Becoming av member
As an ecumenical Christian Order of Chivalry, membership of the Order of Saint Lazarus is by invitation-only to both men and women who are practicing and committed Christians, are of good character and standing in their community, and who wish to help suffering mankind.
This invitation usually comes from one of our active members, and often, from the leadership at the national or regional level. Interested prospective members must provide a personal CV, and have a favourable personal interview by at least two Knights or Dames of the Order. Those who still wish to continue will then complete detailed application forms, which are then vetted by the Membership Council of the respective national jurisdiction. Should the applicant win approval, both by the proper jurisdictions Council, and subsequently by the Magistry and the Grand Master, the applicant is then invited to join the order as a postulant, and will be invested (typically) at the grade of Member (MLJ) or Officer (OLJ) in due course.
Membership in the Order is truly a lifelong commitment, and should not be taken lightly. We are a working Order, and we have many things to accomplish. If you are still interested in taking up the Cross of St. Lazarus, you are invited to contact the Grand Chancery to get the appropriate form of application. The Constitution of the Order requires that you join through your own national jurisdiction; that is, the national unit, hosted by your country of citizenship (i.e., a citizen of Italy would be required to join through the Grand Priory of Italy). Members not resident in their home countries would still join through their home jurisdictions.
Obligation of Members
Every person proposed for admission into the Order shall be a practicing member of the Christian faith and shall be of sound mind and of such means and position as will enable her or him to live honourably and to observe fully and freely the laws and decrees of the Order. Each Postulant must prove that he is a person of irreproachable conduct, honour and integrity, and if he is married, that the contract of marriage into which he had entered is perfectly honourable and is valid in accordance with the laws or regulations of their particular Christian denomination.
A number of obligations are demanded of members when admitted to the Order: All Members have to observe the Constitution and other by-laws of the Order and to obey their senior officers. There are some financial obligations, like the payment of chancery and annual fees. Each member is asked to participate actively, according to ability, in the hospitaller work for the sick, the disabled, the elderly and all who are in need. This involves the concerned giving of services and funds, or the supply of medicines, equipment, clothing and other necessary items required by the helpless and needy. Also it is expected that every Member will endeavor, where possible, to support the Order by attendance at as many of its events as possible like Investitures, chapter and international meetings or the annual St. Lazarus Service. Members are encouraged to pray daily for the well-being and extension of the Order.
The Investiture, the wearing the mantle and the green eight pointed cross are more than a ritualistic maintenance of an old tradition; they are symbols of brotherhood and dedication to Christianity. All Members of the Order shall be practicing members in good standing within their particular denomination. They shall be committed to the upholding with their lives, fortunes and honour, the principles of Christianity, and shall stand united before all men in their determination to live and die following the teaching of Christ and His Holy Church. The pursuit of unity is shown by respecting the other Christian denominations represented in the Order and by praying together for true unity. All Members form a spiritual family and brotherhood, sharing and helping each other at all times, and particularly in times of trouble. Each Member does, when admitted to the Order, solemnly undertake, before God and the assembled congregation, to maintain and defend this code of conduct.