A selection of books and journals published by the Sancti Lazari Ordinis Academia Internationalis (International Academy of the Order of Saint Lazarus) were recently donated to the University of Malta. This collection covers various historic aspects of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem.
The Academy is based in Malta and is a registered NGO [VO/1969]. Since it was officially set up in 2017, the Academy organised five international conferences. Its website which
includes unique historical information is available online.
The objectives of the International Academy of the Order of St Lazarus include the promotion of historical knowledge related to the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, which origins go beyond the 11th century. Historical research of the Academy relates to the Order of St Lazarus, its hierarchy, traditions, laws and ancient history, as well as its relations with other chivalric Orders and Christian Churches.
The collection of books and journals, which will be housed at the Faculty of Arts Library, was presented by the Academy Director Prof. Charles Savona-Ventura to University Rector Prof. Alfred J. Vella. Also present were Academy board members Dr Ray Gatt (treasurer) Prof. Horatio C. Vella (grand archivist) and Carmel Bonello (secretary and public relations), as well as the Dean of the Faculty of Arts Prof. Dominic Fenech, and the Director of Library Services Kevin J. Ellul.
The Academy has so far published six annual journals in English called Acta Historiae Sancti Lazari Ordinis. These consist of proceedings of the international conferences it has held in
Malta (2015), Palermo (2017), Malta (2019), Gotha in Germany (2023) and most recently again in Malta (2024). Volume 7 will soon be published.
More information may be obtained via email, or the Academy website.
