Knight Grand Cross of the Holy Sepulchre
| Ordo Equestris Sancti Sepulcri Hierosolymitani | |
 |
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| Abbreviation | OESSH |
|---|---|
| Motto | "Deus Lo Vult" |
| Formation | c. 1099 |
| Founder | Godfrey of Bouillon |
| Founded at | Church of the Holy Sepulchre |
| Type | Order of chivalry |
| Purpose | Support the Christian presence in the Holy Land |
| Headquarters | Palazzo Della Rovere |
| Location | |
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Membership
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30,000 (est.) |
| Edwin O'Brien | |
| Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem (sede vacante) | |
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Pro-Grand Prior
|
Pierbattista Pizzaballa |
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Parent organization
|
Holy See |
| Affiliations |
Kingdom of Jerusalem Custody of the Holy Land Patriarchate of Jerusalem |
| Website | www |
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Formerly called
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Milites Sancti Sepulcri Canons Regular of the Holy Sepulchre Sacred and Military Order of the Holy Sepulchre |
The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (Latin: Ordo Equestris Sancti Sepulcri Hierosolymitani, OESSH), also called Order of the Holy Sepulchre or Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, is a Roman Catholic order of knighthood under the protection of the Holy See. The pope is sovereign of the order. Founded as Milites Sancti Sepulcri attached to the Augustinian Canons Regular of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, recognised in 1113 by Papal bull of Pope Paschal II and of Pope Calistus II in 1122. It traces its roots to circa 1099 under the Frankish Duke Godfrey of Bouillon, Advocatus Sancti Sepulchri, "Defender of the Holy Sepulchre", one of the leaders of the First Crusade and first ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
Besides the Canons Regular (the Fratres), early members included secular canons (Confratres or Sergentes), Milites Sancti Sepulcri, armed knights of valour and dedication chosen from the crusader troops. Together they vowed to obey the Augustinian Rule of poverty and obedience, and undertook specifically to defend the Holy Sepulchre and the holy places under the command of the King of Jerusalem. Still today, the order bestows Canons as well as Knights, with the primary mission to "support the Christian presence in the Holy Land".
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Wikipedia