Report on the Knight Investiture 21 – 23 October 2005, Budapest / Hungary

The Hungarian Chapter of the „Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, Federation of Autonomous Priories” organised its 4th – but in a certain way unique – spectacular Knight Ceremony on the 22nd October 2005, at the Royal Palace in Gödöllo / Hungary.

Prior to the Knight Investiture on the 21st October (Friday) the Order organised a very special ceremony. On this particular occasion His Beatitude Dom Lorenzo accepted the title “Grand Master”. The private ceremony – where only Knights, Dames and the new Candidates were allowed to attend – took place at the “Teleki- Dégenfeld Castle of Szirák” and started at 5.00 PM.

In the evening the official dinner was held at the Castle Hotel Szirák, where all VIPs and other guests were accommodated for Friday night.

The next day, on the 22nd October, the Knight Ceremony started at 1 PM in the Royal Palace of Gödöllo.

Previous to the Inauguration Ceremony, the official part of the adoption took place, when His Beatitude Dom Lorenzo was granted officially to Grand Master. HRH Prince Michael James Alexander STEWART OF ALBANY held his short speech and His Beatitude Dom Lorenzo swore to live and act according to the below-mentioned statement:

“I, Dom Lorenzo Abrunedo, swear to uphold the constitution of our non-territorial state to the end of my days. I swear to lead the Order faithfully, to strive to bring peace where there is strife, to combat poverty and promote the humanitarian ideals upon which our Order was funded. So help me God.”

After that the ceremony continued.

His Eminent Highness Dom Lorenzo read the new Decree concerning the Knight Order:

• Modification of the Statutes
• Setting up the Grand Council
• Appointment of the members to the new Ministerial Chamber

The following Knights were nominated and became members of the newly constituted Ministerial Chamber:

• Sir dr. Joseph KOVÁCS Secretary of State for Cultural Affairs
• Sir Alexander OSZTER Secretary of State for Cultural Activities
• Sir dr. Levente GYENES Vice Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Chief Commander of the FEMERAID Hungarian Unit
• Sir Constantin BUZATU Vice Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Chief Commander of the FEMERAID Romanian Republic Unit
• Sir Alexandr CACH Vice Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Chief Commander of the FEMERAID Czech Republic Unit
• Sir Béla DANIELISZ Vice Rector for the Hungarian Extension of the Patriarchal Studium Generale, Universitas PRO-DEO

Granting noble titles:

• Sir José Cosmelli received the title “Count”
• Sir George Popper received the title “Count”

During the Knight Investiture numerous high-ranking leaders of international and national organisations, successful businessmen were conferred Knight or Dame of Malta by His Eminent Highness Dom Lorenzo O.S.B. – the Grand Master of the „Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, Federation of Autonomous Priories”, Patriarch and Primate Metropolitan of the American Orthodox Catholic Church, Jurisdiction of New York.

The following Postulants were inaugurated to Dame or Knight of Malta during the ceremony:

• Mr. Jerry L. BRUMLEY (USA)
• Mr. Csaba CZIBULA (Hungary)
• Mr. Gyula DÉVAI KOVÁCS (Hungary)
• Mr. György HUNVALD (Hungary)
• Mr. Antal KOLLÁR (Hungary)
• Mr. Nicolas KOSZTA (Hungary)
• Mr. József MUJZER (Hungary)
• Mrs. Marianne PÁPA (Hungary)
• Mr. Béla SÁROSI (Hungary)
• Mrs. Katalin SZÁSZ (Hungary)
• Mr. Gábor VERBÓI (Hungary)

Advancements of grade:

• Sir Levente GYENES (Hungary) was promoted to Grand Cross of Knight of Malta (GCKM)
• Sir Constantin BUZATU (Romania) was promoted to Grand Cross of Knight of Malta (GCKM)
• Lady Anna POPPER (Hungary) was promoted to Dame Grand Officer of Malta

On the Knight Ceremony and during all official programs the following high-ranking personalities supported and stood by the Grand Master of the Order:

• H.R.H. Prince Michael James Alexander STEWART Count of Albany (SCO) – Head of the Royal House of Stewart, President of the European Council of Princes, Patron and Protector of the Hungarian Imperial Order the Dragon
• His Excellency Prof. George POPPER (HUN) – Governor of the Knight Order, Grand Cross of Knight of Malta
• His Excellency Prof. José Manuel Costa Da Veiga COSMELLI (POR) – Prime Minister of the Knight Order
• His Excellency Dr. Eric Van de WALL (NED) – Minister of the Order, Grand Officer of Knight of Malta
• His Excellency Dr. Abel de Lacerda BOTELHO (POR) – Ambassador of the Order
• His Excellency Major General Dr János v KARÁSZY-KULIN MVO GCStG GCLJ HonLLD HonHLD – Grand Master of the International Knightly Order of Saint George, Grand Cross of Knight of Malta

Awards of great significance:

• Sir Csaba KIRÁLY (HUN) Honour of Merit (for Humanitarian activity)
• Sir László BARÁTH, KCM (HUN) Honour of Merit (for Humanitarian activity)

Thanks to:

• Dr. RÉVÉSZ T. Mihály – Director of the Grassalkovich Palace, Gödöllo
• Sir Sándor MILESZ – for his continuous support
• Management of the Teleki-Dégenfeld Palace, Szirák

At the end of the ceremony the present officials, Knights and Dames commemorated the deceased Knights.

• Jacobus PHILIPOOM
• Ichi Harold BRUMLEY
• Emilio LOBERA CASTILLO
• Dr. András BÓCSI

Closing the Ceremony the newly inaugurated Knights, Dames, all other officials of the Order and the guests attended the Gala dinner at the “FORTUNA” Restaurant in Budapest.

15th November 2005

IBSSA HQ