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Patrons of the Order
The Spiritual Patrons of the Order are Saint Geevarghese Mar
Gregorios (Geevarghese Pallathitta Chathuruthil) and Saint Thomas,
Apostle of Jesus Christ and the bringer of Christianity to India.
The Ecclesiastical Patron, Fons Honorum and Founder of the Order
is His Holiness, Mathias Mar Yusef, Patriarch of the Apostolic
Orthodox Church of India (Nasrani Mappila).
Founding of the Order
Letters Patent establishing the POMG in perpetuity was signed
and on the 12th day of August, 2004 by His Holiness, Mathias
Mar Yusef.
Status
The POMG is distinctly Christian in nature. It is ecumenical
and shall not impose a specific denominational theology or dogma
upon its members. The Order is completely autonomous from any
and all ecclesiastical, as well as civil, authority.
The Order does not discriminate against
any individual on the basis of gender, race, color, nationality
or denomination. Membership in the Order, however, is reserved
to those who profess the Christian Faith, be they Catholic,
Orthodox or Protestant.
Purposes
The Order exists to further the spiritual life and growth of
each member, to pursue philanthropic and charitable works, and
to promote a Code of Chivalry. While the Order may from time
to time rally its membership around a common charitable effort,
it places its primary focus at the local level. Knights and
Dames within a region may either band together, work individually
or both to aid their communities. This aid may be in the form
of monetary donations, providing needed materials (such as lumber
for a building), the volunteering of time and talent or a combination
of any or all of these.
Officers
Ecclesiastical Patron
The Ecclesiastical Patron of the Order shall be the incumbent
Patriarch of a Church possessing valid apostolic succession.
The Patriarch may decline the Office and may appoint the Patriarch
of another Church holding valid Apostolic Succession, such appointment
meeting with the approval of the Supreme Council.
Sovereign Grand Master
The Sovereign Grand Master of the Patriarchal Order of Mar Gregorios
shall be appointed by the Ecclesiastical Patron. The Sovereign
Grand Master shall have the right to nominate his successor.
Grand Priors
Grand Priors hold national jurisdiction. They are appointed
appointed by the Sovereign Grand Master.
Other Officers
Priors and Other Gand and Local Officers, are elected and appointed per the Rule of the Order.
Priory
A Priory consists of at least three members of the Order, one
of whom must be a Knight or a Dame.
Ranks Within the Order
Novice
The Novice is the first step towards Knighthood and begins immediately
after acceptance into the Order. The Order realizes that spiritual
discipline is of primary importance to the Christian Knight.
Therefore, the new member will be given instruction in such
spiritual practices as meditation and contemplation. Once the
mind is quiet and controlled, it may begin to grasp and absorb
those things of a higher nature. The Novice then begins a systematic
study of the spiritual aspects of Chivalry as set forth in Ephesians
6:11-17 (the “Whole armor of Christ”). These studies center
around the practical application of spiritual principles into
daily (material) life. Finally, the Novice will learn to enter
the “Fortress of Solitude.” For it is in the Fortress, a spiritual
place of regeneration and renewal, where the Knight or Dame
receives strength and inspiration. Throughout this course of
study, Novices will be asked to express in writing, through
answering a series of questions, their views on the material
presented.
Postulant
After successfully completing the Novitiate, the member passes
to the second prepatory step of the Postulancy. As the Novitiate
was concerned with the spiritual aspect of Chivalry, the Postulancy
addresses the material or mundane aspect. Included in the course
of study is a history of Chivalry as pertains to Christianity,
in Myth and in reality, and most importantly, how the Code of
Chivalry can be applied to the Postulant’s personal life. Again,
the Postulant will be asked to submit written answer to questions
posed. The Postulant will then begin the final phase of his
or her journey towards Knighthood—the Quest. Simply put, the
Quest is a plan for action, formulated by the Postulant with
aid from his or her Prior, of a charitable or philanthropic
nature. This may be outright donation of funds to a worthy cause,
volunteering of time and talent, or combination of both. The
Postulant will set forth a timeline and expected results; the
Quest shall be approved by the Postulant’s Prior, and a detailed
report shall be submitted by the Postulant when the Quest is
completed.
Knight/Dame
A Postulant is elevated to the rank of Knight or Dame upon completion
of the Quest. The Investiture must be in person; there are absolutely
no exceptions. As is traditional, the Postulant shall travel
to the nearest Chapter; all expenses for travel and lodging
shall be borne by the Postulant. The Order recognizes that duties
of home and work and/or finances may prevent the new Knight
or Dame from immediately attending his or her Investiture, however,
every effort must be made to arrange one’s Investiture as soon
as possible. We view Knighthood not as merely postnominals after
one’s name or carrying a membership card in one’s wallet or
purse, but as a spiritual estate, not unlike the dignity of
the Clergy. As the Clergy must be empowered through ordination
to perform their duties, so too through the Investiture is the
Knight or Dame empowered.
Advancement Within the Order
Through the consistency of their Good Works, Knights and Dames
may be advanced in Rank. The Knight or Dame does not petition
for advancement, but rather is nominated by the members of his
or her Chapter; the nomination is then ratified by the Prior,
who petitions his Grand Prior to Advance the Knight or Dame
in Rank. The Ranks of the Order are:
Knight/Dame Officer
Knight/Dame Commander
Knight/Dame Grand Officer
Knight/Dame of Saint Thomas
For exemplary service to mankind or to the Order, a member may
be granted the Rank or Knight/Dame of Saint Thomas. This is
the Order’s highest accolade and is only granted by the Sovereign
Grand Master and/or Ecclesiastical Patron. This Rank may be
awarded at any time during membership in the Order; it is not
a step in advancement, but rather a singular honor.
Nobility Recognized Within the Order
As is common in all Orders of Chivalry, the Patriarchal Order
of Mar Gregorios recognizes the Honorable Estate of Nobility.
The possession of a Title, however, is not always an indicator
of the worthiness or the bearer; therefore, Nobles do not, ipso
facto, possess positions of leadership within the Order, nor
are they accorded deference over other members.
The Order, through the Patriarchal Household may ennoble members
as a Mark of Honor; the Order or individual members may petition
the Household to grant Noble Titles to those in their community
who have performed outstandingly worthy service that betters
the lot of individuals or humanity in general.
The Noble Titles recognized by the order are as follows:
Page/Damosel (children ages 5-12)
Squire/Damsel (young men and women ages 13-18)
Knight/Dame
Vidame/Vidamesse
Baron/Baroness
Viscount/Vicountess
Count/Countess
Marquis/Marchesse
Duke/Duchess
Prince/Princess
Entry into the Order
Entry into the Patriarchal Order of Mar Gregorios may be by
petition or by recommendation of a member in good standing.
Any individual of good moral character and standing who considers
him- or herself a Christian is eligible to petition or be recommended
for consideration of membership. All prospective members must
present:
A completed Petition for Consideration
Curriculum Vitae
Passage Fees as set by the Order
Download
Membership Application Form
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