The Military & Hospital Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem: The Office of the Grand Hospitaller: A historical review

The Order of St Lazarus saw its origins as an establishment located outside the walls of Jerusalem serving the needs of victims of leprosy. While its role in society changed as a result of political machinations, it still retained a hospitaller role in the subsequent centuries. This role became more central after the re-organization necessitated by the 18th century French Revolution. In the words of Albert Einstein, it is essential that "If you want to know the future, look at the past." This book reviews the hospitaller activities of the Order throughout the twentieth century with particular emphasis in the last decade. The Order's past strongly reflects the importance of the hospitaller element in the Order's outlook. The hospitaller role has become the main relevant raison d'être of the modern Order and the past achievements should stimulate future efforts to help relieve the suffering of the sick and needy wherever they may be.