THE IMPERIAL ORDER OF

 

I. Foundation and Sovereignty

The Imperial Order of Saint Thomas the Apostle (“the Order”) is a dynastic order of chivalry established under the authority of His Imperial Highness Prince Theodore II of Macedonia and Nicaea, by right of blood and succession as Head of the Imperial Houses of Macedonia and Laskaris. The Grand Mastership is vested permanently in the person of the reigning Head of the Houses, who shall exercise all powers, prerogatives, and duties thereof. The Order is founded in honour of Saint Thomas the Apostle, patron of the doubter, the seeker, and the humble believer, whose legacy inspires the Order’s mission in the modern world.

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II. Mission and Spiritual Character

The Order exists to recognise, honour, and support distinguished contributions in the fields of scholarship, philanthropy, Christian witness, and the defence of truth, particularly as these relate to the traditions of Byzantium and the Orthodox Christian faith. While rooted in the Eastern Orthodox ethos, the Order maintains an ecumenical and inclusive membership policy, welcoming persons of all Christian confessions and others of goodwill who demonstrate commitment to the Order’s mission.

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The Order champions epistemic humility in spiritual life and intellectual inquiry, following Saint Thomas as a model of faith-seeking-understanding, and a patron of those who wrestle honestly with doubt in the pursuit of truth.

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III. Structure and Membership

Membership in the Order is conferred in two classes:

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• Knights and Dames of Justice, reserved for persons of noble or royal lineage;

• Knights and Dames of Merit, for distinguished individuals regardless of social birth.

 

Within each class, there are three ranks:

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1. Knight/Dame – Entry level, open to all qualified candidates.

2. Knight/Dame Commander – Bestowed upon members of proven virtue, service, and leadership.

3. Knight/Dame Grand Cross – Reserved for heads of state, senior religious figures, and high-ranking nobility of extraordinary merit and longstanding commitment to the Order’s aims.

 

A passage fee shall be rendered upon admission, contributing to the charitable and operational work of the Order, in keeping with the historic traditions of Christian knighthood.

 

All members shall take a solemn pledge to uphold the Order’s values, support its charitable and scholarly initiatives, and act with honour and Christian virtue in all affairs.

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IV. Offices and Governance

The governance of the Order rests with the Grand Master and his appointed Council. Senior appointments include:

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• Priors: Administrative heads responsible for coordinating regional commanderies, overseeing admissions, and reporting directly to the Grand Master.

• Diplomats of the Order: Knights or Dames tasked with maintaining relations with other Orders, religious institutions, and sovereign entities, and promoting the Order’s mission internationally.

 

Additional offices may be created at the Grand Master’s discretion to meet the needs of the Order.

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V. Insignia, Ceremonies, and Privileges

Members shall be invested with insignia appropriate to their rank and class, featuring the cross of Saint Thomas encircled by a laurel wreath, surmounted by the imperial diadem.

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The Order holds an annual Feast of Saint Thomas on the Sunday after Easter (Thomas Sunday), during which new members may be received, promotions granted, and honours awarded.

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Members in good standing may enjoy precedence at Imperial events, invitations to scholarly and charitable functions, and the right to wear the Order’s regalia. The Order may also issue letters patent, commendations, and citations recognising acts of service or scholarship.

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VI. Petition for Admission to the Order

Individuals who wish to be considered for admission into the Imperial Order of Saint Thomas the Apostle may submit a formal petition to the Chancellery. Petitions are open to men and women of good character who demonstrate one or more of the following:

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• A proven commitment to charitable, scholarly, religious, or diplomatic work aligned with the mission of the Order;

• A sincere respect for the spiritual traditions of Eastern Christianity, even if they are not Orthodox themselves;

• Willingness to uphold the values of honour, humility, and service in public and private life.

 

All applicants are expected to join at the rank of Knight or Dame, unless expressly invited to a higher rank by the Grand Master.

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Petitions should include:

• A letter of intent, outlining the applicant’s background and reasons for seeking membership;

• A curriculum vitae or brief biography;

• Any letters of recommendation, preferably from existing members or respected figures in academic, religious, or philanthropic life;

• A declaration of willingness to contribute the requisite passage fee upon acceptance.

 

Petitions may be submitted by email to the Chancellery of the Order:

 

H.E. Nigel Burroughs, Conti di Stilo
Chancellor of the Imperial Order
imperialorderofsaintthomas@gmail.com

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All applications are reviewed with discretion by the Grand Master and the Chapter of the Order. Admission is not guaranteed and shall be granted only upon the mutual discernment of suitability, merit, and alignment with the Order’s sacred mission.

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