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| H.H. the Prince of Rhodes, Grand Master of the Knights of Malta |
By A. DiNardo
MALTA 19 December 2024 (NRom)
The Order of St. John, commonly known as the Knights of Malta, has long been a subject of fascination and intrigue, tracing its origins back to the medieval period as a chivalric order of the Crusades dedicated to the care of the sick and the defense of Christendom. However, the narrative of the Knights of Malta extends far beyond its initial establishment in the late 11th century. Of particular interest is the order's journey into Russian territory, its subsequent transfer under the auspices of the Romanov dynasty, and the eventual evolution of its legacy into the contemporary Order of St. John.
The saga of the Knights of Malta in Russia began in earnest during the reign of Tsar Pavel I, who ascended the throne in 1796. Pavel I was known for his ambition to align himself with various European powers, and his interest in the Knights of Malta was rooted in both political and religious motivations. The knights, having been expelled from Malta by Napoleon in 1798, were in search of a new protectorate. Pavel I, recognizing the potential of an alliance with the order, offered them refuge and, in a symbolic act of solidarity, conferred upon the Knights the status of a Russian Grand Priory. This gesture was not merely ceremonial; it represented a significant intersection of Russian imperial interests and the chivalric traditions of the Knights. And, in gratitude, the Russian Emperor was elected as the Grand Master. This was a role that Pavel I took very seriously. Many distinguished Russian held the Order -- among them Holy Righteous Warrior of God Fyodr Fyodrovich Ushakov, Admiral of the Russian Imperial Navy and hero of the Russo-Turkish War, who never lost a battle.
The Order of St. John, commonly known as the Knights of Malta, has long been a subject of fascination and intrigue, tracing its origins back to the medieval period as a chivalric order of the Crusades dedicated to the care of the sick and the defense of Christendom. However, the narrative of the Knights of Malta extends far beyond its initial establishment in the late 11th century. Of particular interest is the order's journey into Russian territory, its subsequent transfer under the auspices of the Romanov dynasty, and the eventual evolution of its legacy into the contemporary Order of St. John.
The saga of the Knights of Malta in Russia began in earnest during the reign of Tsar Pavel I, who ascended the throne in 1796. Pavel I was known for his ambition to align himself with various European powers, and his interest in the Knights of Malta was rooted in both political and religious motivations. The knights, having been expelled from Malta by Napoleon in 1798, were in search of a new protectorate. Pavel I, recognizing the potential of an alliance with the order, offered them refuge and, in a symbolic act of solidarity, conferred upon the Knights the status of a Russian Grand Priory. This gesture was not merely ceremonial; it represented a significant intersection of Russian imperial interests and the chivalric traditions of the Knights. And, in gratitude, the Russian Emperor was elected as the Grand Master. This was a role that Pavel I took very seriously. Many distinguished Russian held the Order -- among them Holy Righteous Warrior of God Fyodr Fyodrovich Ushakov, Admiral of the Russian Imperial Navy and hero of the Russo-Turkish War, who never lost a battle.
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| H.I.M. Tsar Pavel I, Emperor of Russia, in robes and insignia depicting his role as Grand Master of Malta |
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| Holy Righteous Warrior of God Admiral Ushakov, wearing his insignia as a Knight of Malta |
After Pavel I, the order was less active, but still part of the Russian patrimony. Tsar Nikolai II, when faced with the rising Bolsheviks and the Bourgeois revolution, sought to defend and preserve the order. So, he transferred the responsibilities and privileges of the Grand Mastership of the Knights of Malta to the Royal House of Yugoslavia.
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| H.M. King Peter II of Yugsoslavia Grand Master of the Order of St. John |
The transfer was a strategic move intended to ensure the continuity of the order during a period marked by immense change. King Peter II of Yugoslavia, recognizing the importance of maintaining the order’s historical legacy, took measures to uphold its values and mission amidst the challenges of his own reign. Yet, his own country fell during the Second World War, and he was in exile in Britain and the USA. Even in exile, he continued the Order of Malta.
After Peter II came a challenging time for the order. Peter II had been the victim of much unfounded, libelous defamation, and that continued after his death. The Order of Malta was succeeded in part by a branch that existed for a time that was recognized by Prince Trubetskoi, a prominent figure within the Russian imperial nobility. Now the rightful successor to the Russian/Yugoslavian order (and therefore to the historic Knights of Malta as a whole) is the Order of St. John under the Grand Mastership of His Highness Don Basilio, Prince of Rhodes. His stewardship has been marked by a commitment to the original tenets of the order—charity, hospitality, and the defense of the faith—while navigating the complexities of modern society.
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| Don Basilio, Grand Master of Malta |
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| A meeting held in the order's headquarters. |
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| Sir Rubén, Royal Protector of the Order |
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| Ceremony and investiture of the Order of St. John Seated (in blue uniform) is Don Basilio, Grand Master, and seated to his right in white vestment is Sire Rubén, Royal Protector |
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| Sir Rubén, Royal Protector of the Order |
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| Prince-Bishop Rutherford I of Rome-Ruthenia in the church robe of the Order of Malta. |
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| Prince-Bishop Rutherford I in the uniform of the Pontifical Ruthenian Naval Guard (Pontifical Walsingham Guard), with the sash and cross of the Russian/Yugoslavian Knights of Malta. At the top of the insignia on the sash is a silver segment representing the Knights Bachelor of Yugoslavia. This original piece is extremely rare and provides a direct relic of Peter II. |
In conclusion, the journey of the Knights of Malta from Crusader order to the embrace of Russian sovereignty under Pavel I to the present-day Order of St. John exemplifies a remarkable historical odyssey. It is a narrative rich in political maneuvering, religious fervor, and the everlasting quest for identity amidst the tides of history. As the order continues to thrive under its current Grand Master, Don Basilio, Prince of Rhodes, it remains a testament to the enduring legacy of chivalric values and the importance of historical continuity in an ever-evolving world. The Knights of Malta, having traversed the corridors of power and influence, now stand as a bridge connecting the past to the present, embodying the timeless ideals of service and faith that have defined them throughout their storied existence.
