In November 2006, a new United Kingdom Grand Priory was established, with the aim of providing an enhanced programme of charitable and social events. We hope you will find our website interesting and informative and a source of information about our forthcoming events.

Objectives of the Order

The aims of The Order are to assist the needy, both mentally and materially, and to uphold the Chivalric Code of Prowess, Justice, Loyalty, Defense, Courage, Faith and Humility. Members must continue the traditions instituted by the early Royal Military Order of St. George. They must provide a charitable service to humanity, support the underprivileged, hospitals, hospices, orphanages, homes for the elderly and other worthy institutions. They must reward the services rendered to humanity in all fields of human achievement.

Obligations of the Order

Members of the International Knightly Order Valiant of St George have always made a difference in their world, and pursue traditions of excellence by compassion and supporting various works of charity. Membership is based on equality regardless of Race, Creed or Gender. Membership is open to men and women, men as KStG, and ladies as DStG. An invitation to membership will have little to do with a person’s material success; rather it will be an acknowledgement of a person’s character and integrity.

Further details about membership

More on the History of the Order

Original Foundation Document

£2500 Donated towards Medical Relief for Coptic Christians

Saturday 15th June 2013.

The United Kingdom Grand Priory was delighted to hand over a cheque for £2,500 on a special visit to the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of St. George. The Order was received by His Grace Bishop Angaelos.

Pictured Below: His Grace Bishop Angaelos, Grand Patron Dame Iris J Karászy-Kulin, Grand Prior Simon McIlwaine, Deputy Grand Priors: H.E. Mark Haley, H.E. Roger D'Elia and H.E. Steve Nimmons, Dame Ann Doak, Chev. Mike Doak, Chev. John Snelgrove, Father Shenouda, Chev. Cllr Eddy Rowland and representatives from the Coptic community.

Delegation of the Order of St. George

His Grace Bishop Angaelos was also appointed an Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order at a special Investiture service at the Coptic Orthodox Centre. A special feature on the Investiture of his Grace will appear soon.

The Order was also delighted to welcome Cllr Eddy Rowland to membership. For the past two years Cllr Rowland has been the Mayor of Broxbourne.

Called to Order Investiture Edition June 2013

The June edition of "Called to Order", the quarterly newsletter of the Knightly Order of St. George has been published. The June edition is our Investiture edition and contains articles about our annual event at Rochester Cathedral.

You can also read about our work in Iraq and Egypt and catch up with all of our forthcoming fundraising and social events.

Members and friends are asked to distribute the newsletter (as appropriate) to interested parties. Thanks to H.E. Chev. Stuart Notholt GCStG for authoring the newsletter.

Called to Order, June Edition 2013 - Page 1 of 4

Called to Order June Edition Page 1 of 4

Called to Order, June Edition 2013 - Page 2 of 4

Called to Order June Edition Page 2 of 4

Called to Order, June Edition 2013 - Page 3 of 4

Called to Order, June Edition 2013 - Page 3 of 4

Called to Order, June Edition 2013 - Page 4 of 4

Called to Order, June Edition 2013 - Page 4 of 4

Get the PDF Download of the Newsletter.

Governor’s Review at the Royal Hospital Chelsea

Knights and Dames of the Order recently attended the annual Governor's Review at Chelsea's Royal Hospital. The reviewing officer was Lord Shuttleworth KCVO, Chairman of the Association of Lord Lieutenants. Members of the Order were pleased to be joined by friends and family.

Governor's Review, Royal Hospital Chelsea

The delegation was led by Deputy Grand Prior H.E. Roger D'Elia GCStG

A small voluntary contribution from each attendee from the Order raised £210 for the Royal Hospital.

The Following day the Grand Patron H.E. Dame Iris Karászy-Kulin MKN GCStG and Deputy Grand Prior H.E. Roger D'Elia GCStG attended Founder's Day at which HRH The Duchess of Cornwall was the reviewing officer.

Both days were blessed with superb weather and the Order is pleased to announce that as a consequence of those visits 2 new postulants have come forward and it has pleased the Grand Prior to graciously accept their petition.

The Order of St. George has been a Platinum Friend of the Royal Hospital at Chelsea since November 2011 and so far in 2013 has already made donations of over £5,000.

The Grand Prior is particularly keen that the Order continues to show its support to the Royal Hospital and looks forward to another successful year in that regard. The Order is continuing to develop the relationship with the Royal Hospital Chelsea through various initiatives, in particular providing volunteers to the hospital.

Master General receives Honorary Knight Grand Cross

Saturday 25th May 2013: Master General of The Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem Frà John Baron Dudley von Sydow von Hoff OStJ GCTS GCLJ GCMLJ SCLJ KV CMV GCStG Chairman of the Grand Council of the United Grand Priories of St. Lazarus received the rank of Honorary Knight Grand Cross.

Grand Prior Simon McIlwaine conferred the honour at the Investiture Service in Rochester Cathedral.

The Master General extended confraternal greetings on behalf of the United Grand Priories of St. Lazarus.

Master General of The Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem

£1500 donated to 3PWRR Benevolent Fund

Saturday 25th May 2013: Grand Prior Simon McIlwaine presented a cheque for £1500 to Third Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment Benevolent Fund.

3PWRR is our affiliated regiment and we are very proud of our close military association.

3PWRR representation at the Investiture

Officer from 3rd Batt. Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

Soldiers from 3rd Batt. Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment flanking the newly admitted Knights and Dame.

Soldiers from 3PWRR flanking the Postulants

In a week that brought the senseless and shocking murder of Drummer Lee Rigby, we feel truly honoured to be able to support the brave men and women of our armed forces as they continue the important work of building a just and lasting peace in some very troubled areas of the world.

Prayers were said for Lee Rigby's family.

Order Welcomes New Members

Saturday 25th May 2013: The Order Invested five new members at the annual Investiture Service at Rochester Cathedral and welcomed three existing Companions of the Order into full membership.

New members joining the Order of St. George

Companion Paul Michael Boxall was received as a Knight of the Order (KStG)

Companion Ian Smart was received as a Knight of the Order (KStG)

Companion Whitney Williams was admitted as a Dame of the Order (DStG).

Dame Whitney Williams DStG

Keith Bottomley, Michael Fahey, Frank Moxon, Gary Tame and Edward Rowlands were admitted as Knights of the Order (KStG).

The United Kingdom Grand Priory congratulates and warmly welcomes our new members.

2013 Investiture Service Appointment of Officers

The Appointment of the United Kingdom Grand Priory Officers

Saturday 25th May 2013: The Order announces the appointment of United Kingdom Grand Priory Officers for 2013/14.

Grand Prior H.E. Simon McIlwaine GCStG

Spiritual Protector of the Order, Canon Andrew White (right)

Deputy Grand Prior and Grand Chancellor of the Grand Priory

H.E. The Chevalier Mark D. Haley MKN GCStG CLJ MMLJ BSc.

Deputy Grand Priors

H.E. The Chevalier Howard Doe MKN GCStG

H.E. The Chevalier Roger C T D’Elia GCStG

Grand Treasurer and Deputy Grand Prior

H.E. The Chevalier Dr. Keith C. Williams GCStG

Grand Herald and Deputy Grand Prior

H.E. The Chevalier Eur Ing Steve Nimmons GCStG FBCS CITP FIET CEng FRI FRSA FIMIS FIAP FLS FSA Scot BSc. DIS.

Grand Hospitaller

H.E. Col. Dame Iris J Karászy-Kulin MKN GCStG GCLJ CMLJ

Chaplain General

The Chevalier The Reverend Martin Charles KCStG

Deputy Chaplain General

Rev Br. M Powell CJ KStG

Grand Director of Ceremonies

H.E. The Chevalier Christopher Hayward GCStG

Grand Marshals

The Chevalier Roger Joseph Ernest O’Brien KCStG.

The Chevalier I W Tough KCStG KLJ MMLJ JP

The Chevalier Robert Edward Landragin KStG

The Chevalier John Derek Snelgrove KStG

Grand Director of Music of the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom

H.E. The Chevalier Dr. Keith Salmon GCStG

Grand Archivist of the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom

H.E. The Chevalier Roger D’Elia GCStG

Grand Scrivener

H.E. The Chevalier Stuart Notholt GCStG

Deputy Grand Secretary

H.E. Dame A King GCStG CMLJ

Grand Sword Bearer

The Chevalier W.F. KCStG.

Grand Draper

Dame Ann Doak DCStG

Grand Warden of Regalia

The Chevalier Mike Doak KCStG

Grand Banner Bearers

The Chevalier Simon Evans KCStG.

The Chevalier Paul. A. Phillips KCStG.

Commander of the Thistle and Rose Commandery of Scotland

H.E. The Chevalier Stephen Campbell GCStG

Commander of the Commandery of the State of Georgia, United States of America

The Chevalier Anthony C. Williams KCStG

2013 Investiture Service Announcement of Promotions

Saturday May 25th 2013:

The Order congratulates the members listed on their promotions to the notified ranks below. These achievements reflect the hard work that each member has put in to the Order in the support of charity.

To the rank of Knight Grand Cross (GCStG):

H.E The Chevalier Roger D’Elia GCStG

H.E. The Chevalier Christopher Hayward GCStG

H.E. The Chevalier Stuart Notholt GCStG

H.E. The Chevalier Dr. Keith C. Williams GCStG

H.E. The Chevalier Stephen Campbell GCStG

H.E. The Chevalier Steve Nimmons GCStG was also formally presented with his Grand Cross sash.

To the rank of Dame Commander of the Order (DCStG)

Dame Ann Doak DCStG

To Knight Commander of the Order (KCStG)

The Chevalier Robert Alcorn KCStG

The Chevalier William Brand KCStG

The Chevalier Brian Cumming MBE KCStG

The Chevalier Michael Doak KCStG

The Chevalier Simon Evans KCStG

The Chevalier David Millar KCStG

The Chevalier Andrew Smith KCStG

The Chevalier Anthony C. Williams KCStG

2013 Investiture Service Appointment of Honorary Companions

Saturday 25th May 2013: The Order is delighted to announce the following appointments to the rank of Honorary Companion of the Order (CStG).

Samuel Christian D’Elia CStG

Dr. Richard Reyes MBBS, MS, FRCSE, FRCS(Eng) CStG is a Consultant Breast and General Surgeon from the United Kingdom. He trained at Westminster Hospital Medical School in London and qualified as a doctor in 1985. He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England just 4 years later in 1989.

Stephen Churchill CStG

Honorary Companions are appointed by invitation, after having made a recognised contribution to the work of the Order. Richard Wernick CStG was unable to attend the Investiture and will be invested at a later time.

2013 Investiture Service Choir and Music

Saturday 25th May 2013: The annual Investiture Service of the Order was held in the splendid surroundings of Rochester Cathedral. The standard of music was again exceptional and the Order thanks Grand Director of Music Dr. Keith J. Salmon GCStG and the Members of the Rochester Cathedral Choir and the University of Chichester Choir.

Investiture Choir at Rochester Cathedral

The first 'Choir Anthem' was an original composition "The Light of the World" By Dr. Keith J. Salmon GCStG.

The second 'Choir Anthem' was

Father Most Merciful

Panis Angelicus by Cesar Frank (a Four-Part Chorus of Mixed Voices with Piano Accompaniment).

The Order formally thanks:

Members of the Rochester Cathedral Choir and the University of Chichester Choir

Soprano Singers Charlotte Bolton & Annabell Clapham

Alto Singers Abigail King & Emily Cotton

Tenor Singers Ryan Williams & Shane Halterman

Bass Singers Sam Hoad & Hubert Hill-Reid

The Conductor H.E. The Chevalier Dr. Keith Salmon GCStG

The Organist Scott Farrell BA MA ARCO Director of music for Rochester Cathedral

As is tradition, the Order was also led into and out of the Cathedral by our piper.

Piper leading the Order from the Cathedral

Canon Andrew White thanks Order for Donation and Support

Saturday 25th May 2013: Canon Andrew White GCStG, vicar of Baghdad, Spiritual Protector of the Order thanked members for the continued generosity of their support of his work in Iraq. Canon Andrew addressed members at the annual service of Investiture at Rochester Cathedral in Kent.

Canon Andrew White at the Investiture Service on May 25th 2013

Canon Andrew White

The Order recently donated an ophthalmoscope to St. George's in Baghdad and Canon Andrew kindly took the pictures below of the equipment being used in the Baghdad clinic.

Ophthalmoscope donated by the Order being used in Baghdad clinic (thanks to Canon Andrew White for the pictures)

Ophthalmoscope donated by the Order being used in Baghdad clinic