Eastern Lieutenancy

The Eastern Lieutenancy is the oldest Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in the United States. It was established in 1940 and today is comprised of four eastern states – New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and the Bahamas.

Since its existence, the Eastern Lieutenancy has sought to uphold the special mandate given by the Holy Father to the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem – to strengthen the Christian life of its members and to support the Christian presence in the Holy Land.

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem provides 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 the members of the Eastern Lieutenancy join with those of other lieutenancies from around the world to support the 65 parishes of the Holy Land, 44 Latin Patriarch schools, Bethlehem University, Beit Jala Seminary, and the many healthcare centers, social services initiatives and food assistance relief programs. It is our mission to sustain and aid the charitable, cultural and social works and institutions of the church in the Holy Land and to support the preservation and propagation of the faith by defending the rights of the church in the Holy Land.

In the early 1990’s, in keeping with its mandate, the Eastern Lieutenancy became directly involved in the restoration of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. Former Lieutenant George Doty, KGCHS, championed the cause to complete the renovations of one of the Basilica’s domes that had been delayed for technical, financial, and legal reasons. He obtained consensus from the other Patriarchs – Greek and Armenian – of the Holy Land, which resulted in its eventual restoration. The new dome was unveiled to an ecumenical gathering of Christian leaders who joined in celebration of the much needed repairs. Many believed that the significance of the effort was not the artwork that resulted, but “the fact that three churches got together and agreed after so many years.”

Today the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem Eastern Lieutenancy is made up of 2,401 members, of which 1,097 are Knights, 918 are Dames and 386 are Ecclesiastics. The order’s members continue to aid the church in the Holy Land and strengthen the practice of Christian life amongst its members.