The Grand Priory of Ukraine consists of:
- The Priory of Transcarpatia
One important and very active Grand Priory of the Sovereign Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem is the Grand Priory of Ukraine and its devoted Brothers and Sisters. The first mention of Maltese Knights on the territory of Ukraine comes from the history of Transcarpathia in the XIV century, when the Prince of Podolia, a Knight of the Order of Malta Fedor Koryatovych (in 1339-1395 and died in 1414). At that time, Transcarpathian Ukraine was under Hungarian rule. And during the period when the headquarters of the Order was located in St. Petersburg (1798 ~ 1917), most of the lands of modern Ukraine were part of the Russian Empire. In the recent history of the already independent Ukraine, the Order of Hospitallers of St. John first appeared in 2009, when a public organisation of the same name was registered.
The Grand Priory of Ukraine is made up of dedicated Knights and Dames, Serving Brothers and Sisters who commit much of their time in helping others according to the tradition of the Order of St John with fund raising activities and charity work. The Knights, Dames, Serving Brothers and Sisters of the Grand Priory of Ukraine are led, according to our Statues, By-Laws and Regulations, by the Grand Prior. This appointment is given by the Prince Grand Master himself upon consulting with the Supreme Council. The Grand Prior is responsible for all Knights, Dames, Serving Brothers and Sisters, the new recruits, the coordination of activities and the day to day operation in the Grand Priory. He leads his own council with the help of a Chancellor, Treasure and other Senior Officers.
The Grand Priory of Ukraine includes the Priory of Transcarpathia, which is managed by the Prior. Since the very beginning in 1113 our Order has been a Hospitaller Knight Order and we are the very same Hospitaller Knight Order today, but with the difference that we today are an Ecumenical Knight Order which has its Spiritual Protector in Protector in is His Most Reverend Eminence Cardinal Sergio Sebastiani, OCD. Since the opening of the Grand Priory of Ukraine, many projects and charitable actions has been implemented throughout the country, as a result thousands of Ukrainians which are need of aid have found out about the Order and received its assistance. Today, the Order of St. John in Ukraine cares for orphanages, kindergartens, rehabilitation centers and medical institutions and responds to the poor, the sick, the disabled who need help. As of 2020, the Grand Priory of Ukraine, due to the support of the Prince Grand Master and Grand Priories of other countries, has provided assistance of more than 50 aid activities.
What one has to bear in mind is that Ukraine today has a low intense war in two fronts, the Krim peninsula and the in eastern Ukraine with daily provocations and and violations of human rights. Every week there are human casualties. Since the beginning, the Grand Priory is supporting and helping many orphanages, institutions, schools hospitals in the eastern Ukraine. With the help and support from its members, from other Grand Priories and under the new Ukrainian – Swedish concept “Modern Knights Aid for Ukraine” with Grand Priory of Sweden numerous children and people in grave need has become taken care of.
Below you can see some pictures from different aid and charity operations held by the members in Grand Priory of Ukraine as examples what it’s all about, helping the children and people in grave need, both in the Kiev area and in the eastern Ukraine. The last section is about the first “Modern Knights Aid for Ukraine 2019”.
Hospitaller Activities
In 2018 the planing started and after a few weeks the Brothers and Sisters in Grand Priory of Sweden started a collection of children clothing, toys, hygiene articles and money. But due to various circumstances the joint operation took place in beginning of May 2019. The Chancellor in Grand Priory of Sweden went to Kiev and joined The Grand Prior and two of his Knights. Together they went to the Vyatogorsk and Krasnogorsk area by train. The spent a couple of days visiting four orphanages and children’s institutions and handed over the collected items together with items bought in Ukraine.
After that they went back to Kiev and met the Grand Prior and Treasure in Grand Priory of Sweden. Together we visited one other institution for disabled children and senior citizens. This joint operation will continue over the coming years as a long time joint support for the needed.
This is to live our motto “UT UNUM SINT”!
Are you interested in more information or how to support the efforts for the needy in Ukraine, please don’t hesitate to send us an email on info@knightsofsaintjohn.com.
