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The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem is a working order of charitably minded men and women whose philanthropy is expressed principally through its two foundations, the St. John Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem and the St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade. The Order traces its origins to the Knights of the Crusades who served the hospital for sick pilgrims in Jerusalem in the twelfth century. The revival of the Order in Britain occurred in the reign of Queen Victoria and in 1883 the St. John Ambulance Association and the Brigade began work in Canada.
The Order of St. John in Canada is a registered charity whose mission is to enable Canadians to improve their health, safety and quality of life by providing training and community service. The Brigade consists of thousands of uniformed volunteers who provide first aid coverage at public events and deliver community health care services. The Association is a network of medical professionals, program development specialists and instructors who provide first aid and health care courses to approximately half a million Canadians annually. In addition, the Canadian St. John organization supports the hospital in Jerusalem by providing the services of a Canadian nurse and surgeon, optical equipment and funds for special projects.
The Sovereign Head of the Order is Her Majesty The Queen while the Governor General of Canada is the Prior of the Priory and Chief Officer of the Order in Canada. Persons who have performed or are prepared to perform good service for the Order are eligible for admission to one of the four grades of the Order: Knight or Dame, Commander Brother or Sister, Officer Brother or Sister, or Serving Brother or Sister. In general, nominations for admission or promotion are initiated at the branch level and progress to the provincial council and eventually the priory, where they are considered by the awards committee. The final list of names is sent to the Governor General who ultimately approves them on behalf of The Queen.
The badge of the Order consists of a Maltese cross, embellished alternately in each of its principal angles with a lion and a unicorn.
The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem is part of the Canadian Honours System established in 1967.
(March 1995)
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