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ORDO BYANTINUS SANCTI SEPULCHRI [OBSS] is a sovereign,
Dynastic Order of Chivalry which recalls the values of Christian
Chivalry and forms part of the historical heritage of
religious-chivalric Orders, particularly the Greek-Orthodox Order of
the Holy Sepulchre, the first Order of the Byzantine Empire founded
in A.D. 325 by Constantine the Great, son of St. Helen.
For
those who may be interested in joining the Order there are regular
Investiture Ceremonies being held in Europe and North America. For
more details please telephone 001 416 236 7711 to contact the
Canadian Priory , the office of
Niall Good, Baron of Byzantium K.G.C., O.B.S.S, M.A. (TCD), M.B.A.,
Ph.D.
OBSS
underwent modifications in its structure and decorations. The
present decoration consists of a Cross potent enameled in red with
gold border, with four small Crosses enamelled in silver with gold
border adjoining the four sides.
OBSS was reorganized in
1821, in 1919, in 1943, in 1965, in 1987 and in 1995 and adapted to
present day requirements by Magistral Decree of 2 January
2001.
On 5 December 1986 the Head of the Name and Arms of the
Rjurik Dynasty, Grand Master of the Order, broke with tradition in
the absence of direct heirs and nominated Lieutenant Grand Master,
Grand Cross Alfred Josef Baldacchino, Prince Grand Master ad vitam
and Supreme Head of the Order.
On 4 March 1988 The Grand Duke
by an "Act of Declaration and Passage", decreed as
follows:
"WE HAVE DECIDED to renounce, by a substantial Act
of Declaration and Passage, to the jus imperii,to the jus gladi to
the jus maistatis on the ORDO BYZANTINUS SANCTI SEPULCHRI, in favour
of H.M.E.H. Alfred Josef Baldacchino who as Prince Grand Master, has
been recognized by Us as Supreme Head of the Order and thus the only
holder of the above mentioned rights".
On 12 October 1989 the
Grand Duke, endorsing the unanimous Petition from the Magistral
Council of the Order, proclaimed H.M.E.H Prince Alfred Josef
Baldacchino di Gagry His adopted Son and dynastic Successor, in
virtue of a Testamentary Act of Dynastic Adoption, conferring on Him
as dowry the ORDO BYZANTINUS SANCTI SEPULCHRI.
On 6 August
2000 the Grand Duke renounced and transferred in absolute perpetuity
His Sovereignty and fons honorum over the in favour of H.M.E.H.
Prince Alfred Josef Baldacchino di Gagry and His legitimate
Successors.
These four Imperial Decrees, together with other
historical documents, have been enrolled in the records of a Public
Notary in Rome by the Grand Duke and the Prince Grand Master. A
notarised copy is deposited in the Archives of the Order in
Malta.
Following these developments the new Statute was
promulgated by Magistral Decree dated 2 January 2001, Feast of St.
Basil, Patron saint of the Order.
The Order enjoys special
privileges and recognitions in various countries, where it is
recognized as a Sovereign, Dynastic Order of Chivalry. In virtue of
its characteristics the ORDO BYZANTINUS SANCTI SEPULCHRI enjoys the
attributes and prerogatives of a Subject of International
Law,
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