The Hungarian Grand Priory of the "Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, Federation of the Autonomous Priories" organised its 4th - but in a certain way unique - spectacular Knight Ceremony on the 9th April 2006 at the Royal Palace in Gödöllő / Hungary.

Prior to the Knight Investiture on the 8th April (Saturday) the Order organised a meeting of the Government members. During this meeting the members visited the Government Office for a short time at Vigadó square / Budapest.

The forthcoming program was the "Chapter of Knights and Postulants" - where Knights, Dames and the new Candidates together with their guests participated. This event took place at the "Petneházy Country Club" and started at 5.00 PM. His Excellency Prof. José Manuel Costa da Veiga COSMELLI the new Regent of the Order greeted everybody and spoke a little about the history of Knighthood. Then he summarised the activity of the Government in the last months and announced the program for the next year.

The Regent announced the nomination of the new Grand Priors, Priors and Bailiffs, and also the new Ministers, Vice Ministers and State Secretaries. During this program the following protocols were officially signed:

• Signature of the Protocol between the Federation and the "ANKH" Church of Eternal Life
• Signature of the Protocol between the Latvian Parents Association, our Ministry of Family and CNAF - the National Confederation of Family Associations of Portugal in name of the future IFFO

In the evening the official dinner took place at the Petneházy Country Club.

After the dinner at 9.30 PM a special event was organised, the "Watch of the Arms", which was held especially for Postulants but all the existing Knights could attend.

The next day, on the 9th April, the Knight Ceremony started at 1 PM and was organised - as usual - in the Royal Palace of Gödöllő.

Previous to the Inauguration Ceremony, the official part of the resignation of the Lieutenant General took place. The Lieutenant General presented his Resignation by taking out the Grand Collar and putting it on a velvet cushion and by announcing that the position of Lieutenant General is vacant. The President of the Grand Magisterial Council, HRH Prince Michael James Alexander STEWART OF ALBANY, made a short speech to announce that the Council had appointed Count Sir José COSMELLI as Regent.
OATH OF THE NEW REGENT:
"I, Jose, Knight of Saint John, do swear to fulfil all my duties as Regent of the Federation with Honesty and Loyalty, to protect and defend our Sovereign Order and all its Knights and Dames and lead them in helping and protecting those that are weak, in danger and in need, so help me God."

Then the Regent announced the nomination of the Lieutenant General and invested him by putting on him the Grand Collar of Cyprus. Prof. George POPPER - the newly appointed Lieutenant General made his oath of allegiance to the Federation and to the Regent, as follows:
"I, George, Knight of Saint John, do swear Fidelity to my Regent and to fulfil all my duties as Lieutenant General of this Federation of Autonomous Priories of Our Sovereign Order of Saint John with Honesty and Loyalty, so help me God."

After that the ceremony continued.

Public recognition for valuable services rendered to the Federation:
Sir George HUNVALD (HUN) Medal of Merit (for Humanitarian activity)
Dr. Ferenc KERTÉSZ (HUN) Golden spur

During the Knight Investiture the following high-ranking leaders of international and national organisations, successful businessmen were conferred Knight or Dame of Malta by His Eminent Highness Count José COSMELLI - the Regent of the "Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, Federation of the Autonomous Priories":

Mr. Zoltán ANGLER (Hungary)
Mrs. Júlia CZAPÁRY-MARTINCSEVICS (Hungary)
Mr. Zoltán DULAI (Croatia)
Mr. Zoltán ELEK (Hungary)
Dr. Péter FÁBIÁN (Hungary)
Dr. Ali IBRAHIM (Angola)
Mr. György KELLER (Hungary)
Mr. Csaba KERTÉSZ (Hungary)
Dr. Dainis MARKUS (Latvia)
Dr. Karlis MARKUS (Latvia)
Mrs. Piroska MOLNÁR (Hungary)
Dr. Antal MÓCZÁR (Hungary)
Mr. Nuno PEREIRA (Angola)
Mr. Adam POPPER (Hungary)
Dr. Árpád Gábor SASVÁRI (Hungary)
Mr. Zoltán SCHVÁB (Hungary)
Mr. Janis Martins SKUJA (Latvia)

Advancements of grade:

Count Sir George POPPER (HUN) was promoted to Knight Grand Collar (KGC)

Sir Gyula BRAUN (HUN) was promoted to Grand Cross of Knight of Malta

Sir dr. András CZAPÁRY-MARTINCSEVICS (HUN) was promoted to Knight Commander (KCM)
Sir dr. Béla DANIELISZ (HUN) was promoted to Knight Commander (KCM)
Sir Tiberiu DEKANY (ROM) was promoted to Knight Commander (KCM)
Sir dr. Eriks GRINBERGS (LAT) was promoted to Knight Commander (KCM)
Sir Csaba KIRÁLY (HUN) was promoted to Knight Commander (KCM)
Sir dr. József KOVÁCS (HUN) was promoted to Knight Commander (KCM)
Lady Lizica MIHUT (ROM) was promoted to Dame Commander (DCM)
Sir Alexander OSZTER (HUN) was promoted to Knight Commander (KCM)
Sir Rony KLUGER (ISR) was promoted to Knight Commander (KCM)

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
- H.R.H. Prince Michael James Alexander STEWART Count of Albany (SCO) - Head of the Royal House of Stewart, President of the Grand Council
- His Excellency Baron Eric Van de WALL (NED) - Minister of Humanitarian and Hospitaller Affairs
- His Excellency Ambassador Gyula BRAUN (HUN) - Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Her Excellency Lady Maria Teresa Sampaio Costa da MACEDO (POR) - Minister of Family Affairs

Honorary Guests:
- His Excellency Major General Dr János v KARÁSZY-KULIN MVO GCStG GCLJ HonLLD HonHLD - Grand Master of the International Knightly Order of Saint George, GCKM
- His Excellency Csaba KIRÁLY, KCM - Grand Master of the "Hungarian Order"
- I. ANKH - leader of the "ANKH" Church of Eternal Life
- Dr. László LIPP - priest of the Roman Catholic Church
- Rev. Levente B. JUHÁSZ - hon. provost bishop of the Protestant Church
- Mr. 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 Gala dinner at the "FORTUNA" Restaurant in Budapest.

15th May 2006

IBSSA HQ