Welcome

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem – Eastern Lieutenancy is an order of chivalry under papal protection entrusted with an important mission from the Holy Father: to serve as witnesses to the Christian faith and protectors of the church and the living Christian communities in the biblical lands of the Middle East. The Eastern Lieutenancy is the oldest Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in the United States. It is comprised of four eastern states – New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and the Bahamas.

The order’s mandate originates from the time of the crusader knights who were responsible for protecting the Christian pilgrims traveling to the sacred sites. Today the order’s members continue to aid the church in the Holy Land and to strengthen the practice of Christian life amongst its members.

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is the only lay institution of the Holy See charged with the task of providing for the needs of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and of all the activities and initiatives to support the Christian presence in the Holy Land. The contributions made by its members are therefore the patriarchate’s main source of funding.

Most Reverend Ronald A. Hicks, Archbishop of New York

named Grand Prior for the Eastern Lieutenancy

Timothy Cardinal Dolan named Grand Prior of Honor

and Awarded Golden Palms

Cardinal Fernando Filoni, grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, has appointed Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks of New York as grand prior of the order’s Eastern Lieutenancy, effective 17 October 2026.

Invested in the order in 2021 when bishop of Joliet, Illinois, he served as coadjutor prior of the North Central Lieutenancy until his appointment as archbishop of New York in February 2026.

“I am humbled to have been appointed grand prior of the Eastern Lieutenancy as I am a great admirer of the work done by the members of this worldwide association for the church and the people it serves throughout the Holy Land.”

Archbishop Hicks will begin his service as grand prior on 17 October 2026 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral during the annual Investiture Mass of the lieutenancy, which this year marks the centennial of the order’s presence in the United States and the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Eastern Lieutenancy.

“I look forward to working with Archbishop Hicks in ensuring the ongoing vibrancy of the Eastern Lieutenancy as a force for good in the Holy Land and to the local churches constituting our Lieutenancy in the Bahamas and the states of Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania,” said Lieutenant Michael La Civita.

In addition, the cardinal grand master has named Cardinal Dolan as grand prior of honor of lieutenancy, awarding him the Golden Palm of Jerusalem in recognition of his dedication to the order and the church and its role throughout the Middle East, including Israel, Jordan and the occupied territories of Gaza and the West Bank.

“It has been a joy and privilege to collaborate with the good members of the Eastern Lieutenancy during my time as grand prior,” the cardinal said. “We have done much together, and I will be sure to keep the members of the order, the people of the Holy Land and our new grand prior, Archbishop Hicks, in my prayers.”

“During his tenure as grand prior,” said La Civita, “the Eastern Lieutenancy faced many challenges, including the COVID pandemic.”

“The cardinal’s leadership and concern for the peoples of the Holy Land have been instrumental in helping to fulfill our mission, inspiring our members, and the people we are called to serve.”

Archbishop Hicks will preach at the Investiture Mass, celebrated at 2 p.m. on Saturday, 17 October 2026.

Message from His Beatitude

Pierbattista Cardinal Pizzaballa

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem

Dear Knights and Dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre in America,

May the Lord give you peace!

On the occasion of the centenary of Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre in America, I extend to you my heartfelt congratulations and profound gratitude in the name of the Church of Jerusalem.

The establishment of the American Chapter in 1926, at the initiative of His Beatitude Luigi Barlassina, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and through the dedicated efforts of Msgr. Michael Abraham D’Assemani, marked the beginning of a century of unwavering fidelity to the mission of the Order and steadfast commitment to the Holy Land. Throughout these one hundred years, your prayer, witness, and generous support have been a source of great encouragement to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, sustaining its pastoral, educational, charitable, and social works and enabling the Church to continue her mission of proclaiming the Gospel and serving all the peoples of the Holy Land.

Your commitment has been a visible expression of communion with the Mother Church of Jerusalem. Across changing times and circumstances, you have remained steadfast in your solidarity with the Christian communities of the Holy Land, enabling them not only to endure difficulties but also to continue their witness to the Gospel in the places sanctified by the saving mysteries of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As you commemorate this significant milestone, we give thanks to Almighty God for the abundant fruits of your century of service. We remember with gratitude the generations of Knights and Dames whose dedication, sacrifice, and faith have strengthened the bonds between the Church in America and the Church of Jerusalem.

May this anniversary be an occasion to renew your commitment to the ideals of the Order and to its noble mission in support of the Holy Land. I invoke upon you, your families, and all the members of the Order the Lord’s richest blessings, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Palestine.

Ad multos annos, and thank you for walking faithfully with the Church of Jerusalem for these one hundred years.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+Pierbattista Card. Pizzaballa

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem