In order to carry out its goals and objectives, the Holy Orthodox Order of Saint George the Great Martyr will admit those who apply for membership and are accepted by the Council of Admissions. The Order has three categories of membership. The first consists of those who belong to the Orthodox laity, the second consists of those who belong to the ranks of the Orthodox clergy, and the third consist of those who belong to the Order as auxiliary members through the Most Meritorious Order of the Holy Spirit.
Per the unanimous vote of the Order’s Sovereign Council on May 10th, 2021 and with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, non-Orthodox, Trinitarian Christians who profess the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed of 381 AD and who support the works and activities of the Holy Orthodox Order of Saint George the Great Martyr can join as non-voting, Companion members of the Order.
Membership Requirements for Orthodox Christians:
- is baptized and/or chrismated into the Orthodox Christian Faith;
- is NOT a member of a Masonic fraternity and/or organization;
- is living according to Orthodox Christian principles;
- is a member in good standing of a local canonical Orthodox parish;
- is of sound mind and judgment;
- is known to live honorably;
- is prepared to observe the rules and regulations of the Order of Saint George the Great Martyr;
- is willing to make a solemn pledge of allegiance to the Order and to its mission at a formal ceremony of investiture; and
- is no less than 18 years of age upon applying for membership.
Membership Requirements for Non-Orthodox Christians:
- is a baptized and/or confirmed Christian;
- is a member of a Trinitarian denomination (Oriental Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran etc.);
- is NOT a member of a Masonic fraternity and/or organization;
- is living according to Christian principles;
- is a member in good standing of their local parish community;
- is of sound mind and judgment;
- is known to live honorably;
- is prepared to observe the rules and regulations of the Order of Saint George the Great Martyr;
- is willing to make a solemn pledge of allegiance to the Order and to its mission at a formal ceremony of investiture; and,
- is no less than 18 years of age upon applying for membership.
Application packets for membership into the Order for both Orthodox and Non-Orthodox companion members will be supplied through this website and may be downloaded from this page or under the page entitled “Documents”. When approved, the individual will receive an official document signed and sealed by the Grand Knight, indicating the applicant’s reception into the Order with the formal rank of “officer” unless the applicant wishes to be received in with a higher rank as indicated in their application.
Those received into the Order are received in accordance with their personal state and may choose the nature of their commitment in the activities of the Order. All new members of the Order shall be invested at an authorized ceremony of investiture as soon as practically possible after their acceptance. Those members of the Order belonging to the clergy, remain subject to the rules and regulations of their respective hierarchs and Orthodox jurisdictions.
Each applicant (unless clergy or monastic) is required to pay a onetime passage fee for membership into the Order. The passage fee varies depending upon the rank of entrance which the individual chooses. It is expected by the Order that those wishing to join at a rank higher than Cadet will commit more effort, time, and money to the advancement of the Order than those of a lower rank.
The cost of membership is provided in the below attached applications.
Please note:
The Passage Fee goes towards the following: the annual philanthropic appeal of the Order, the administrative expenses of the Order’s Grand Magistry, the applicant’s insignia, and the applicant’s brevet (certificate of membership). Additionally, the Order asses a small amount of each passage fee to go towards food kits for the Orthodox needy.
The Order permits passage fees and annual membership dues to be paid either in full or in two installments. Additional financial arrangements are given to those who join the Order at the rank of Knight Companion/Dame Companion or higher.
Those who belong to the ranks of the clergy are exempt from having to pay both the passage fee and annual membership due. This courtesy also extends to those who are of monastic rank. Clergy and monastics are responsible for the purchase of their own medals.
If a member is promoted to a higher rank within the Order, that member can continue to pay the original annual membership fee assessed at the time of their entrance into the Order or opt to pay the new fee in correspondence to their new rank. Equally members promoted to a higher rank within the Order do not pay for any additional passage fee but only for the medals attached to the new rank.