The Healing, Teaching and Chivalric Order of St. Raphael is an International
Order of Christian Chivalry which exists to perpetuate the ideals and traditions
of chivalry in the modern world. The Order contributes to healing those sick
in mind and body by the power of prayer and by providing a spiritual base from
which to study the Great Mystery of Life.
The Order is named in honour of Saint Raphael who was said to hear the prayers
of holy men and bring them before God. He is also reputed to have 'healed'
the earth when it was defiled by the sins of the fallen angels.
The Order is open to men and women on an entirely equal basis and, although
Christian, is entirely independent of any particular denomination. Our ceremonies
of admission and the, creation of Knights and Dames are both beautiful and
meaningful. junior members are also welcome and have their own ceremony of
admission.
Entry to the Order is by invitation and we admit Candidates not on the basis
of their wealth or social standing but rather their concern for, and contribution
to, the world around them. That is why membership of the Order is not expensive,
although members are expected to pay for the insignia of their rank prior to
its presentation on admission.
The Order of St. Raphael also administers, as an Order of Merit, The Most Meritorious,
Spiritual and Military Order of St. Mark, the grades of which are awarded to
members of St. Raphael in recognition of efforts made by its members. Although
a printed ceremony exists for the Order of St. Mark, it is no longer performed
as a matter of course. The awards within the Order of St. Mark are conferred
during the St. Raphael ceremony.