Annual Meeting of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

Recently in Stockton, CA at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (EOHSJ), Northwestern Lieutenancy, three Holy Spirit parishioners were invested as Knights and Dames of the Order by Lieutenancy Grand Prior and Bishop of Sacramento, the Most Reverend Sir Jaime Soto. Bishop Myron Cotta of Stockton and the local Council hosted the EOHSJ Annual Convention. Left to right are the three new investees: Dame Cheryl Sarkisian, Sir Robert Castro, and Dame Christine McKinney; Bishop Cotta, Msgr. Patrick McCormick and Dame Patricia Santy. Bishop Cotta, Bishop Brennan (who was unable to attend), Msgr McCormick, and Dame Patricia were already members of the Order, which has as its mission support of Christians in the Holy Land and support for the Holy Sepulchre, where Christ was buried and rose from the dead after his Crucifixion.

The Order of the Holy Sepulchre traces its roots to the year 1099 under the Frankish knight Godfrey of Bouillon (1060–1100), an "advocate of the Holy Sepulchre" and leader of the First Crusade and first ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. 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. Pilgrimage to the Holy Land is encouraged.

To find out more information about the Order, contact Dr. Pat Santy 559-434-5332; or [email protected].