The Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus: Faith, Loyalty, and Power of Two Orders Merged into One
The unique merger in history brought together the Order of Saint Maurice and the Order of Saint Lazarus - into a single powerful and prestigious Chivalric Order, protected by the Royal House of Savoy!
The Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus, or Ordine dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro, is the second in precedence among the prestigious Dynastic Chivalric Orders of the Royal House of Savoy, ranking immediately after the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation, or Ordine Supremo della Santissima Annunziata, which The Investiture covered in a dedicated article, on 22 June 2024!
In an unprecedented turn of events, The Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus was brought to life by Pope Gregory XIII through the papal bull Pro Commissa Nobis, on 13 November 1572.
The unique merger in history brought together the previous Order of Saint Maurice and the ancient Order of Saint Lazarus - into a single powerful and prestigious Chivalric Order, under the protection of the House of Savoy, in perpetuity!
The upcoming Capitolo Generale of the Ordini Dinastici della Real Casa di Savoia will take place in Rome on 4 and 5 October 2024. This prestigious event brings together Knights and Dames of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy from around the world to celebrate their shared commitment to chivalric values and humanitarian efforts.
The Capitolo Generale traditionally includes formal ceremonies where members are admitted or promoted within the Order, followed by presentations highlighting charitable activities supported by the Orders, which range from healthcare initiatives to cultural restoration projects. A Gala Dinner will also be held, with proceeds often benefiting important charitable endeavors supported by the Orders.
This year’s Capitolo Generale of the Ordini Dinastici della Real Casa di Savoia holds particular significance as it marks a period of transition for the Savoy Orders following the passing of the Grand Master, HRH late Vittorio Emanuele IV of Savoy, in 2024. His son, HRH Prince Emanuele Filiberto, Prince of Piedmont and Prince of Venice, will chair the event, continuing the legacy of the House of Savoy while introducing modern initiatives aimed at expanding the Orders' societal, religious, and charitable reach.
His Royal Highness Prince Emanuele Filiberto, Prince of Piedmont and Prince of Venice is the 27th Duke of Savoy, the 29th Grand Master of the Supreme Order of the Santissima Annunziata, the 18th Grand Master of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus and the 7th Grand Master of the Order Civil of Savoy.
At the beginning of June, the Royal House of Savoy released the first official photo portrait as the Duke of Savoy and Grand Master of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy.
In this photo portrait, his Royal Highness wears the insignia of the Grand Master of the Supreme Order of the Santissima Annunziata, the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus, the Order of Merit of Savoy along with the Knight of the Grand Cross of Honor and Devotion of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
The ceremonies at the upcoming Capitolo Generale of the Ordini Dinastici della Real Casa di Savoia will likely include a memorial tribute to the late titular King of Italy, as well as a reflection on the ongoing humanitarian projects across Europe and beyond, reinforcing the historical mission of the Orders in serving the common good!
The Cult of Saint Maurice
The roots of the Order reach back to the heroic and tragic tale of Saint Maurice, a Roman officer from Thebes (modern Egypt), who led the fabled Theban Legion. In the late 3rd century AD, Emperor Maximian ordered the Theban Legion to suppress a rebellion in Gaul, enforce the worship of Roman gods, and partake in Roman religious sacrifices. When Saint Maurice and his legion refused, choosing to remain faithful to their Christian beliefs over imperial command, the emperor ordered a decimation—a cruel form of discipline where one in every ten men was executed.
Yet, even as soldiers fell around him, Maurice’s unshaken faith inspired the legion to remain defiant. In the end, the entire legion, numbering 6,600, was slaughtered near Agaunum (modern-day Saint-Maurice-en-Valais, Switzerland).
Saint Maurice was martyred around 286 A.D. and his martyrdom elevated him to sainthood, sparking a widespread cult across Western Europe. During the Middle Ages, hordes of pilgrims visited his shrine at the east shore of the Geneva Lake on his feast day. Today, there are more than 600 parish churches and towns named after Saint Maurice, as his martyrdom figured among the highest acts of faith venerated by Christians. He was also the patron saint of the Holy Roman Empire, of Austria as well as of the Papal Swiss Guards in the Vatican.
Often depicted as a Roman soldier, Saint Maurice is one of the earliest known black saints in Christian iconography, reflecting his Egyptian heritage. His story significantly influenced military and religious institutions, embedding his legacy in Christian chivalric traditions.
The veneration of Saint Maurice continues to be celebrated annually on 22 September, commemorating the sacrifice of him and his legion.
The Rise of the Order of Saint Maurice
The origins of the original Order of Saint Maurice date back to 13 February 1434, when Duke Amadeus VIII of Savoy - who would later become the antipope Felix V - convened a group of ordained noblemen into a form of 'noble society' known as the Order of Saint Maurice, at the Castle of Rippaille. This group accompanied him as he withdrew from secular life into a hermit-like existence.
However, this organization quickly faced suppression when Amadeus VIII accepted to be elected antipope Felix V. Upon resigning from the papacy in 1449, Felix V recognized the authority of Pope Nicholas V in Rome. Despite the turmoil, the original 'noble society' of Saint Maurice is believed to have survived until 1536, when French forces initially occupied the Duke of Savoy’s territory, until 1559.
Over a century after the death of Amadeus VIII, the Order of St. Maurice declined. To restore the nobility's prestige and legitimacy within Savoy, Emmanuel Philibert (1553-1580), the fourth Duke of Savoy, managed to revive the order in 1571 with a military and religious character initially by Pope Pius V.
The Order of Saint Lazarus: Defending the Faith and Caring for the Poor and Sick
The ancient Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem was established as a hospitaller order, functioning both as a military and religious community, during the time of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem.
Its origins trace back to around 1100, with the foundation of the Hospital of St. Lazarus by a group of crusaders who called themselves the Knights and Brethren of St. Lazarus.
According to tradition, the Biblical figure Lazarus led a holy life by caring for the poor and sick, which made him the patron saint of lepers. His name later inspired the terms lazar for a leper and lazaretto for leprosaria or leper houses, where the diseased were sheltered. The primary mission of the Order was to assist lepers, many of whom became members.
The Order was endowed with estates and privileges, including the right to administer and inherit the property of lepers. It flourished until it began to decline due to the loss of its possessions, the diminishing prevalence of leprosy in Western Europe, and internal leadership rivalries.
As the Saracens advanced, the Knights of St. Lazarus left the Holy Land and Egypt, relocating to France in 1291 and to Naples in 1311, where they continued their mission by establishing leper hospitals. These confinement houses for contagious diseases are still referred to as lazarettos in Italy today.
The Naples branch of the Order was eventually recognized by the Holy See as the legitimate successor of the original Jerusalem-based community. The Order was granted authority to detain and quarantine individuals suspected of having leprosy and was responsible for managing the estates of those affected by the disease.
During the 15th and early 16th centuries, the Order's headquarters were located at the St. Lazarus hospital near Capua. However, internal dissension among the knights caused the Order to decline. Attempts at unification with other orders by the Popes Pius II and Sixtus IV did not succeed.
Following the tenure of Giannotto Castiglioni, leadership passed to Duke Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy, also in 1571.
The Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus: The Birth of the New Power
The critical development came under the leadership of Duke Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy, as the Order of Saint Maurice and the Order of Saint Lazarus were united by the Papal Bull Pro Commissa Nobis of Pope Gregory XIII, on 13 November 1572.
Also, the Grand Mastership of the Order was granted by the Pope in perpetuo to the Head of the House of Savoy by Magistral letters patent of 12 January 1573, along with the symbolic unification of the two orders' crosses, on 15 June 1573.
This fusion successfully resolved the issue of the legacy of the Order of Saint Lazarus, and gave birth to a prestigious Chivalric Order under the House of Savoy’s protection and finally resolved its medieval disputes with the kingdoms of Spain and France, and it became a unified force for charity and nobility.
The House of Savoy and the Order
The reputation of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus grew so significantly that European sovereigns encouraged their most prominent noblemen to seek admission.
As the centuries passed, the Order shifted its focus from military endeavors to humanitarian efforts, particularly in healthcare. The construction and operation of hospitals became a priority, particularly in Piedmont. Despite the near eradication of leprosy by the 17th century, a resurgence occurred in the 18th century. This focus on leprosy and healthcare became the Order’s main mission for the following centuries. By the time the statutes were published in 1816, the Order had completely shed its military function.
Significant reforms to the Order were made by Charles Albert of Savoy, King of Piedmont, in 1831, followed by further adjustments by Victor Emmanuel II of Italy in 1868. The late Grand Master, Prince Victor Emmanuel of Savoy, implemented additional reforms in 1996 and again in 1999 to modernize the Order’s structure.
Following the unification of Italy in 1861 and the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy under the House of Savoy, the knighthood of Saints Maurice and Lazarus became a state honor. It was awarded by the King, the hereditary Grand Master, to individuals who had distinguished themselves in public service, science, arts, commerce, and, most importantly, charitable works.
Although the Italian monarchy was abolished by referendum in 1946 and a republic was established, King Umberto II, who went into exile in Portugal, remained Grand Master of the Order. The Holy See continued to recognize the King’s leadership of the Order due to its dynastic character, as it had been confirmed by papal authority in 1573. Upon King Umberto's death in 1983, his son, Prince Victor Emmanuel of Savoy, became the Head of the Royal House of Savoy and the 17th Grand Master of the Order, until he passed away on 3 February 2024.
The Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus Today
Today, the Order includes close to 5,000 members, Knights, and Dames of various ranks, organized into more than 30 Delegations worldwide. The Order’s administration is supported by a Grand Chancellor, an Executive Committee, a Council, and Delegates responsible for their regional Delegations. The Order’s Chancellery is based in Geneva, where it coordinates its global activities.
The Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus is divided into five classes for male members and three classes for female members, reflecting the hierarchical structure common to chivalric orders.
For male members, the five ranks are as follows:
Knight Grand Cordon: This is the highest class, where members wear a sash that extends from the right shoulder to the left hip. They also wear the order’s insignia and a star on the left side of their chest.
Grand Officer: Members of this rank wear a necklet plus the order’s star on the left side of the chest.
Commander: The Commander class wears a necklet without a star.
Officer: Officers wear a gold insignia on the left side of the chest.
Knight: Knights wear a smaller silver insignia on the left side of the chest.
For female members, there are three ranks:
Dame Grand Cordon: Similar to their male counterparts, they wear a sash and the order’s badge.
Dame Commander: They wear the insignia on a necklet, and during daytime events, it is worn in a bow form on the left chest.
Dame: They wear a smaller necklet, also in a bow form, during both day and evening events.
Also, the Grand Master can appoint hereditary jus patronatus Commanders of Merit.
Additionally, there is a Special Class reserved for the Grand Master of the Order, where the insignia features diamonds and is worn as a sash from the right shoulder to the left hip, along with the badge and star on the left side of the stomach.
Insignia of the Order
The insignia of the Order is a gilt, white-enamel cross bottony representing the Cross of Saint Maurice. Superimposed on it is a green Maltese Cross, which is the Cross of Saint Lazarus.
This combination symbolizes the unity of the two original orders. For ranks above Knight and Dame, the badge is topped by a gilt crown. The star of the Order is silver-faceted with either eight points for the Grand Cross or four points for Grand Officers. It features the badge (without the crown) in the center.
The ribbon of the Order is apple green, symbolizing the association with Saint Lazarus and healing. The diversity of the insignia across ranks not only reflects the status within the Order but also preserves the historical significance of the military and religious origins of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus.
In 2001, the late Grand Master appointed his son, Prince Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy, as Grand Chancellor. As the President of A.I.C.O.D.S. (International Association of the Dynastic Orders of the House of Savoy), Prince Emmanuel Philibert assisted in managing the direction and governance of the Orders. His leadership and involvement helped preserve the Order’s legacy and continue its charitable endeavors.
The potential participation of Princess Vittoria of Savoy in the Capitolo Generale of the Ordini Dinastici di Casa Savoia on 4 and 5 October 2024, would hold great symbolic importance.
As the designated heir to the House of Savoy, her presence would underscore the continuity and future leadership of the Savoy family in both its dynastic and charitable roles. Princess Vittoria’s involvement in the event signals a generational shift, as she begins to take on more visible responsibilities within the Orders and the broader legacy of the Royal House of Savoy. Her active role not only reinforces her position as a future leader but also aligns with the modernizing vision of Prince Emmanuel Philibert, who seeks to expand the Orders' relevance in today’s world.
Her potential participation would also strengthen the connection between the younger generation and the traditions of the House of Savoy, ensuring that the charitable missions and values of the Orders continue into the future. Princess Vittoria’s visibility at such key events marks a pivotal moment for the House, as it adapts to contemporary challenges while preserving its historical heritage
Each year, two major international ceremonies are held. One, to honor deceased members of the Royal Family, is conducted at the Royal Abbey of Hautecombe in the former Duchy of Savoy, now part of France. The other, known as the Capitolo Generale (Chapter General) of the Savoy Orders, includes the admission and promotion of members. It is typically held in Geneva or at the Abbey of St. Maurice d’Agaune in Switzerland, with additional ceremonies in Rome, Italy.