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The Character and Aims of the Order
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 Article 1
The Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem is an international, ecumenical Order of Chivalry in direct continuity from the original Order of Hospitallers of Saint John founded in the Holy Land in the year 1048.
This Order became ecumenical and open to each religion discipline since His Highness Czar Paul I, Emperor of all the Russians was elected and accepted proudly to be Grand Master on 1798. The Order dedicates itself to humanitarian causes, development of schools and services in favour of people in need, establishment of medical centres and wants to expand contacts between peoples from all the monotheistic Confessions recognised in the world.
The Order does not interfere in politics.
Article 2
The Order is and will remain in perpetuity (GOD so willing) independent of any and all kingdoms, governments and other worldly authorities; its recognised sovereignty, independence, extra-territorial status and fons honorum having been honoured and substantiated by numerous Treaties, Acts, Bulls, Edicts and Ukases (like the Treaties of Amiens on 1802) by the continuing exercise of its ancient rights, privileges and prerogatives.
Article 3
The principal objectives of the Order are the furtherance of charity and the defence of the Human rights against all contrary dogmas.
Article 4
The Order is under the heavenly protection of Saint John, the anniversary of whose Nativity falls on the twenty-fourth (24th) of June and is celebrated as the Patronal Day of the Order.
Article 5
The Order may elect to have a Royal Protector and also Religious Protectors.
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 Article 6
The Order can recognise Hereditary Rights of the members and protect private property in the form of nobiliary titles and individuals’ Coat-of-Arms.
Article 7
The Motto of the Order is “Pro Fide, pro utilitate Hominum”.
Article 8
The governing body of the Order for diplomatic and legislative activities is the Government of the Order, wherein plenary legislative functions are vested in regard to the administration of the Order and its relations with all external governmental bodies.
Article 9
The Government is formed by the Prime Minister, elected by the Prince Grand Master or by the Governor (when so elected), and by a number of Ministers depending on the specific situation. Each proposed Minister must be previously approved by the Prince Grand Master or by the Governor if not nominated by one of them.
The Prime Minister and Ministers stay in office until they are revoked or they resign. Revocation must be voted by the majority of the Government, by the Grand Master or by the Governor. |
 Article 10
The Government has the legislative functions. Laws, Codes and Decrees issued by the Government must be ratified within 30 days by the Grand Master or by the Governor; if not ratified they are automatically void.
The contracts between members, will be concluded under the Laws and the Codes of the Order, including those pertaining to the following but not limited to: associations, partnerships, donations, successions, marriages, divorces, and separations.
In the herein matter, the members may always resolve their matters upon mutual agreement in writing. In the case of any disagreement between the contracting parties, and if not expressly indicated the contrary, they cannot address to the ordinary magistracy of the state on whose territory the contracts originated, resolving the controversy by a mandatory arbitration.
The arbitration will be conducted by a panel of three arbitrators, members of the Order, of which two will be named by each respective party and the third arbitrator (with function of president) will be designated by the Prince Grand Master, the Lieutenant Grand Master or the Governor.
The arbitral judgment will obligate the contracting parties.
Article 11
The governing body of the Order for humanitarian activities is the Supreme Council. The Supreme Council must respect the Laws and the Decrees issued by the Government of the Order.
Article 12
The Supreme Council shall consist of the Prince Grand Master, the Lieutenant Grand Master (when so elected), the Governor (when so elected), the Grand Chancellor and minimum ten (10) selected members. All are to serve only to age seventy-five (75); however, a special Decree by the Prince Grand Master can extend offices for life.
Members selected must be Grand Crosses or Senior Knights of Justice, and if possible, from various geographical areas.
All the members of the Supreme Council, while in office, shall retain the title of OSJ Senator. |
Article 13
The Prince Grand Master is ex officio President of the Supreme Council. In his absence, the Lieutenant Grand Master or the Governor will preside over the Supreme Council.
 Article 14
All members of the Supreme Council shall exercise their deliberative vote, except for the Prince Grand Master who may exercise two deliberative votes, when present, or if delivered by proxy to the chairman of the Supreme Council the two deliberate votes will still be exercised on his behalf.
Article 15
Meetings of the Supreme Council shall be convened and conducted in accordance with the Standing Orders of the Supreme Councils. Quorum will be fifty percent (50%) plus one.
Article 16
The Supreme Council between its meetings shall delegate part of its executive powers and functions to the Grand Chancellor, in consultation with the Prince Grand Master and the Governor.
Article 17
Deliberations of the Supreme Council are consultative and the final decision rests with the Prince Grand Master in consultation with the Lieutenant Grand Master, the Governor and the Grand Chancellor.
Article 18
Grand Prior's Conferences will usually take place every year and normally before each Supreme Council meeting. All deliberations are treated as consultative, consensus will be taken seriously, but any recommendations are not binding unless approved by the Prince Grand Master or by the Governor, possibly in consultations with the Grand Chancellor. |
 Article 19
The Prince Grand Master is the constitutional hereditary head of the Order. He is vested with, and may exercise in Council, all the ancient rights, privileges and prerogatives traditionally due to and inherent in the sovereignty of his office.
When the hereditary lines come to an and or the succession is impossible, he is elected by the Supreme Council. When elected, he may retain and exercise the office ad vitam unless he elects to retire earlier or is permanently prevented by incapacity from fulfilling his duties, as certified by the Governor.
Article 20
A Lieutenant Grand Master and/or a Governor can be elected by the Prince Grand Master to assist him.
In the interregnum which occurs between the death or resignation of the Prince Grand Master and the election of a permanent successor, or if, for any reason, the office of the Prince Grand Mater is left vacant, the Lieutenant Grand Master or the Governor will act on his behalf.
An appointed Lieutenant Grand Master shall remain until a successor to the Prince Grand Master is elected. The appointment of the Lieutenant Grand Master is then terminated.
Article 21
The Grand Chancellor is the chief executive officer of the Order. He is responsible for implementing the policy decisions of the Government and the Supreme Council, as well as for certifying and registering the activities of the Order. The Grand Chancellor shall serve for an indefinite period at the pleasure of the Prince Grand Master or the Governor of the Order . |
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