Report on the Knight Investiture 15<sup>th</sup> - 16<sup>th</sup> September 2006, Budapest / Hungary


The Hungarian Grand Priory of the "Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, Federation of the Autonomous Priories" organised its 5th spectacular Knight Ceremony on the 16th September 2006 at the Royal Palace in Gödöllő / Hungary.

Prior to the Knight Investiture on the 15th September (Friday) the Order organised a meeting of the Government members. The forthcoming program was the "Chapter of Knights and Postulants", where Knights, Dames and the new Candidates together with their guests participated and it started at 5.00 PM. His Eminent Highness Prof. José Manuel Costa da Veiga COSMELLI - the Regent of the Order greeted everybody and spoke a little about the history of Knighthood. Then he summarised the activity of the Government in the last months and announced the program for the next year. At 7.00 PM a special event was organised, the "Watch of the Arms", which was held especially for Postulants but all the existing Knights could attend.

All official programs of the Knight Order took place at the Government Guest House.

In the evening at 8 PM the official dinner was organised at the Thököly Restaurant.

The next day, on the 16th September, the Knight Ceremony started at 12.00 and was organised - as usual - in the Royal Palace of Gödöllő.

During the Knight Investiture the following high-ranking leaders of international and national organisations, successful businessmen were conferred Knight of Malta by His Eminent Highness Count José Manuel Costa da Veiga COSMELLI - the Regent of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, Federation of the Autonomous Priories:

  • Mr. Levente B. JUHÁSZ (HUN)
  • Mr. Ernő LAZAROVITS (HUN)
  • Dr. László LIPP (HUN)
  • Dr. Ahmet Halit EROL (TUR)
  • Mr. Attila J. HEGYI (HUN)
  • Mr. Géza KÁLOVITS (HUN)
  • Mr. Zoltán MIKLÓS (HUN)
  • Dr. Gábor MUSKOVSZKY (HUN)
  • Mr. Károly András NAGY (HUN)
  • Dr. Slavko PALEKSIC (BSN)
  • Mr. János PÁLOCSKA (HUN)
  • Dr. Sándor TÉGLÁS (HUN)
  • Dr. Péter VÁSÁRHELYI (HUN)

The following Clergymen became members of the New Ecumenical Council of the Order:

  • I. ANKH - leader of the ANKH Church of Eternal Life
  • Dr. László LIPP - priest of the Roman Catholic Church
  • Rev. Levente B. JUHÁSZ - hon. provost bishop of the Protestant Church
  • Prof. Ernő LAZAROVITS - foreign affairs leader of the Hungarian Jewish Religious Community

Public recognition for valuable services rendered to the Federation by various persons:

  • Sir I. ANKH Medal of Merit from the Grand Prior of Hungary

Advancements of grade:

  • Countess Lady Anna POPPER (HUN) was promoted to Grand Cross Dame of Malta
  • Sir dr. Frank PHILIPOOM (NED) was promoted to Knight Commander (KCM)

The Regent announced the Ceremonial that will follow and explained it in brief words. Then the Regent invited The Lieutenant General, Fra Abel as professed knights to stand on his left and all the Clergymen to stand on His right.

Sir Róbert Maximilian JANKOVICH kneed in front of the Regent and accepted by his free will and choice to become Professed Knight of the Order. Sir Róbert swore before God

  • to keep Chastity in his acts and thoughts in all moments of his life, public and private
  • to refuse the temptation of the earthly goods and live his life in Poverty
  • to continue obeying to God, to his Regent and to his Superiors in the Sovereign Order

The Regent asked the Members of the Ecumenical Council and the Clergymen to bless Fra Sir Maximilian. After the blessing the Master of Ceremonies covered Fra Maximilian with the cape of the Professed Knights.

ORDER OF CYPRUS CEREMONY

The Regent gave a short explanation about the Order of Cyprus. Sir Csaba KERTÉSZ offered to the Regent the new sword for the Order.

The Regent asked the Clergymen to bless the sword and handed it to Prof. George POPPER - Grand Executive Chancellor of the Order of Cyprus and invited him to conduct the Knighthood Ceremony.

The following Knights of Malta became the new Knights of the Order of Cyprus:

  • Sir Alexander MILESZ
  • Sir Levente GYENES

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

  • His Excellency Prof. George POPPER (HUN) - Lieutenant General, Grand Prior of the Hungarian Langue
  • His Excellency Baron Eric Van de WALL (NED) - Minister of Humanitarian and Hospitaller Affairs
  • His Excellency Ambassador Gyula BRAUN (HUN) - Minister of Foreign Affairs
  • Her Excellency Lady Maria Teresa Sampaio Costa da MACEDO (POR) - Minister of Family Affairs

Honorary Guests:

  • His Excellency Csaba KIRÁLY, KCM - Grand Master of the "Hungarian Order"
  • Dame Zsuzsanna KOVÁCS VÉRTES - Hungarian Grand Prior of International Knightly Order of St. George
  • I. ANKH - leader of the ANKH Church of Eternal Life
  • Dr. László LIPP - priest of the Roman Catholic Church
  • Rev. Levente B. JUHÁSZ - hon. provost bishop of the Protestant Church
  • Prof. Ernő LAZAROVITS - foreign affairs leader of the Hungarian Jewish Religious Community

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.

20th October 2006
IBSSA HQ