Report on the Knight Investiture 27th – 28th April 2007, 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 6th spectacular Knight Ceremony on the 28th April 2007 at the Royal Palace in Gödöllő.

Prior to the Knight Investiture on the 27th April (Friday) the Order organised numerous meetings of the Government members, FEMERAID members and others at the Government Guest House in the Andrássy street, except the Government Meeting, which was held in Diósjenő at the residency of Sir Alexander OSZTER in the recently sanctified delightful Knights’ Hall.

During the KMFAP-FEMERAID (States of Emergency, Emergency Care Services, States of Catastrophe, Emergency Rescue Teams and Emergency Task Force Teams) session in the Government Guest House a training program was created, of this fast reacting and crisis intervening stand-by organization, with the help of which – involving internationally recognised teachers – courses will be held on the Pro Deo State University. The topics of foundation of the International Operational Centre in Italy, the institutional co-operation between the local FEMARAID Units and the national governments, and an international telephone hotline with an alarm e-mail box were discussed too.

In the afternoon the first program of candidates was the “General 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 Count Sir Prof. José Manuel Costa da Veiga COSMELLI – the Regent of the Order greeted everybody and spoke a little about the history of Knighthood. This meeting was a perfect place also for the project leaders to delineate the results of several currently running projects, and to ask for further help for the assignments. The presenters did speak of the co-operation with the Cardiological Institution of Angola (ACCOR – which is Angola’s biggest heart hospital) and a program that helps an orphanage in Angola and another in Hungary. The knights came to know a number of really interesting projects. In one of these they will use the ancient Brazilian martial art, capoeira (that was brought to South-America by black slaves) to rehabilitate war-victims and reintegrate them into the society. Some Hungarian projects are also based on really genuine ideas. Plan of an expedition (the MIND Expedition), for example, which will come over 270.000 kilometres and 200 countries during five years and aims to ease the religious, ethnical and cultural problems during the involvement of the youth, and the abolishment of discrimination with the help of reviewing the differences. One of the most important plans, the “Let’s have a sibling!” project was presented by a Hungarian knight, as well. This conception gives the chance for rich youngsters living on high living standards to “adopt” an indigent child of the same age. According to the plans the widespread of this conception can be a successful device against poverty.

Later on Sir Levente GYENES, GCKM – Vice Minister of Humanitarian Affairs for Hungary made a short presentation of his group – the Catastrophe, Mitigation of Damages, Preventive and Assistance Unit – dealing with international disaster recovery: as it emerged, the crew’s headcount has climbed from 25 to more than 200 volunteers. As we heard, adequately modern equipment is coupling the numerous specialists, so they are able to give fast and professional help in every disaster areas of the world.

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.

In the evening at 8 PM the official dinner topped the day, which was organised at the “FORTUNA” Restaurant in the Buda Castle. It gave a special pleasure to the evening that Sir Joey DeMaio, Minister of Youth – besides being the bass guitar player and songwriter of the world famous Manowar metal band – has visited the dinner as well – similarly to other leaders of high standing.

The next day, on the 28th April, the Knight Ceremony started at 12.00 and was organised – as usual – in the Royal Palace of Gödöllő. 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 greeted the representatives of 12 different nations, the 23 Maltese and the 4 Cyprian postulants and all present Knights, Dames of the Federation and also the dear guests.

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:

Mr. Helme ANTAR (Sierra Leone)
Mr. László BENEDEK (HUN)
Ms. Erika DEBRECENI (HUN)
Mr. Attila DOBAI (HUN)
Mr. György DOBÓ (HUN)
Mr. Sándor GÁSPÁR (HUN)
Mr. István GYENES (HUN)
Mr. Ferenc HASZILLÓ (HUN)
Mr. András HERTZKA (HUN)
Mr. László Tibor HORVÁTH (HUN)
Mr. László KLINKA (HUN)
Ms. Erika MACSÁRI (HUN)
Mr. Zoltán MÁGA (HUN)
Mrs. Adrien MILESZ-HOCK (HUN)
Mr. András NIKLÓS (HUN)
Dr. Klára PERJÉSI (HUN)
Dr. Ádám SCHUMAN (HUN)
Mrs. Sara Ines SILVA NEIVA (Angola)
Dr. Sándor TÓTH (HUN)
Mr. Sándor ZELLES (HUN)

and others, who did not intend to show up for the public.

The Regent spoke to the newly inaugurated Knights and Dames about the unforgettable and unrepeatable day of the initiation and he explicated that “peace is not the pause of war, but when there is no violence.” He spotted that “poverty in the 21st century and the diseases mean violence as well” and underlined: the most important task of the members of KMFAP is to show that knights’ virtues are still actual in the modern world and with the help of them we can be able to change the world.

The speech was followed by appointments, promotions and also by the ceremony of the Sovereign Order of Cyprus with many other spectacular formalities.

27 new members, amongst them 4 Cyprian knights representing the Order’s military wing (“Knights of Sword and Silence”) got into the assorted company of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, Federation of the Autonomous Priories – after the delineation of their most important issues achieved during their lives until now.

The following personalities became members of the Ecumenical Council of the Order:

• Eng. Paolo Teixeira JORGE (Angola), GCKM
• Rev. Sir Joey DeMAIO (USA), GCKM
• Rev. John PETTIGRASS (USA), KM

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

Sir Joey DeMAIO Medal of Merit of the Order
Sir John PETTIGRASS Medal of Merit of the Order
Sir István Miklós BÁNÓ Medal of Merit from the Grand Prior of Hungary
Sir László CSEREKLEI Medal of Merit from the Grand Prior of Hungary

Advancements of grade:

Lady Elisabete ISIDORO (Angola) was promoted to Grand Cross Dame of Malta (GCDM)
Sir Joey DeMAIO (USA) was promoted to Grand Cross Knight of Malta (GCKM)
Sir Károly András NAGY (Hungary) was promoted to Grand Cross Knight of Malta (GCKM)

Sir József PINTÉR (Hungary) was promoted to Grand Officer Knight of Malta (GOKM)

Lady Marina KLÉZL (Hungary) was promoted to Dame Commander (DCM)
Sir Alexander MILESZ (Hungary) was promoted to Knight Commander (KCM)

The Regent gave a short explanation about the Order of Cyprus and invited Prof. George POPPER – Grand Executive Chancellor of the Order of Cyprus to conduct the Knighthood Ceremony.

The following Knights of Malta and IBSSA members became the new Knights of the Order of Cyprus:

Sir Antal KOLLÁR
Mr. Ákos KENEDI
Mr. László REINDL
Mr. György B. RÓZSA

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 Gyula BRAUN (HUN) – Minister of Foreign Affairs
His Excellency József PINTÉR (HUN) – Minister of Technological Innovation
His Excellency Joey DeMAIO (USA) – Minister of Youth
His Excellency Jerry L. BRUMLEY (USA) – Minister of Finances

Honorary Guests:
His Excellency Csaba KIRÁLY, KCM – Grand Master of the “Hungarian Order”
I. ANKH – leader of the “ANKH” Church of Eternal Life
Sir 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 „I. International Soirée-Ball for Knigths and Bodyguards” in the Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal, where the new dames and knights received their diplomas vindicating their assignments.


7th May 2007

IBSSA HQ