Venerable Order of Saint John

Venerable Order Of Saint John

The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (French: L'Ordre très vénérable de l'hôpital de Saint-Jean de Jérusalem), is a royal order of chivalry established in 1831 and found today throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, Hong Kong, Ireland, and the United States of America, with the world-wide mission "to prevent and relieve sickness and injury, and to act to enhance the health and well-being of people anywhere in the world." It is commonly referred to simply as the Order of St. John, or as the Venerable Order of Saint John (VOSJ) when distinction from other similarly named orders is desired.

The order's approximately 25,000 confrères, supported by 4,000 employees and 300,000 volunteers, are mostly of the Protestant faith, though those of other Christian denominations or other religions are accepted into the order, but usually honorary membership is awarded to deserving and distinguished adherents of other religions. Except via appointment to certain government or ecclesiastical offices in some realms, membership of the order is by invitation only, and individuals may not petition for admission. It is perhaps best known through its service organizations, St John Ambulance and St John Eye Hospital Group, the memberships and work of which are not constricted by denomination or religion. It is also a member of The Alliance of the Orders of St. John of Jerusalem.