Knighthood of Holy Sebastian in Europe
The Knighthood was founded in Eindhoven (Belgium) in 1985 on the occasion of the European Shooters' Meeting held there, at the instigation of Otto von Habsburg. The Knighthood is a community that has set itself the goal of actively promoting the peaceful development of a united, Christian Europe. The Knighthood promotes democracy, freedom and tolerance and opposes intolerance and totalitarianism. The EGS is the founder of the Knighthood, which is bound by its constitution to the Catholic House of Habsburg, which provides the Grand Master. The Knighthood is bound by the decisions of the EGS Plenary Assembly.
PRO DEO
For God
The preservation of the great Christian values found in the Ten Commandments is a focal point of the work of the Knighthood.
The Knighthood’s primary task is to preserve, strengthen and shape the Christian element of the shooting tradition.
PRO EUROPAE CHRISTIANAE UNITATE
For a united, Christian Europe
Affiliation with the Catholic Church is an important element for the Knighthood.
The Knighthood stands for the foundations of a non-denominational Christian Europe.
In a society that is increasingly turning away from faith, the commitment to a united, Christian Europe is an important task of the Knighthood. Christian Europe must preserve its Christian values and structures, which have been lived and developed for over 2000 years. To this end, it is important to embody the Christian faith convincingly in public. Other religious communities also have their own place in society.
This is required by Christian tolerance.
PRO VITA
Standing up for life is another important part of the laws of knighthood.
Life is willed by God.
The knighthood must intervene wherever life is threatened, whether by crime, by laws or by the actions of individuals.
Civil courage is required here. It is unacceptable for human life to be put at risk by other people. That is why the Knighthood will grant protection to those who need it and intervene wherever human life is threatened, making its opinion known loud and clear, whether asked or not.
Anyone who actively promotes Christian development and the continued existence of a Christian Europe can be admitted to the Knighthood.
The Knighthood commits its members (Knights) to the idea of a united Christian Europe and to chivalry, brotherhood, helpfulness and charity towards their own people and the European community. The self-image of the Knighthood includes the commitment to active Christian faith and social work.
The personal commitment of each member in all areas of society is required and expected, as are ecumenical thinking, tolerance of other faiths and an irreproachable lifestyle.
Principles and goals
For a united, Christian Europe
Affiliation with the Catholic Church is an important element for the Knighthood.
The Knighthood stands for the foundations of an interdenominational Christian Europe.
In a society that is increasingly turning away from faith, the commitment to a united, Christian Europe is an important task of the Knighthood. Christian Europe must preserve its Christian values and structures, which have been lived and developed for over 2000 years. To this end, it is important to embody the Christian faith convincingly in public. Other religious communities also have their own place in society.
This is required by Christian tolerance.
The self-image of the Knighthood includes commitment to active Christian faith and social work.
Application
A qualified application is required for admission to the Knighthood (Investiture).
Commitment to a united, Christian Europe and acceptance of the Statutes and Regulations of the Knighthood are basic requirements for admission and membership. Candidates undertake to do this in writing, as well as to pay the prescribed contributions to the Knighthood.
The following persons may be admitted as Knights Members of the Catholic Church and Christian churches recognised by it in Europe who, on the basis of their beliefs, are prepared to support the aims and purposes of the Knighthood and to be role models for young people in Europe through a Christian way of life. Membership of a brotherhood, guild or shooting club is not required!
Candidates for admission must be of good character, of legal age and able to name a guarantor from among the ranks of the Knights who will vouch for their admission.
A Knight may also propose suitable persons for admission to the Council of Knights.
Applications and admissions must be made in writing and be fully justified. The Council of Knights decides on the applications on the recommendation of the Commandery.
Admission to the Knighthood
A qualified application is required for admission to Knighthood. Admission to Knighthood is not an award in the traditional sense, but a conscious decision.
The significance of this decision is underlined by fixed rituals during the admission of a new knight in a solemn church service (Investiture). This ceremony serves to strengthen the sense of belonging to the community of knights. The admission of a new knight takes place through knighting.
New members are expected to make an admission donation for the Investiture. This donation covers the costs incurred during the Investiture.
After admission, candidates belong to the plenary assembly of the Knighthood with a seat and a vote.
Contribution regulations for members of the Knighthood
The members (Knights) support the Knighthood through an annual membership fee, the amount of which is determined by the plenary assembly.
The annual membership fee (minimum contribution €40.00) is collected by the commanderies and settled with the Treasurer. €25.00 per annum of the membership fee is paid to the EGS social welfare organisation. The Treasurer is responsible for transferring the social welfare portion of the membership fees to the social welfare organisation.
| The investment fee is as follows: | ||
|---|---|---|
Knight's Cross
|
for Knights of Devotion | €150.00 |
Officer's Cross
|
for Donors of Devotion | €175.00 |
Piis Meritis in Bronze
|
for spiritual members | €150.00 |
Piis Meritis in Silver
|
for Commandery Chaplains | €175.00 |
Magistral Cross
|
for Magistral Knights | €195.00 |
Donation Cross
|
for Donation Knights Canon/Canoness |
€215.00 |
Commander's Cross f
|
or Chairpersons of Commanderies | €225.00 |
Piis meritis in gold
|
for the spiritual leader
of the Knighthood, the President |
€225.00 |
Grand Officer's Crosswith shoulder strap |
for Chancellor and Treasurer | €225.00 |
Grand Crosswith shoulder strap |
for Subpriors Professed Knights | €225.00 |
|
Grand Cross with shoulder strap and star |
for Subpriors Professed Knights | €225.00 |
The respective investiture fee must be transferred to the specified account of the Knighthood before the investiture date. You will receive an invoice for this.
Our supporters
The EGS is the founder of the Knighthood, which is bound by its constitution to the Catholic House of Habsburg, which provides the Grand Master. The Knighthood is bound by the decisions of the EGS Plenary Assembly.
The Grand Master is Karl von Habsburg-Lothringen, Archduke of Austria.
The Prior is Albert-Henri Prince of Merode.
The Archbishop of Berlin, Dr Heiner Koch, is our episcopal spiritual advisor.
The Knighthood is a growing community of currently more than 700 knights who come from church circles, are members of Christian brotherhoods and societies, and often hold positions of responsibility in politics or society.
Community of Knights means standing up for values in friendship and solidarity.
The knightly virtues
Prudence, justice, obedience,
faith, helpfulness, bravery, loyalty and wisdom.