The Order of Malta: a modern reality by tradition.
The Sovereign Military Order of St. John of Jerusalem, known as the Order of Rhodes and Malta, is one of the oldest institutions of Western and Christian civilization. A lay religious order of the Catholic Church since 1113 and a subject of international law, the Sovereign Order of Malta has diplomatic relations with more than 100 States and with the European Union and has the status of permanent observer at the United Nations. It is neutral, impartial and apolitical.
Below we offer you some brief in-depth notes on the Order, on the Grand Priory of Lombardy and Venice and on the Priory Archive that preserves documents dating back to the thirteenth century.
