The Great Priory of Malta is contained within The Great Priory of the United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St. John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta of England and Wales and its Provinces Overseas. Prospective Candidates must be a Knight Templar and possession of the Malta degree is a requirement to become Eminent Preceptor of a Knights Templar Preceptory. The Order of Knights of the Hospital of St. John at Jerusalem was founded in the early twelfth century, originally to care to poor or distressed pilgrims to the Holy Land. Following the reconquest of the Holy Land by Islamic forces, the Order was subsequently based in Rhodes and Malta. The Masonic Malta degree appeared as an Appendant Order to the Masonic Knights Templar at an early stage. The main ceremony, which is preceded by the short ‘passing degree’ of Knight of St. Paul, or Mediterranean Pass, recounts the long history of the Order during its journey from Palestine to Malta.

M.E. & S.Kt. Paul R. Clement, OStJ, G.C.M.

R.E.Kt. Jonathan C. Whitaker, JP, K.C.M.

One must be a Royal Arch Companion and profess a belief in the Trinitarian Christian Faith. The Marks to be prefixed to the signature of each Member of the Order according to his Rank

Since its move to East Jerusalem 50 years ago, The St John Ophthalmic Hospital has evolved into a series of centres of ophthalmic excellence right across the occupied Palestinian territory. Though a mere fifty years is nothing when compared to the 128 years that the Hospital has been in the Holy Land – and pales into insignificance alongside the original Order of St John Hospital, established in Jerusalem in 1099 – the last half a century has seen some momentous changes in the nature of what has become the modern Hospital Group. Here we take a look back at some of the greatest achievements accomplished during these 50 years, which serve to highlight just how much of an impact our charity continues to make in a very troubled region of the world.

Experience the last Great Priory of Malta Meeting

Great Priory of Malta 2024

On Tuesday, 19 November 2024, Brother Knights from across the Constitution and the global Great Priory of Malta community gathered at Freemasons’ Hall, London, for the Annual Chapter of the Great Priory of Malta. The meeting, presided over by the Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master, Paul Raymond Clement, G.C.M., began with the appointment of R.E.Kt. Reverend Father Malcolm Clifford George Lane as Knight Grand Cross of the United Orders and R.E.Kt. David Jordan, Provincial Prior for Kent, as Knight Commander of the United Orders.

The re-appointments of R.E.Kt. Jonathan Charles Whitaker as Great Prior of Malta and V.E.Kt. Alan Thomas Howls as Great Sub-Prior of Malta were then announced. Following this, the Great Prior of Malta led the Installation of Knights William Arthur Divall, Oliver James Coddington, and Thomas James William Milner, a unique event as it is the only annual investiture where a full Masonic Degree Ceremony is conducted for true Candidates.

While the Candidates stepped away to receive the Degree of Knight of St Paul, the Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master conferred appointments or promotions in Great Rank on 129 Brethren, with many present receiving their formal investitures. Upon the Candidates’ return, the ceremony continued, with the degree conferred by the Officers of the Great Priory under the leadership of the Great Prior of Malta.