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Lexicon

Lexikon Glossary of Terms Pertaining to the Order of the Holy Spirit

 

Grand Cross Dame / Grand Cross Knight

for all orders the Grand Cross is the highest decoration. Normally, it is awarded only to the members of the governing nobility, state medals to heads-of-state. For us it is a sign of most excellent engagement and highest, exemplary loyalty to the Order.

The Grand Master

is more than the chairman of a citizens\' association. He is Head of the Order who, by virtue of his special, egregious position in the Order's Executive Council, is "Primus Inter Pares"-"First Among Equals" . At ceremonial and official occasions, he represents the Order. He always deserves honorary precedence.

A Chapter's Councillor

is a personality appointed by the Grand Master supporting the Order's Executive Council's decision-making process by means of his/her council or special competence and who fulfills special tasks. Title of office given an advisor appointed by the Grand Master.

Young Knight

Knaves are young candidates for membership who have been introduced to the order through special bonds with members and instructors. They have decided to get to know the Order more closely and are preparing for later admittance in a way befitting their age. They are officially admitted as knaves.

Kommandeurin / Kommandeur

the cross of the commander is a special decoration for Dames and Knights of the Order who have excelled through exceptional engagement and ardent loyalty to the Order. This is to acknowledge the work, effort and attitude within and outside our Order.

The Commander of an Office as its leader

is appointed by the Grand Master as Head of the Orders Executive Council. In his office the commander represents the Grand Master in official business to members of the Order as well as to third parties.

Commander's Office

District of office allocated to the commander, generally congruent with the area of a country or federal state. But it can also comprise a region crossing borders due to historical growth.

Lady/Knight of the Order

Lady/Knight of the Order are those persons who have been admitted into the Order by knighting. They possess all privileges of membership but also all duties of membership. The word Order has a clear double meaning in this context.

Through the Oath of the Order

the applicant pledges in a specially ceremonial form, immediately prior the knighting, during the ceremony of admittance, to always keep the principles of our Order, to stand up for humanity, to live accordingly and to always help his sisters and brethren of the Order.

The Chapter's Council  

comprises the members of the Orders Executive Council and the appointed councillors of the Chapter. Besides the General Convention ibis is the most important agent ofdecision-making of our Order.

The Order Mantle

is the outward symbol of equality and community of all members of the Order. It symbolises: as brothers and sisters we belong together and are all equal.

Order's Government

In a citizens' association this would correspond to the executive committee but the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE ORDER, Order's Government, is more than that. It advises the Grand Master on principal decision-making and supports" him in a special manner. Members of the Executive Council of the Order can be entrusted by the Grand Master with extensive, special tasks.

The Sword of the Order

originally, the sword of the Order symbolised the male principle and simultaneously was the sign of power as well as chivalrous might. Today it serves as a symbol of the Grand Master's official dignity.

The Standard of the Order

in its original form, the standard was a field sign, symbol and strategic meeting point. Today it is of a highest, heraldic symbolic power and remains the ideal meeting point of a community.

Postulant

having been invited to events of our Order, having proven his/her interest for membership, and having found members of the Order, the candidate is proposed for membership, s/he is officially acceptcd as a postulant. The period of probation as a postulant serves the purpose of getting to know one another and to deeply reflect on one's decision to join the Order. The knighting marks the end of the probationary period as a postulant.

Elation of a Postulant

To knighthood in the Order executed in a solemn, special, ritual form. The knighting is reserved a special quality of permanence and uniqueness. Sometimes it is regarded as almost a sacred act, sometimes as the outward performance of inner values. The investiture is the outward expression of the admittance to the Order's community.