PRIORY OF SAINT MICHAEL INTERNATIONAL, SUBSIDIARY OF THE ORDER OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE

INVESTITURE OF HIS BEATITUDE HARALAMBOS

Archbishop Haralambos is invested into the Order of the Holy Sepulcher

On the evening of October 24, 2001, Metropolitan Archbishop Haralambos and Lois Bouchlas were invested into the Order of the Holy Sepulcher at the Kolbe Church, Bugibba.

Conducting the service of the investiture were Sir Geoffrey Scarrott, Knight Grand Cross, the Grand Prior of Australia; Count Sandro Calleja of JERUSALEM; Archbishop David Francis of Australia; and many dignitaries of the Order.

The Order of the Holy Sepulcher dates back to St. Constantine who initially organized the knights to guard the holy sepulcher of Christ.

A reception followed the investiture of the Knighthood of Sir Robert (Metropolitan Archbishop Haralambos) and Dame Lois at a local hotel.

Metropolitan Archbishop Haralambos has also been honored as a Prelate of the Sovereign Order of Knights of Jerusalem.

While visiting Malta, the Metropolitan was honored by the Russian Ambassador of Malta at the Russian Embassy.

The Metropolitan visited the cave where St. Paul was incarcerated on his final journey to Rome and visited the Bay of St. Paul where St. Paul's shipwreck occurred. The Metropolitan also visited the Cathedral of St. John where many knights fought against the Muslim siege. The remains of those fighting knights are in the beautiful Cathedral.

The Metropolitan was invited to tour the grand Presidential Palace of Malta even though the president was absent. He was also interviewed by the Mayor of the Capital of Malta in Valetta and met with the President of Malta.

In addition, an ecumenical meeting was conducted by the Metropolitan and the Archbishop of Malta, who oversees more than 300 Catholic Cathedrals in Malta.