Order of St John of the Order of the Knights of Malta.

The folowing comments were sent to me by Rev'd Michael Foster I am glad that he corrected me on that. The article was copied from a Russian publication and I didn't have my own knowledge on that fact. Alas, I know something else about the Order of the Knights of Malta. The city of Gatchina (45 km south from St.Petersburg) where I spent all my childhoodhad been the seat of the Grand Priorat - tsar Paul the First. Since he was a Magister of the Order, he converted one of his palaces into the meeting place of the Priors.

This is the beginning of XX century photo.(click to enlarge)

This palace, that was known before as the Palace of Duke Orlov is still situated in one of Gatchina's parks on the Black lake. It is still called Priorat palace. The main palace of the tsar is situated on the White lake, about one kilometer from it. There was a tunnel made to connect two palaces. It starts somewhere beneath the palace, bu there is a second entrance from the moat (I marked with a red cross). In the late seventies, when I was still a kid, I entered the tunnel and tried to get to Priorat palace. The walls are paved with red briks with an arch above. The entrance is abot a man high, but gradually it becomes lower and lower and you need to crawl on the knees. There was a little bit of water on the floor. Unfortunately, I made it only halfway, as due to the road construction the tunnel was destroyed. I have heard that originally, it was so high that the man with a raised torch could easily walk.

This is photo is from early 30s.

You claim this eneded in Russian in 1817. This is not quite true, in 1810 the property and income of the Order was removed, and although the Russian Grand Priory continued, it was forbidden to pay any monies to the Roman Catholic HQ. In 1817 a Ministerial decision was given not to allow a Russian Army Officer to wear a Decoration purchased from the RC HQ. permissions WERE granted to Orthodox Christians who were members of the domestic Grand Priory - now independent. These permission can be found even up to 1912 see; http://www2.prestel.co.uk/church/oosj/petition.htm

UKASE of of 1810;
Ukase 24.134 February 26th, 1810 makes it clear the Order of St John was to continue; "We will do our best to let the Order continue its activities and, having recognized the necessity, we would like to settle the questions connected with its funds in accordance with the following rules:
1. The members of the Order who used to be paid according to the list, should be paid from the profits of the State Treasury. No new appointments are to be added.
2. No other obligations (Responcia) are to be paid (monies to the RC HQ) and the funds should be placed at the disposal of the State Treasury.
3. The officials who are now receiving a salary from the Order, should be paid from the State Treasury and should be found a place to serve at the first opportunity.
4. The Commanders of Family should remain for the time being until a decision is taken about their future.
5. All the expenses connected with the maintenance and running of the Order should be paid from the State Treasury..."

Ukase 26.626. of 1817
In 1817 a Deliberation of Ministers refused a member of the Army permission to wear Insignia, awarded by the Roman Catholic Order (to deter the flow of "passage fees" to outside of Russia). An examination of Russian Portraits post 1817 provides ample evidence of Russian Nobility wearing the Decoration of the Domestic Priory!

I remain yours sincerely,
Fr Michael Foster.