Constantinian Order celebrates St George's Day Investiture

The Gala Dinner at the Armourers' Hall was a memorable event - attended by more than 100 leading faith, parliamentary and diplomatic figures

The annual St George's Day Mass, Investiture and Dinner of the British and Irish Delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George took place in London last week. The Sub-Prior of the British and Irish Delegation, His Grace The Most Reverend George Stack, Archbishop of Cardiff, assisted by the Order's Delegate in Great Britain and Ireland HE Mr Anthony Bailey, presided over the annual investiture ceremony of new and promoted knights, dames and medalists within the British and Irish Delegation.

The ceremony was conducted by The Most Rev George Stack, Archbishop of Cardiff and Sub Prior of the British and Irish Delegation of the Constantinian Order on behalf of the Grand Master, HRH Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, the Duke of Castro and the Grand Prior, His Eminence Renato Raffaele Cardinal Martino.

The newly decreed members of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George were: The Most Rev Kenneth Nowakowski, Bishop of the Eparchy of New Westminster of the Ukranian Greek Catholic Church in Canada (Ecclesiastical Knight Commander of Grace), The Rt Hon Lord Patten of Barnes CH (Knight Grand Cross of Merit), The Reverend Canon Peter Newby (Ecclesiastical Knight of Grace), The Baroness Hooper CMG (Dame of Merit with Star), Mr Patrick Downes (Knight Commander of Merit), Judge Patrick Durcan KCSS (Knight of Merit with Star), Mr Peter Sheridan OBE Co-operation Ireland (Knight of Merit with Star), Mr Séamus Fitzpatrick (Knight of Merit), Mr John Cowdall (Knight of Merit), Mr Kevin Hart (Knight of Merit) and Mr Peter Bertoncini (Silver Benemerenti Medal).

The newly decreed members of the Royal Order of Francis I were: His Eminence Elisey, Archbishop of Sourozh, Head of the Russian Orthodox Church in Great Britain & Ireland (Knight Grand Cross), Major General Jonathan Hall CB, OBE (Knight Commander), Mr Saleem Kidwai OBE Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Wales (Knight First Class), Mr Maurice Ostro, Council for Christians and Jews (Knight First Class), The Rev Canon Dr William Taylor, Anglican and Eastern Churches Association (Knight First Class), Mr John Barber DL (Knight First Class), Mr Anthony McGorrigan (Knight First Class), Mr John Sherman (Knight First Class) and Mrs Elizabeth Thornborough (Dame First Class).

During the evening, the Delegate HE Mr Anthony Bailey hosted a black tie candlelit dinner at the historic Armourers' Hall in London attended by 100 leading faith, parliamentary and diplomatic figures. The Guest Speaker was HE Mr Pasquale Terracciano, Ambassador of the Italian Republic who spoke of the positive and prominent role of the Constantinian Order in Italy today and also of the contribution made by the Bourbon Two Sicilies dynasty to southern Italy.

The Delegate delivered a welcome address and spoke of the past year as being one of great celebration for the Order for it marked the 1700th anniversary of Emperor Constantine's Edict of Milan of 313AD and the 50th anniversary of the Constantinian Order's recognition by the President and Government of the Italian Republic. The Delegate also spoke about the Order's planned activities for the rest of 2014, including the launch of high profile charitable activities in Europe, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

For further information, please contact the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George, 12 Queen's Gate Gardens, London SW7 5LY. Tel: 020 75940275. Website: www.constantinian.org.uk/ Email: chancery@constantinian.org.uk