On the occasion of the 700th anniversary of the founding of the Order of Saint George (Szent György Lovagrend), ceremonial events were held in Visegrád on April 25–26, 2026, with the participation of representatives of the Order’s community from across the Carpathian Basin and beyond.
The two-day program was conducted in a manner worthy of its historical significance, featuring a solemn Holy Mass, knightly investiture, a ceremonial assembly of the Order, commemorations, and scholarly lectures.
Solemn Holy Mass and Investiture
The celebrations began on Saturday, April 25, with a solemn Holy Mass at the Parish Church of Saint John the Baptist in Visegrád. The shared liturgy reaffirmed the spiritual and moral foundations of the Order, while providing a fitting framework for the jubilee events.
Following the Mass, the knights and dames proceeded in ceremonial procession to the Royal Palace, where the investiture ceremony took place—one of the most important and solemn events in the life of the Order. During the ceremony, new members joined the community of the Order, committing themselves to the practice of the chivalric values of faith, loyalty, courage and service.
Representing the Grand Priory of Southern Transylvania, 15 knights and 4 postulants took part in the event. Following the investiture ceremony, our Grand Priory welcomed new members into its ranks: knight Dr. Alpár Horváth and knight László Haba (from Gyergyószék) dame Emese Szígyártó Szőcs and knight Mózes Barabás (from Kézdiszék).
Assembly of the Order and Community Presence
The program continued with the ceremonial assembly of the Order, attended by nearly 250 members from Hungary and Hungarian communities beyond the borders. The broad participation clearly reflected the living strength of the Order’s community and its presence across the Carpathian Basin.
The agenda included the approval of the previous year’s activity reports and financial statements of the Order’s association, as well as the adoption of the budget. Under miscellaneous items, several topics related to the jubilee year were discussed, and participants were also introduced to the preliminary program of the XXXII Dr. István Bárdos Summer University.
During the assembly, distinctions were also awarded. It is a particular honor and source of pride for the Grand Priory of Southern Transylvania that two of our fellow knights,
- knight Tamás Sashalmi-Fekete
- knight Lehel András
were awarded the Knight’s Cross of Saint George adorned with the Holy Crown. This distinction is a worthy recognition of their dedicated service to the spirit of the Order and their work for the benefit of the community.
The assembly provided an opportunity for the community to reflect together on the significance of the jubilee year and to reaffirm the present-day mission of the Order.
Commemorations and Intellectual Programs
On Sunday, April 26, the program continued with commemorations and wreath-laying ceremonies at the memorial sites of King Károly (Charles) I. in Visegrád, placing the founding of the Order in its proper historical context.
Participants then attended a lecture by museum director Gergely Búzás, who presented the history of the Order of Saint George and the results of the archaeological research of the Saint George Chapel. The lecture provided important historical and scholarly context for the jubilee commemorations.
The Message of the Jubilee
The 700th anniversary was not merely a reflection on history, but also a reaffirmation: the Order of Saint George remains a living community, carrying its heritage into the present while looking toward the future.
The ceremonial events in Visegrád clearly demonstrated that the chivalric ideal—after centuries—remains relevant, valid, and a powerful force in shaping communities.
The 700-year heritage calls not only for remembrance, but for a living presence in everyday life.
