Knightly Order of Saint George

The International Knightly Order of St. George is a religious confraternity of Chevaliers and Dames who lead a life of humility, loyalty and service for the common good. The Fraternal Society of Saint George was one of the first royal and military orders of knighthood, which recently has significantly developed internationally due to its engaged governance.
The Order was founded in Visegrad, Hungary, more than 675 years ago, on 23 April 1326, by King Károly Róbert, great-grandson of Charles of Anjou, in the presence of the King's bishops and courtiers. It is the oldest of chivalric orders established as "royal" institutions independent of the church. Although it was originally a military and charitable order, military service is not required for membership any longer; however, much of the ceremonial and pageantry of the Order still has a military flavour.
It is a lay order dedicated to the name of the Blessed Trinity and under special invocation of Saint George (patron of chivalry). Original foundation documents of the Order are kept in the Hungarian National Archives in Budapest.
The history of most knightly and religious orders is complicated by the vicissitudes of internal and external politics but they persist where supported by a genuine response to the needs of the times prompted by the Holy Spirit. Followers of the tradition of knightly confraternities under the patronage of Saint George can be found in all over Europe. In Hungary, such a confraternity is the Order of Vitéz founded in the 20th century, while the Knightly Order Valiant of St. George re-emerged as continuation of the original order after the fall of the communist system in 1989. The installation ceremony of the previous Grand Master - Senior Judge of the Republic of Hungary, which took place in Saint Stephen's Basilica in Budapest, was attended by a representative of the Republic's President, the Hungarian Primate and Head of the Protestant Church in Hungary, and several top politicians. As an annual event, the day 23 April has become part of a state ceremonial tradition participated by senior members of the Government, army and clergy, as well as people of good will irrespective of their social origin or occupation.

For centuries, the cult of Saint George has been part of a living tradition in the hearts and minds of Hungarians. That devotion has helped the Order to survive through turbulent times. Unlike other republics, Hungary has preserved the Crown of St. Stephen as its national symbol: the President, ministers and officers of the armed forces take their oath of allegiance to the Crown. In the sixteenth century, Pope Paul III - then Grand Master, added the crown to the insignia of the Order. In the 20th century, the Order was officially registered as a charitable organisation under the English law, and it was recognised by the International Council of Orders of Chivalry.
King Károly Róbert founded his knightly society at a time of civil strife and struggles for power in Hungary, and he used his Knights to restore order, mainly by setting an example of loyalty and moral virtues. The first fifty Knights of the royal court were obliged to be faithful and obedient to the King, to practise the Christian faith through charitable activity, and to observe the chivalric code. Today, Members of the International Knightly Order of St. George follow the same rules, proving their worthiness by abiding by the laws and moral traditions of the society, by affirming their belief in Almighty God, and by maintaining the spirit of chivalry in the world. This involves encouraging understanding and co-operation between individuals and nations, and providing a charitable service to humanity by supporting the underprivileged in hospices, orphanages, nursing homes and homes for the elderly. All Members sustain the work of the Order directly by means of an annual oblation and voluntary donations.

Over the centuries, the Order was governed by kings of Hungary, Roman emperors, cardinals and popes. Its flowering nowadays is largely due to the steadfast personality and leadership skills of the recently deceased Grand Master, His Excellence Major-General Jánosz Karászy-Kulin MVO KCStG GCLJ HonLLD. The General was a veteran of the 1956 Hungarian uprising, decorated for his courage, and highly respected for his ongoing activity for the needy.