Order Handbook

The Order of St. George – An Overview

In my role as Chancellor so far of the Order of St George, I am pleased to present the second expanded edition of this handbook to you. It offers an overview of the most important topics and contexts around the Order of St George. As a compact reference book, this manual is aimed at the existing members of our community as well as at all interested ones and at future Dames and Knights of the Order; it is intended to serve as a guide and orientation.

The first part covers not only our mission and our values, which each and every one of us professes, but also the significance of our patron saint, Saint George, the relationship of the Order to the Archducal House of Habsburg-Lorraine as well as our moving and eventful Order history in a condensed form. The history section captures the most important moments and tasks of the Order of St George at that time and today.

In the following, all structural and organisational aspects, such as rights and duties, clothing and the way we wear the insignia, are explained. A separate section is also dedicated to the charitable task of the Order, which is primarily the responsibility of the Dames, and to the the specific organisation of the Dames.

An overview of the terms ‘chivalry’ and ‘order’, as well as the classification of our Order in the multitude of orders, round off this short introduction.

I would also like to draw your attention to the additional information in this edition in the appendices (e.g. constitution, statutes, wear order) and the updates on some specific topics (e.g. cooperations, structure, communication), which have been developed and refined as a result of the intensive work carried out by all officials in recent years since the first edition of this handbook.

We hope this reference book will help each and every one of you to better navigate our community and strengthen your personal commitment to pursue our goals.

(Excerpt from the foreword of the Chancellor)