Over 250 knights and dames hailing from 18 countries across Europe, the US, Canada, Russia and China recently gathered in Malta to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the appointment of Grand Duke Alfred Josef Baldacchino as hereditary Sovereign Prince Grand Master of the Ordo Byzantinus Sancti Sepulchri (OBSS).

The Prince Grand Master presided over a solemn international investiture ceremony with the participation of 36 new knights and dames who took the oath of loyalty, fraternity and dedication to the aims of the order.

Following a religious ceremony conducted by the prelates, including the laying of hands, presentation of a lit candle, cordon, sword and spurs, the postulants then knelt before the Prince Grand Master who knighted them with the sword, placed the insignias of the order around their neck and the mantle over their shoulders.

Throughout the ceremony, held at St Augustine church in Valletta, the Prince Grand Master was helped by the prelates and dignitaries of the order. The  festivities then proceeded with a gala dinner at the Corinthia Palace Hotel and Spa in Attard. Towards the end of the evening, the Prince Grand Master addressed members of the OBSS in English and Italian, the two official languages of the order.

He referred to the restructuring of the order, following his appointment 30 years ago, along the lines of a multinational organisation – allowing the Grand Priories (each country is a Grand Priory) full autonomy to promote the aims of the OBSS, being humanitarian, philanthropic, ecumenical and cultural. This is done according to local requirements and to human and financial resources available.

The exponential growth of the OBSS over the last 30 years is the fruit of this autonomy which all Grand Priories enjoy within the parameters of the statute.

The gala dinner came to an end with a toast and best wishes for a long life to the supreme head of the order, Grand Duke Alfred Josef.