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 companion 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 Order of Saint George the Great Martyr can join as non-voting, companion members of the Order.
The Goals and Objectives of the Order
The Order of Saint George the Great Martyr establishes its goals and objectives:
to organize, promote, aid, and engage in charitable, humanitarian, educational, religious,
medical, and chivalric activities, particularly by:
(a.) aiding the poor, the sick, the dying, the needy, the aged, the infirm, the maimed, the
mentally ill, the imprisoned, and the socially disadvantaged;
(b.) assisting in the maintenance of holy places including, but not limited to, buildings,
monasteries, seminaries, shrines, churches, and cathedrals of the Orthodox Faith; and,
(c.) establishing and promoting the works of hospitals, medical centers, orphanages, schools,
and other bona fide Orthodox institutions and/or organizations.
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.
In exceptional cases, a non-Christian individual of exemplary moral character and proven goodwill toward the Order and its works may be admitted by personal approval of the Grand Knight, provided such admission serves the charitable and humanitarian objectives of the Order.
Application Process
Application packets for membership in the Order—for both Orthodox and non-Orthodox companion members—are available through this website and may be downloaded from this page or from the page entitled “Documents.” Upon approval, the applicant will receive an official document signed and sealed by the Grand Knight, indicating their reception into the Order with the formal rank of “Cadet,” unless a higher rank is requested in the application and subsequently approved.
Those received into the Order are admitted according to their personal state in life and may choose the nature of their participation in the activities of the Order. All new members will be invested at an authorized ceremony of investiture as soon as practically possible following their acceptance. Members of the clergy remain subject to the rules and regulations of their respective hierarchs and Orthodox jurisdictions.
Passage Fees and Annual Dues
Each applicant (unless clergy or monastic) is required to pay a one-time Passage Fee for membership into the Order. The amount varies according to the rank of entrance selected by the applicant. The Order expects that those entering at a higher rank than Cadet will contribute proportionately greater time, effort, and financial support toward the advancement of the Order’s mission.
The cost of membership is detailed in the attached application forms.
Please Note
The Passage Fee contributes to:
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the annual philanthropic appeal of the Order;
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the administrative expenses of the Grand Magistry; and
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the Order’s charitable works, including feeding the homeless.
Both laity and clergy are responsible for the purchase of their own medals from authorized manufacturers contracted by the Order.
The Order permits Passage Fees and annual membership dues to be paid either in full or in two installments. Additional financial arrangements are available for those joining at the rank of Knight Companion / Dame Companion or higher. Individuals experiencing financial hardship who wish to join the Order may request special consideration on a case-by-case basis.
Members of the Orthodox clergy, as well as those of monastic rank, are exempt from both the Passage Fee and the annual Membership Dues.
If a member is promoted to a higher rank within the Order, they may either continue paying the original annual membership due assessed at the time of their entrance or opt to pay the fee corresponding to their new rank. Members promoted to higher rank are not required to pay an additional Passage Fee but must purchase the insignia or medals appropriate to their new status.
The Passage Fee goes towards the following: the annual philanthropic appeal of the Order, the administrative expenses of the Order’s Grand Magistry and towards feeding the homeless. Laity and clergy are responsible for the purchase of their own medals from authorized manufactures contracted by the Order.
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. If you yourself are having financial difficulty and would like to join the Order, additional arrangements can be made on a case-by-case basis.
Those who belong to the ranks of the Orthodox 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.
If a member is promoted to a higher rank within the Order, that member can continue to pay the original annual membership due 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.
Membership Application – Order of Saint George Membership Application – Order of the Holy Spirit