An Introduction to the Order 

 We invite you to watch this short video introduction of our Order, then check out the rest of the page below for more information

 Frankish Duke Godfrey de Bouillon

First ruler of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem and "Advocate of the Holy Sepulche"

     The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (In Latin: Ordo Equestris Sancti Sepulcri Hierosolymitani) is one of the original few and most ancient chivalric Orders of Knighthood of the Holy See. Born out of the just cause of Christians in the Middle Ages who took up arms in defense of their persecuted brethren; we trace our historically documented lineage directly back to the establishment of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem and the election of its first ruler in 1099 AD, the Frankish Duke Godfrey de Bouillon. Rather than taking the mantle of King, Duke Godfrey took upon himself the title of Advocate of the Holy Sepulchre and appointed the first knights of our Order. Their task was to preserve and defend the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the other Holy Sites in and around Jerusalem from vandalism and desecration, and to ensure the safe passage of visiting pilgrims.

     As the only chivalric Order of Knighthood of the Holy See and the Vatican City State, the Order’s Fons Honorum (Fount of Honor) resides with the reigning monarch, the Pope. All investitures of laymen, women, and clergy into the Order must be approved by the Cardinal Grand Master and the Vatican’s Secretariat of State. The Order is governed by a Cardinal Grand Master appointed directly by the Pope, with the assistance of a managing council known as the Grand Magisterium headquartered in Rome.  Click here for the Grand Magisterium's Website

     The Order is governed in accordance with its 2021 constitution and the current Code of Canon Law. The Order is a public Juridical Person under Canon Law and in the Vatican, and acts as a Central Organ of the Catholic Church in accordance with the 1929 Lateran Treaty. It's legal seat is in the Vatican City State. The Northwestern Lieutenancy of the United States is incorporated under the laws of the United States as a religious charitable organization.

     Originally created as an association of knights under arms (Milites Christi), today’s Order is strictly non-violent and apolitical; having swapped out physical arms in favor of spiritual-militancy practiced through prayer, programs of education and evangelization, sustaining the work of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and other peaceful charitable works within the Holy Land. (Ephesians 6: 10-17)

     The specific mission assigned by the Holy Father to the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is that of animating zeal in the ecclesial community towards the Land of Jesus and sustaining the Catholic Church and the Christian presence there.

     Internationally, while not considered a Papal Knighthood akin to the Orders of St. Sylvester and St. Gregory the Great, (which are individual awards granted by the Supreme Pontiff for individual merit), being granted membership in the Order includes a personal award of chivalric knighthood. The award of knighthood in the Order is a civil honor granted by the Vatican State and the Holy See, and includes institutional, spiritual, and heraldic privileges. Knights and Dames are invested in the Order for continued, focused, faithful and humble service to the People of God and the Holy See. Investiture in the Order is not awarded for the purpose of individual social gain, nor as a demonstration of social privilege.

     To be eligible, prospective Knights and Dames of the Order are expected to have a history of, to maintain, and to continue to exhibit an exemplary commitment to the intents and practice of their Christian faith, a demonstrated affinity for the holy places and peoples of the Holy Land, and an uncompromising fidelity to the Supreme Pontiff. 

Books regarding Knighthood and protocols of the Catholic Church:

Orders of Knighthood and of Merit by Peter Bander Van Duren

The Church Visible by James-Charles Noonan Jr. 

Other books:

Is Peace Possible, Christian Palestinians Speak by The Justice and Peace Commission of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land

The Modern Crusaders, A brief history of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem by Alfred J. Blasco

The Cross on the Sword, A History of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (eBook format) by Michael H. Abraham D'Assemani

A Great Cloud of Witnesses: The Catholic Church's Experience in the Holy Land by Sir Jeffery M. Abood

Other links: 

Wikipedia: Order of the Holy Seplulcre