Caroberto from the Capetian House of Anjou, who ruled under the name of Charles I. (Robert) as King of Hungary and Croatia (1308-42), founded the first secular order of the era on the 26th April 1326 in Visegrád, Hungary in honour of St. George the Dragon Slayer. The saint’s popularity is still quite remarkable in the world, several countries consider St. George as their patron saint.

The Grand Priory of the United Kingdom of The Knightly Order of Saint George, the Martyr held its Ceremony of Investiture on the 13th June 2015 in Cambridge, in the Great St Mary’s Church.

Many members of the Order and invited guests attended this international event, organised in the beautiful medieval church.

Among the foreign participants were Chev. Paweł Michalak – Grand Prior of Poland, Chev. János Sárközi – Grand Prior of Slovakia, Chev. Hans Waning – Grand Prior of Holland, and Chev. Adam Szelag – Grand Prior of Sweden.

The Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, Federation of the Autonomous Priories (KMFAP) was again represented at the ceremony of its friendly order – with whom it has excellent relationship since many years – by the following delegation members: H.G. Prof. George Popper – Lieutenant General, Deputy Grand Master, Lady Anna Popper (both are holders of the Grand Cross of the Order of Saint George), and Sir Alexander Czellárik – Grand Prior of Slovakia.

Thanks to the professional preparatory work of the local organisers – with the leadership of H.E. Kenneth Martin, Deputy Grand Master and Revd. Eugene Harkness, Grand Prior of the United Kingdom – the participants had an unforgettable experience during the event.

H.E. Hon. Ltg. Chev. Tadeusz Kaczor – Grand Master of the Order and H.E. Kenneth Martin performed the investiture ceremony, accompanied by the songs of the mixed choir. The knighthood of the candidates – according to the traditions – were followed by the promotions and advancements of grade.

At the end of the ceremony H.G. Prof. George Popper praised the humanitarian activities of Chev. Paweł Michalak, Grand Prior – as well as the Director of FEMERAID International – Poland Unit, and handed over the Grand Officer decoration of Knights of Malta, thereby Sir Paweł became member of KMFAP.

Then Sir George donated the Knights of Malta (KMFAP) Medal of Merit – Class Gold to H.E. Sir Tadeusz Kaczor, Grand Master of The Knightly Order of Saint George, the Martyr, and Grand Cross Knight of the Sovereign Order of Cyprus (Knights of Sword and Silence), for his many years of outstanding work in the field of humanitarian aid and on the idea of chivalry.

After the intimate atmosphere of the festive event the participants and guests went to the Trinity Hall – founded in 1350 – to have gala lunch. H.E. Prof. Sir Ronald Mason welcomed everyone at the closing event and Revd. Fra Andrzej Foltyn, chaplain of the Polish colony in Cambridge said grace.

The stay in Cambridge would not have been complete without a visit to the world famous university city sights.

Last day there was also a good opportunity to meet and talk with our friends living in London: Mr. Orlando Mardner – Country Representative of IBSSA for the U.K., as well as Mr. József Mészáros and his wife. 

20th July 2015