Works
United Nations:
The Knights of the Orthodox Order of Saint John Russian Grand Priory is a Member of the UN as DPI/NGO via a charter
received from King Baudouin of Belgium. The Order has delegates who
participate in UN meetings.
Humanitarian Efforts:
The Knights of the Orthodox Order of Saint John Russian Grand Priory, supports humanitarian efforts locally, nationally, and internationally (abridged list). In addition, our individual members contribute to humanitarian efforts worldwide both through the Order and in their own way, thus living the life of a true member of our Order by thought, act, and deed.
When tragedy strikes, the Order and our members look for ways to help, aid, and assist those in places of adversity. Recent examples include humanitarian efforts and fundraising for disasters in South America, such as Hati. The Order has also assisted in the preservation of historic landmarks, such as hosting a benefit concert that raised $11,000 to assist the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection, in New York City.
There are numerous examples of our members who have actively worked openly to fulfill their humanitarian obligations to the Order.
Example Priory Activities:
The Priory of Hawaii responded to the Typhoon Haiyan, with supplies for approximately 100 families. “Typhoon Haiyan, known as Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines, was an exceptionally powerful tropical cyclone that devastated portions of Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, in November 8, 2013. It is the deadliest Philippine typhoon on record, killing at least 6,201 people in that country alone. Haiyan is also the strongest storm recorded at landfall, and unofficially the strongest typhoon ever recorded in terms of wind speed. As of January, 2014, bodies are still being found.” (Wikipedia)
Example Member Activities:
Chicago area Brothers of the Order have been creating and consulting self-sustaining social entrepreneurship ventures both locally and internationally.
International Outreach – Two Brothers traveled to Kathmandu, Nepal where one of the Brother’s wife provided training for GEMS Girls Clubs an International Christian Girls Club. She is also a volunteer for “Women at Risk” a non-profit organization based in Grand Rapids, Michigan that is dedicated to rescuing women, particularly in Asia, from human trafficking and the sex trade. Christianity in Nepal is rar in Nepal at this time as the primary religions are Hindu and Buddhist.
The Nepalese representative for Women at Risk, whose husband is also the Pastor of the Cross-Way Community Christian Church in Kathmandu, finances the church, christian outreach, and women’s rescue through the operation of three social entrepreneurship ventures: Higher Ground Bakery, Higher Ground Coffee Shop, and a jewelery making operation. These social ventures support the Cross-Way Church, several new planned churches, as well as to rescue, teach, and provide alternative occupations for women rescued from the sex trades. While training sessions were held for the GEMs Girls Club, the Brothers provided equipment and training to the coffee shop, bakery operations by teaching them about coffee roasting, chocolate making, soup making and rudimentary business accounting.
Local Christian Outreach – Crete, Illinois – A growing area of modern Christian outreach has been through the establishment of Christian coffee shops that provide seeker-friendly environments where outreach and service is provided through Christian fellowship, counseling and education.
Three Brothers of the Chicago area obtained and provided building space as well as assisted with the remodeling and equipment set-up to help establish a Christian coffee shop outreach in downtown Crete, Illinois (a suburb located 35 miles south of Chicago) called “The Edge” The Edge is operated as a non-profit organization and was launched by and is governed by representatives of local churches in Crete, Illinois. The Edge roasts its own custom blended coffees and hosts bible studies, counseling, education and actively promotes local arts and music. The Edge is currently offering the “Lifetree Series” which are fee Sunday night discussion groups which address topical issues form a Christian perspective. All profits from The Edge are donated to local charities. The Brothers also provided direct assistance to the local food pantry in the form of various foodstuffs during the holidays.