GRAND PRIOR’S MESSAGE 25 MAY 2011

 

 

 

Chevaliers and Dames,

 

What a wonderful time we all had at our Investiture at Rochester Cathedral this May!

 

Not only was the event the most successful we have held for several years-with 16 new Knights, Dames and Companions being admitted and an even more impressive Honour Guard from our affiliated Army Regiment, 3PWRR but we now have an outstanding new Spiritual Protector in Canon Andrew White, Vicar of St Georges Baghdad, a truly brave and inspiring Pastor, whom we all welcomed by acclamation into the Order with its highest rank, that of Knight Grand Cross.

 

St George’s Baghdad will be a key overseas project for the UK Grand Priory, and it was a joy to be able to present Canon Andrew with a cheque for £600, raised in the raffle and by the kind generosity of a member a few hours before the Investiture.

 

At this time, our thoughts also turn to our Coptic Christian brothers and sisters facing persecution and an uncertain future in Egypt. Some of us will be revisiting the Coptic Cathedral of St George in the next few weeks and sharing in the ancient and moving worship of these wonderful members of our Christian family.  Their piety, devotion and steadfast adherence to tradition are truly humbling for us to behold.

 

The Order traditionally had close relations with the Hungarian National Guard, commanded by our last Grand Master, General Janos, a doughty fighter for his country’s freedom and a soldier who understood that democracy can be a fragile flower that needs to be fought for to flourish. It is now unclear to the UK Honorary officers what the future of that corps is. If our Order is to have links to any uniformed body, it must be to a working formation which is why we value our affiliation to 3PWRR so much.

 

Several of us have recently joined the CORPS ST LAZARUS INTERNATIONAL (CSLI) the Austrian-based uniformed humanitarian and civil defence organisation, which has much in common with the Salvation Army and St John Ambulance and runs air ambulances and rescue services in Central Europe. A UK Command has now been set up and is developing a role in the area of search dogs and other duties, and we welcome applications for membership from UK members of the Hungarian National Guard who are willing to get involved in what we do. This is not a club for uniform collectors, but needs to do serious work, so please do get in touch. It is hoped that the relationship with CSLI will replace that with the National Guard, so the uniform you see me wearing at next year’s investiture should be that of an Officer in CSLI!

  

We have also made an enormous stride forward in our goal to establish Commanderies throughout all 4 countries of the UK, with the establishment of our Scottish Commandery of The Rose and Thistle under CHEV STEPHEN CAMPBELL, who has much experience of charitable fundraising. He has a wonderful role model in Dame Muriel Taylor in the Duchy of Lancaster, and both Commanderies are encouraged to work together. I very much look forward to establishing a Commandery in Northern Ireland in the next couple of years and we will be looking for a suitable volunteer to get this off the ground.

 

We have an exciting programme ahead of us, with a Dinner at the House of Commons, a trip to Lords and other events lined up. I hope to see you all there!

 

On behalf of our Grand Patron, our Spiritual Protector and our Management team, thank you all for your support!

 

Grand Prior H.E. Simon McIlwaine GCStG.