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Inter faith visit to Coptic Centre in Stevenage

Dated: 27/06/2010

Members of the Order (many of whom are also members of the Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem) joined an Order of St. Lazarus delegation on Saturday on an inter faith visit to the Coptic Centre in Stevenage (by kind invitation of His Grace, Bishop Angaelos).

His Grace, Bishop Angaelos

The morning and early afternoon programme (as below) included the "The Liturgy of Saint Basil, Bishop of Caesaria", and was followed by a very fitting visit to the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of St. George.

10.30am Liturgy in Archangel Michael and St Anthony Coptic Orthodox Chapel in the Manor House (pictured below)
12.30pm Lunch
1.00pm Talk and tour of Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George

The Archangel Michael and St Anthony Coptic Orthodox Chapel in the Manor House

"Built in a characteristic cross shape and traditional Coptic style and decoration, the cathedral is complimented by modern functionality which will allow worshippers and visitors to enjoy a comfortable and uplifting spiritual experience.

The new building has distinctive Coptic elements such as a vaulted roof over the length of the structure, a traditional domed Coptic bell tower with Coptic design stationed over the church and crowned with a Coptic Cross. The interior of the cathedral is decorated with an iconostasis (icon bearer) and intricate, hand-carved woodwork which has all been designed and prepared by skilled craftsmen in Egypt. It frames beautiful specially-commissioned traditional Coptic icons dedicated to the saints of the church, creating an atmosphere of holiness within the quiet and peaceful surroundings and giving the feeling of our heaven on earth." [source: Coptic Centre Website]

A beautiful depiction in wood of St. George slaying the Dragon (St. Georges Coptic Cathedral)

St. George Slaying the Dragon

Another depiction of Saint George slaying the dragon (wonderfully embroidered)

Some of the Coptic Icons and exquisite wood carvings inside the Cathedral

Speaking about the importance and meaning of the visit: Grand Herald Chev. Steve Nimmons KCStG OLJ said: "it has been a moving experience and pleasure to join the visit and to share in the ancient traditions of the Coptic Faith. The openness, welcome and great sense of hospitality was truly wonderful, the visit to St. George's Cathedral and the very generous time given over to questions, provided the visitors with a greater depth of understanding of Coptic traditions and the persecution it sadly suffers in less tolerant regions of the world. The Cathedral is exceedingly impressive, as is the self-determination and self-assurance of the community, and the warmth and generosity of our welcome and acceptance."

Grand Prior H.E. Simon McIlwaine GCStG CLJ extended thanks on behalf of the Knightly Order Valiant of St. George to His Grace Bishop Angaelos. Noting "the importance of the inter faith work of the Order and the need for continued vigilance against religious intolerance and persecution", the Grand Prior also expressed a wish to "nurture the relationship between the Order and the Coptic Diaspora in the United Kingdom."

Annual Investiture Service Held at Rochester Cathedral

Dated: 23rd May 2010

The annual Service of Investiture of the International Knightly Order Valiant of St. George was held on Saturday May 22nd at Rochester Cathedral in Kent.

We were blessed once again this year with incredibly clement spring weather. It was a great pleasure to welcome the Officers and Honour Guard of our affiliated regiment, 3 Batt. The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment.

Soldiers from 3PWRR providing an Honour Guard at Rochester Cathedral

Knights and Dames processed into the cathedral led by a piper and representatives from 3PWRR.

During the service, lessons were read by H.E. Dame Muriel Taylor GCStG (Psalm 100), and by H.E. Col Dame Iris J Karaszy-Kulin MKN GCStG DCLJ CMLJ (Philippians Chapter One, Verses 2-7 and 9-11).

The choir sang a beautiful rendition of "God So Loved The World" by John Stainer, then giving the first public performance of a new hymn written by our Grand Director of Music Dr. Keith Salmon KCStG.

The Order was very pleased to welcome H.E. Paul Grant, Grand Master of the Military Order of the Sword of England to the service.

H.E. Paul Grant, Grand Master of the Military Order of the Sword of England pictured (below right) outside Rochester Cathedral

The sermon was delivered by Rev. Br. Michael Powell CJ KStG and eruditely reflected on modern values and the need for chivalric conduct in today's society. It explored 'gender stereotypes', the shallowness of 'fame seeking' and posed thought provoking questions on related subjects.

Rev. Br. Michael Powell CJ KStG being congratulated by the Grand Prior

Promotions within the Order were made, particular congratulations are extended to H.E. The Chevalier Simon McIlwaine MKN GCStG KL CLJ MMLJ MA FRSA FRSM ACIArb, H.E The Chevalier Mark Haley MKN GCStG CLJ MMLJ, BSc. and H.E. Dame Muriel Taylor GCStG, all having attained Knight Grand Cross.

H.E The Chevalier Mark Haley MKN GCStG CLJ MMLJ receives congratulations from H.E. Col Dame Iris J Karaszy-Kulin MKN GCStG DCLJ CMLJ

Grand Priory Officers were also formally appointed. The Order is particularly pleased to welcome H.E.The Chevalier Howard Doe MKN GCStG as Deputy Grand Prior.

H.E. Dame Muriel Taylor GCStG was also appointed as Commander of The Commandery of the Duchy Of Lancaster (our first regional Commandery in the United Kingdom). Dame Muriel was also appointed Director of Charitable Affairs and is pictured below being congratulated by Dame Iris.

We welcomed four new Knights and one Companion into the Order during the Investiture.

Postulants awaiting Investiture

We welcome our new Chevaliers most heartily and wish them a very long and successful association with our Order.

We also welcomed our first Companion of the Order (Ian Smart), who takes an historical 'pride of place'.

Chevalier Ronald Hughes KCSTG MMLJ OLJ (pictured below) was appointed Chaplain General of the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom and also promoted to Knight Commander. His son Rhys was instrumental in arranging the choir.

Dame Angela King GCStG CMLJ is pictured below being congratulated by the Grand Prior on her appointment as Deputy Grand Secretary of the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom

Chevalier Eur Ing Steve Nimmons KCStG OLJ FBCS CITP CEng FRSA FIMIS FIAP FLS FSA Scot BSc. DIS. was reaffirmed as Grand Herald of the United Kingdom Grand Priory.

The ceremony was a success in no small part due to our Marshals. Chevaliers Roger Joseph Earnest O’Brien KCStG and Chev I W Tough KCStG KLJ MMLJ JP are profoundly thanked for their exemplary work.

Chevalier Paul. A. Phillips KStG, who is doing splendid work and arranging our forthcoming trip to the Historic Portsmouth Dockyard was appointed Grand Banner Bearer of the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom.

The Service of Investiture concluded, we retired for luncheon. At the luncheon Chevalier Steve Nimmons proposed the toast to the Grand Prior, and in so doing presented the Grand Priory with a Humanitarian Silver Medal on behalf of the Red Cross Society of Mongolia. He went on to present an "Honorary Tar Heel" ("Honorary Citizen" of North Carolina) award to the Grand Prior on behalf of the Governor's Office in North Carolina. The Grand Prior proposed the toast to Grand Patron Dame Iris J Karaszy-Kulin MKN GCStG DCLJ CMLJ who replied with personal thanks to all who attended the Service and worked to make the Order such a success. H.E The Chevalier Mark Haley MKN GCStG CLJ MMLJ proposed the toast to the guests, and we were honoured to have H.E. Paul Grant, Grand Master of the Military Order of the Sword of England respond on behalf of the guests. H.E.The Chevalier Howard Doe MKN GCStG, Deputy Grand Prior proposed the toast to the new members. He explained the historical context of the Order and its centrality in defending freedom.

Grand Priory Extends Thanks to Investiture Choir

Dated: 23rd May 2010

The Grand Priory extends sincere gratitude to the choir who performed at our Investiture Service on May 22nd 2010 at Rochester Cathedral.

The quality of music and singing was exceptional, and really set a beautiful mood for the service.

The choir consisted of:

Sophie Pentecost BA mus, MA Performance
Laura Moretto BA mus
Laura Maggs BA mus, MA Choral Studies
Jessica Brake BA mus
Jamie Gater BA mus, PGCE
Richard Payne, BA English & Creative Writing, MA Creative Writing
Rhys Hughes BA mus, MA Choral Studies
Peter Noble BA mus

The choir was very ably conducted by Jonathan Cook (BA mus), and the organist was the very accomplished Julian M. Sampson MSc FRICS FAAV.

We were treated to the first public performance of a new hymn "Praise Ye The Lord", written by Grand Director of Music H.E. Dr. Keith Salmon KCStG.

The Grand Priory extends particular thanks to Rhys Hughes BA mus, MA Choral Studies who played a central role in putting this together. Rhys is the son of Chaplain General Chev. Ronald Hughes KCSTG MMLJ OLJ.

Investiture Pictures May 2010

Dated: 22nd May 2010

A full report of the annual Investiture held on Saturday May 22nd will appear shortly. The event was an enormous success and a slide show of pictures is available below.

For press or media enquiries, please contact our Director of Media Information, Chev. Lt. Col. Mark Haley.

Walking Tour of Churchill's London

Dated: 05/07/2009

20 members of the Order assembled at the Churchill statue in Parliament Square yesterday for a wonderful tour led by historian and author Michael Paterson.

Michael has written several books on Churchill and is a very well informed and erudite guide. He described Churchill's early life, his relationship with Lord Randolph a meeting (of which I was particularly interested) between Churchill and the great Ulster leader Sir Edward Carson which occurred when Churchill was 16.

The tour took in the statue of Jan Christiaan Smuts, a prominent South African and Commonwealth statesman and military leader. He served as a Boer General during the Boer War, a British General during the First World War and was appointed Field Marshal during the Second World War. He was a great friend of Churchill and they had previous association from Churchill's sojourn in South Africa.

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