PASSAGE FEES, ANNUAL DUES, & FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS
Passage Fee
Each lay applicant is required to pay a one-time passage fee for membership into the Order.
The passage fee varies depending upon the rank of entrance which the individual chooses.
The Passage Fee goes towards the following: the annual philanthropic appeal of the Order, the administrative expenses of the Order’s Grand Magistry, and feeding the homeless.
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Cadet: $250.00
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Knight / Dame: $500.00
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Knight Companion / Dame Companion: $1,000.00
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Knight Commander / Dame Commander: $2,000.00
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Knight Grand Cross / Dame Grand Cross: $4,000.00
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Knight Grand Collar / Dame Grand Collar: N/A
Annual Membership Dues
One year following admission into the Order, lay members are required to pay an annual membership due.
Membership dues are assessed according to the rank of the individual and help cover the administrative expenses of the Order’s Grand Magistry.
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Cadet: $125.00
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Knight / Dame: $250.00
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Knight Companion / Dame Companion: $500.00
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Knight Commander / Dame Commander: $1,000.00
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Knight Grand Cross / Dame Grand Cross: $2,000.00
If a member is promoted to a higher rank within the Order, that member may continue to pay the original annual membership due assessed at the time of entrance or opt to pay the new fee corresponding to the higher rank.
Members promoted to a higher rank do not pay an additional passage fee, but only for the medals attached to their new rank.
Financial Obligations
It is expected that clergy and lay members participate in all charitable and fundraising activities of the Grand Magistry, their Grand Priory, and their local Commandery.
Clergy and those of monastic rank are exempt from the passage fee and annual membership due, but are responsible for the purchase of their own medals.
Accessibility
It is the intention of the Order to remain as accessible and affordable as possible to those wishing to join.
It is not the desire of the Order to be exclusive or reserved for an elite group of individuals.
Accordingly, passage fees and annual membership dues may be paid in full or in two installments.
Additional financial arrangements may be made for those joining at the rank of Knight Companion / Dame Companion or higher.
If you are experiencing financial hardship and wish to join the Order, further arrangements can be made on a case-by-case basis.
OATH OF FIDELITY
The Holy Orthodox Order of Saint George the Great Martyr welcomes all baptized Christians who profess faith in the Holy Trinity and share in the mission of service, charity, and defense of the Church of Christ. While rooted in the Orthodox Christian tradition, the Order embraces all who seek to live according to the Gospel and to uphold the principles of faith, honor, and compassion in service to God and humanity.
“I, (name), do solemnly promise and declare before Almighty God that I will serve the Holy Orthodox Order of Saint George the Great Martyr loyally and faithfully, to respect and observe its constitution, mission, bylaws, regulations, and customs; that I shall conduct my whole life in accordance with Orthodox Christian moral and religious principles, that I may always be worthy of the honor that is to be bestowed upon me and of the dignity with which I shall be vested; that I shall never engage in any actions that could disparage the image and dignity of the Orthodox Church or of the Order in which I am to become a lifetime member; and, that I shall respond to the initiatives and needs of the Order by assisting in its charitable works towards the greater benefit of Christ’s Holy Church.
Should I, in the future, ever break and/or seriously violate the preceding promises that I have solemnly made, I understand that I will be subject to the rules and/or policy concerning dismissal from the Order, this in accordance with its legitimately constituted authority.”
PERSONAL, PROFESSIONAL, EDUCATIONAL, & CHARITABLE INFORMATION
I, the undersigned, declare that the information provided below is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
I authorize the Order to verify this information for internal purposes only, understanding that it will not be shared or sold to any third party.
In accordance with Common Law, my signature constitutes a legal and binding application agreement.
The Grand Knight is the final authority for granting membership into the Holy Orthodox Order of Saint George the Great Martyr.
All applicants must accept the Order’s chivalric, charitable, and humanitarian nature, and, if admitted, pledge to abide by all statutes of the Order and support its goals both in principle and financially.
Members are to conduct themselves in an exemplary manner, both in their private and public life, befitting the honor of the Order.
It is expected of each member to pay their annual membership fee and contribute, according to their means, to the charitable works of the Order.
Members are encouraged to participate as much as possible in the social and charitable life of the Order — such as charity dinners, galas, religious services, investitures, and meetings.
They are also encouraged to assist the Christian faithful in their local communities, to serve the poor and the weak, and to work toward the greater good of the Church of Christ, in the spirit of unity, humility, and love.
Applicants for membership cannot have any pending criminal charges or investigations against them, nor have been convicted of a serious crime or misdemeanor, exclusive of minor infractions.
Please attach to this application a letter of recommendation from your parish priest, pastor, or spiritual advisor confirming that you are a member in good standing within your parish or church community.
If you are applying for membership from outside of the United States of America, please also include a copy of your Driver’s License (ID Card), Passport, or Birth Certificate as proof of identity.
I, the undersigned, do hereby request petition to join the Holy Orthodox Order of Saint George the Great Martyr and understand fully the requirements asked of me; that I, in my power, will do everything to uphold the dignity of the Order and support its charitable works; and, that I will always conduct myself as a person of honor.
I further agree to strive for the chivalric virtues of courage, valor, mercy, and fairness. I also will strive to protect the weak and poor, and to be faithful to the Orthodox Church and to champion good against evil.
