A tradition that began in Jerusalem

The medieval Order of Saint Lazarus began at a leper hospice outside the walls of Jerusalem, by the gate that bore the saint’s name. Its brethren cared for those suffering from leprosy and soon became experienced hospitallers.

In the twelfth century the Order also took up arms. Until 1291 its knights defended the Christian holdings in the Holy Land, and after their loss they protected the pilgrim routes of Europe, above all the road to Santiago de Compostela. Through all of this the Order remained first a hospitaller order, keeping a network of hospitals and lazar houses across Europe.

In France the Order enjoyed the protection of the Crown, but the decree of 1791 abolishing all orders of chivalry brought its existence to an end. No sovereign authority has restored it since.

In 1995 the Grand Priories of England and Scotland, joined at once by the Grand Priory of South Africa, founded the United Grand Priories of the Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. They carry on the work of the medieval Order as a registered chivalric organisation, in accordance with the laws of each country where they operate.

The Order is Christian and ecumenical: its members include Orthodox, Catholics, Protestants and Anglicans, and they follow, in the words of its history, “the spirit of ecumenical Christian charity”.

The Order is a confederation of independent grand priories governed by the Supreme Grand Priory, which is chaired by the Supreme Grand Prior, elected for a term of five years. The Order’s day-to-day work is led by the Grand Council and the Grand Chancery in Malta.

The Grand Officers of the Order serve voluntarily and without pay. Funds raised in a region are spent on charitable work in that same region.

The Order is listed as a non-governmental organisation within the United Nations and is a member of the European Disability Forum, the European Network for Independent Living and the World Association of Supported Employment. In several countries it runs clinics, supports hospitals and hospices, and works alongside local authorities and civil society.

A new jurisdiction begins as a Delegation, the smallest unit of the Order. Once its team has been properly inducted and its hospitaller work acknowledged, the Grand Chancery may propose it to the Supreme Grand Priory as a Grand Priory in Formation. Some jurisdictions pass first through the stage of a Commandery or a Grand Commandery. When the Grand Priory is solemnly consecrated, it becomes a full Grand Priory of the Order.

Every Grand Priory has two votes in the Supreme Grand Priory. Delegations are represented through the Grand Priory of the International Lazarites. Where a region cannot support itself, the Supreme Grand Priory recognises it as a Grand Priory in Distress and asks wealthier Grand Priories to help with its needs. Sister orders of chivalry that have joined the Order en bloc keep their independence and constitutions; their leaders pledge loyalty to the officers of the Supreme Grand Priory in a commendation, and they too hold two votes.

Seventy-six jurisdictions on six continents, as listed by the Grand Chancery in 2026. Bulgaria is marked; sister organisations are shown in italics.