Who We Are....
We are Roman Catholic Monks who follow the teachings of the Church prior to 1870 when the First Vatican Council was held. We are not to be confused with the Old Catholic Church which split off from the main Catholic Church at roughly the same time. However, we are descended from that same lineage and associated Apostolic Succession. Contrary to the Old Catholic Church that formed primarily in the Netherlands, we were wrought from the Gallican concerns of that same period and formed in France.
In the Council, the doctrine of Papal Infallibility was made valid and it is this doctrine to which we wholeheartedly disagree.
If Pope Francis reverses this doctrine, we will entertain re-entering full communion with the Holy See.We are not affiliated with the more modern Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem, instituted 1910.In belief, we are very close to the modern Roman Catholic Church with these exceptions: We do not believe in Papal Infallibility, we use the Sarum Rite for Mass and we believe that Lazarus is the Disciple whom Jesus loved instead of John and that the Gospel of John was written by St. Lazarus. We also believe that Lazarus is still alive upon the Earth.We do not bestow Knighthood. To become a Knight of St. Lazarus, one must provide suitable armor, suitable weapon(s) and at least one horse capable of carrying a armored man into combat and the person must be able to use these items whilst riding a horse. A squire is not required upon arrival but services of a squire must be purchased or attained within six months of affiliating with our Order. This is the first requirement to be recognized as a secular Knight. By our tradition, knighthood cannot be bestowed solely by a monarch or potentate but must be recognized for what it is - the ability to fight armored on horseback and maintain your equipment and assets. Second, to become a Lazarite monastic Knight, one must take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. These vows are given in increments to allow the Brother to fully realize the commitment they are making. Once the vow is completed for at least three years or after, the Brother can take a perpetual vow that invests them as a Monk.We follow the Augustinian Rule as implemented among the Lazar Knights in the 13th century. Our structure closely follows the Rule of the medieval Knights Templar as many Lazar Knights were former Templars who had contracted leprosy.Currently, we are composed of one main Preceptory with three smaller Commanderies. We elect a Patriarch who holds their post for life or until abdication and this Patriarch lives in the Holy City of Jerusalem and is supported wholly by us. The Patriarch appoints our Grand Master who holds the position for nine years. Candidates for Grand Master are selected by the main Preceptory.We accept no alms or donations of any kind. Our founder passed his wealth and lands to the Order upon his passing and we are self-supportive through our business ventures. Also our Brothers, once taking their vows, pass their earthly wealth to the Order and through these means, we have been blessed and sustained these many years since our founding.We try to maintain a primitive lifestyle. Whilst we use computers and printers for some of our business endeavours, they are limited and only in one location. Brothers do not have ready access unless it is for research or work. Cell phones are limited and are authorized only for the Preceptor, the Marshal, the Draper and the Armarius. All Brothers are encouraged to use hand-written letters for family correspondence.Past military experience with one's native country is desired, although not required. However, once entry to our Order is allowed, service with another military force must have come to conclusion either through discharge or retirement.
Our Work
We live the life of crusader warrior monks, taking vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. We are celibate so we do not marry. We practice the skills of a mounted armored warrior to make ourselves approved before our God. We study the scriptures to further find ourselves approved although we are humble men not worthy of His Grace.We sponsor archaeological activities for crusader sites in the Holy Land, contribute to Hansen's Disease research and work on our lands to improve them in the sight of God. We are currently working on an edifice called "The Grotto of St. Lazarus".We earn our living by crafting document replicas for living history, table-top gamers and certain popular fandoms. We also construct medieval shields which are sold for both display and combat training. We do have a small vineyard for locally produced Sacramental wine.Although all of our Brothers are involved in business ventures to help support our Order, every Brother is required to spend five 8 hour days out of every month engaged in combat practice to include the wearing of full armour, horseback riding and care, weapons practice and lance practice with the quintain.
Contact Us
Our ways are difficult but if you are interested in inquiring to us, message us here and we will get back to you in due time. Please note that we are a private Order and do not welcome public visitation due to internal policies of staying separate from the world-at-large. Thank you for your understanding.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.