About the Theory of Sovereignity following which the Kings are invested of their Power by God comes from the Epistle of Paul to Romans:
"Let every soul be subject unto the highers powers.For there is no power but of God:the pwers that be are ordained of God...For rulers are not a terror to good works but to the evil...For he is the minister of God to thee for good....Wherefore ye must needs be subject,not only for wrath but also for conscience sake"Rom:13:1-5
This tradition was set by Constantine (4th century) : The Royal office is sacred,certified by the anointment ritual (NB1) granting legitimacy to the Power. Without the Church a King does not hold the Divine Power.
Summary about the Divine Right in History
Some History: In France,since 500A.D., when Clovis was baptised in the city of Reims,following the tradition by Bishop St Remi, the Kings of France were anointed in this city.
In 1804, when Napoleon Bonaparte had the Parliament voted an hereditary Empire,he needed to be sacred by the Pope; France being a Catholic Country.The story between Pope Pie VII and Napoleon is not the purpose of this introduction; It is only to state Napoleon needed the spiritual and Divine Right given and exercised by the Pope in order to legitimate his Title.
In Germany, Frederic II (1194-1250), King of Sicily and German Emperor,was deposited during the Council of Lyon in 1245 by Innocent IV
*N.B.
1-"Anointed:The one who received unction(NB2) -
The gesture of moistening with oil the forehead of a new King invested him with a religious character:This meant the Head of the chosen people was put aside for God, becoming His representative on earth."
2-Unction:anointed and Messiah have the same meaning,following the Jewish tradition, the one who received from God an unction consacreting him as the Head and liberator of the chosen Nation.
Episcopal Statements:
1-We say a Monarch may grant nobility titles as long as he reigns; A monarch either deposited or in exile,or his legitimate descent may issue Letters Patent and elevate to Peerage an individual, as long as they were anointed "in partibus"by legitimates Prelates from the various Church of Christ's denomination.
2-We say the Heads of the various Christ's Churches may grant Nobility titles But the true legitimacy comes from God, therefore from the Church -That is the reason why we are vested with the power of acknowledging nobility titles,through our chivalric Order and its College of Nobles and Chivalry
On this 9th day of February of 2005,
On Behalf of the Order of Saint Paul -The Grand Chancellor
On Behalf of The Church of St Peter and St Paul -The Archbishop
On Behalf of The St. Thomas-a-Becket and Wesley Synod -The Archbishop for Mainland Europe
The Most Rev.Dr.Frédérick P.Burcklé,Count von Aarburg
__The Order of Saint Paul__
History of the Holy Order in Brief
Hospitality,defense of the feeble and the persecuted,teaching and care of the sicks are the human and earthly manifestation of the Divine part in us.
In actual fact the heavenly origin of the Chivalric Orders goes back to the Patriarch Abraham, Loth and Tobie; They exercised hospitality when hosting the angels.
During the Roman Empire the Orders took shape,but it is truly with the birth of the Christian religion that several hospitaller Institutions were born; Those who welcomed our Lord.Martha devoted herself to thrift and hospitality.
The very first Christian Order(St.Lazarus)was established while the first Council of Jerusalem by the Apostles, after Pentcost,before parting,in 34A.D.
Titus(+96A.D.)was already at Paul'side.
Paul and Barnabas helped St Peter to set up the Antioch See in 42A.D.One may say the Order of St Paul was already established as an Ordo.The Holy Apostle was entrusted with the financing of the Churches,and some men were in charge of transporting funds as well as protecting the Apostle.
Titus was the first Knight of St Paul since 34A.D.(Titus 1:4-14,3:12-14).
For nearly two millennium the Order was geographically bounded to Turkey and the Middle East-Its members formed some kind of brotherhood within the Oriental Church.
At the time of the international armed conflict in Lebanon (so called "civil war" ),1974-1991,forewarning so many dangers for Christendom,some High Ranking Dignitaries of the Oriental Church vested Count Frederick P.Burcklé with the Divine Comand to organize the Order as an International Institution.
2005 -"Divine Rights and Legitimacy" Most Rev. Dr. Count F.Burcklé
Episcopal Statement- N°15/2005/AR " Testis Unus,Testis Nullus"
From the doctrine of Jurisprudence in Law (One witness is no witness)
"We, of Saint Thomas-a-Becket and Wesley Synod,whose are located in the City of Canterbury, England, Presiding Primate H.G. Lord Anthony Cowles
Archbishop for Mainland Europe, H.G.Count F. P.Burcklé
Representing already various Christian Churches'denominations, namely the Wesley Synod, Methodist, Lutheran,Charismatic and Evangelical.
Claiming to oversee a congregation of over one million believers, scattered worldwide, over 3000 ministers, 35 Bishops and 6Archbishops, with over 300 churches in Africa alone, and many more now in India.
Think that several other denominations,including the many Oriental Churches, self governing and headed by Patriarchs,would be welcomed for the good of Christendom joining the Saint Thomas-a-Becket and Wesley Synod. (cf. Holy See Decree"Unitatis Redintegratio"about eucumenism, 1964 A.D.:". Since those churches although separated, have true sacraments, particularly under the Apostolic succession, ministry and the Eucharist, unify them through certain"communicatio in sacris")-
Entitled by Divine Right,we further decide to legitimate some claims in matter of Nobility and Chivalry. For this purpose, a special Juridiction is hereby established. Applicants should be in touch with the See or the Archbishopric.
This day 14th of February of the year of Our Lord 2005.
The Order of Saint Paul
