Report on the Ceremony of the International Knightly Order of St. George 20th April 2008, Máriapócs / HUNGARY


The International Knightly Order of St. George, having close co-operation with IBSSA, held its Inauguration Ceremony on the 20th April 2008 in Máriapócs / HUNGARY – the Pilgrim Place of Tearing Madonna.
The Ceremony was executed by Knight Dr. Ken MARTIN, GCStG – Professor of Theology at the University of Cambridge, the first Deputy of Grand Master; and the event was guided by Mrs. Zsuzsanna VÉRTES KOVÁCS – Deputy of Grand Master, the Grand Prior of Hungary.

From the side of IBSSA Prof. George POPPER – President of IBSSA was invited as Honorary guest to attend the Ceremony and was holding a very representing and creditable place. Prof. George POPPER was accompanied by Dr. Sándor TÉGLÁS – Member of IBSSA. Numerous active IBSSA members and officers also participated this significant event: Dr. Tamás KUTALIK – Regional Representative of IBSSA for Eastern Hungary; Mr. Gyula MIKLÓS – Patronising Member; Dr. András CZAPÁRY-MARTINCSEVICS – Co-president of the IBSSA Hungarian Section, who are also Knights of the St. George Order and received their appointment letters to the St. George Order Council during this Ceremony. The international reputation of the event was represented by the presence of Knight Saša VUJKO and his wife, the Grand Prior of Serbia of the International Knightly Order of St. George, who is also IBSSA member.

26 new Knights and Dames were consecrated furthermore a very kind colour of Ceremony was the Consecration of 16 pages (first time). The ecumenical character of the Ceremony was featured rightly by the participation of Knight Fra. Antal KISS as host, Greek-Catholic Parish Priest of Basilica of Máriapócs, Knight Fra. László BALÁZSI Unitarian Bishop, Knight Fra. v. Levente B. JUHÁSZ Bishop of Reformed Church and Sir Fra. Maximillian R.I. JANKOVICH c. P.K.M., Generalissimos of Horus Spiritual Order of Malta.

Prof. George POPPER was awarded one of the highest decorations of the Order – the Grand Cross of St. George ornamented by the Saint Crown because of his very valuable activity in the interest of high level co-operation between IBSSA and the International Knightly Order of St. George.

20th April 2008