From the desk of the Tar Heel disciple:
May 15, 2026 (#100)
Knights of the Holy Sepulchre
The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is a Catholic organization under the direction and protection of the Holy See. There are about 30,000 members who are designated as knights and dames, present in more than 40 countries around the world. The “grand master” of the order is a cardinal of the Roman Church, and the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem is the “grand prior.” The main purpose of the order is to strengthen the faith and spiritual life of its members and to support the charitable, cultural, and educational institutions of the Holy Land, especially those under the jurisdiction of the Latin Patriarchate, which includes the territories of Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Cyprus.
In sum, the principal purpose of the order is to support and sustain, by means of prayer and financial contributions, the Christian presence in the Holy Land.
In 2025, the order reported receiving approximately $31.5 million in revenue, $7.5 million more than in the previous year. These funds have proven crucial for the support of the Church in these places during the on-going regional war, especially given a reported 70% unemployment rate among the Palestinian communities. Of the total amount donated, approximately $4.2 million was given by the members in North America for the support of the more than 40 schools of the Patriarchate. Given the current lack of tourists and pilgrims, a major source of revenue for Arab Christians has all but disappeared in these last couple of years. Without tuition money, teacher salaries cannot be paid. The monies collected in this significant charitable campaign have not only provided for tuition and salaries but also have supported needed but in some cases long-delayed repairs, and thus providing salaries for contractors, craftsmen, and other laborers, in turn enabling them to better provide for their families.
The origins of this order of knighthood lie in the First Crusade, that is, at the beginning of the 12th century. Members must be approved by their bishop and by the Holy See. Modern knights no longer carry the weapons of war but are still appointed to defend the rights and even the existence of Christians in the Holy Land. There is a distinctive garment for Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulchre, which is sometimes used at liturgical ceremonies, but their essential charitable work is mostly hidden to the world. Nevertheless, it continues to prove fruitful for our Christian Arab brothers and sisters, who still provide visible witness to our common faith by their continuous presence in the land of Jesus.
