International Activities and Events
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Constantinian Order mourns the death of longstanding Constantinian Knight Fra’ Carlo Arditi di Castelvetere. Rome – July 2006.
The Constantinian Order regrets to announce the death of HE Fra’ Carlo Arditi di Castelvetere, a Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice of the Constantinian Order and a Deputy of the Royal Deputation within the Constantinian Order’s Grand Magistry. His Excellency was also a serving member of the Sovereign Council of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
A solemn funeral was celebrated at the Cappella Palatina of the Order of Malta in Rome on Tuesday July 11th by Rev. Mgr. Giuseppe Azelio Manzetti, Conventual Chaplain of the Order of Malta. Among those attending were HMEH The Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and senior knights and dames of both the Constantinian Order and the Order of Malta.
Born on August 7th 1922 in Naples, Fra’ Carlo Arditi graduated in law, and became Managing Director of a publishing company.
He was invested as a Knight of Justice of the Constantinian Order in 1993 and was promoted to the rank of Bailiff Grand Cross in 1996.
His Excellency was admitted to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in 1950 as a Knight of Honour and Devotion, and, after the death of his wife he applied, in 1990, to the category of Justice as a Novice and took temporary vows in 1993, becoming a fully professed knight in perpetual vows in 1995. He was promoted to Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice in 2004.
He was Magistral Commissioner of the Order of Malta’s Italian Association from 1992 - 1994. Bailiff Fra’ Carlo Arditi di Castelvetere was elected to the Sovereign Council by the Chapter General of June 1999 and re-elected by the Chapter General of June 2004 for a new mandate of five years.
Among his other decorations were those of Knight Commander with Star of the Pontifical Order of Saint Gregory the Great (Holy See), Grand Officer of the Order of Merit (Italian Republic) as well as the Grand Officer of the Order pro Merito Melitensi (Sovereign Military Order of Malta).
The Duke of Calabria Appointed Ambassador of Goodwill by the Governor of the State of Arkansas. Arkansas - March 2006.
HRH The Duke of Calabria has been appointed an Ambassador of Goodwill by the Governor of the State of Arkansas, USA. The Duke received the insignia by Constantinian knight Colonel Giovanni Finini, who was in the United States to participate in the International Military Shooting Competition.
Colonel Finini’s participation was supported by the Delegation of Lazio, headed by Mr Franco Ciufo.
Exchange of Honours between the Constantinian Order and the Royal Order of Danilo I of Montenegro. Rome - February 2006.
HRH Crown Prince Nicholas II of Montenegro paid a formal visit to the Grand Prefect of the Constantinian Order, HRH The Duke of Calabria, at the Grand Magistry in Rome in February 2006.
The Grand Prefect bestowed on the Head of the Royal House of Montenegro, who is Orthodox, the insignia of the Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I as well as the Gold Benemerenti Medal of the Constantinian Order.
During the same ceremony, the Constantinian Order’s Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Castro and the Order’s Grand Prefect, HRH The Duke of Calabria received the insignia of Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Danilo I of Montenegro with the Gold and Silver Star respectively.
As part of the formal exchange between the two Royal Houses, the Grand Chancellor of the Constantinian Order, HE Marquis Aldo Pezzana Capranica del Grillo, and the Grand Chancellor of the Royal Order of Danilo I, HE Mr John Gvozdenovic Kennedy also received the Knight Grand Cross of the respective Orders.
During their speeches the two Princes recognised the historical and geographical ties between the Royal House of the Two Sicilies and the Royal House of Montenegro.
The Montenegro dynasty ruled from 1711 and in recent weeks Montenegro regained its full independence following a referendum to separate from Serbia.
The first Montenegrin state Order was established by HRH Prince Danilo Petrovic in 1853, as the Order of Danilo I for the independence of Montenegro in 1852-53. This Decoration is still awarded to prominent champions of the preservation of Montenegrin independence and the conditions by which the Order is awarded were defined by Statute.
Alterations were made to the appearance of the original decoration created by Prince Danilo and during the rule of HM King Nikola I Petrovic the Order underwent two restructures. During the first restructure in 1861, three classes were introduced, while in the second restructure, from 1873, an additional class was added, so that not only is there a star in the 1st class but also a 2nd class with star was introduced.
Many deserving men and women have been awarded the Order of Prince Danilo I over time including foreigners. The illustrious list includes many decorated servicemen during 
the World Wars and a host of other notables, including Queen Victoria and King Edward VII of Great Britain. Recent recipients include HE The President of the Republic of Montenegro, HMEH Fra’ Andrew Bertie, Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta, HSH Sovereign Prince Albert II of Monaco, HRH The Duke of Braganza, HRH The Count of Paris and other senior members of reigning and non-reigning dynasties.
Among the guests present were: Prince Alessandrojacopo Boncompagni Ludovisi Altemps, Delegate for Lazio, Professor Leonardo Saviano, Attaché to The Duke of Calabria, Mr Nicola Parascandolo, Vice Secretary General of the Order and Constantinian Knight, Vincenzo Giovagnorio, Master of Ceremonies of the Order. Following the ceremony, HRH The Duke of Calabria hosted a lunch in honour of the Montenegrin delegation at a Rome based club.
His Eminence Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda, launches his book entitled The Christian Origins of Europe. Naples - January 2006.
The Grand Prior of the Order, His Eminence Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda, launched his book entitled The Christian origins of Europe inthe cloister of the Basilica of Santa Maria The New. Thebook, which was published by Il Cerchio, was presented by Professor Francesco Casavola, Emeritus President of 
the Constitutional Court of the Italian Republic.
Numerous Italian and foreign ambassadors, who were in Naples for the launch of the Neapolitan Antenna of the Institute of Diplomatic Studies, attended the event. Other guests included representatives of Franciscan Friars, guardians of the Holy Land, and a number of Constantinian knights and dames including the Duchess Gloria Frezza, the Marquis and Marquise Mottola D’Amato and Eugenio Donadoni.
During his speech The Grand Prior expressed his support for a policy of peace, in accordance with the undertaking of Pope Benedict XVI as expressed by7 His Holiness in his annual message to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See.
Inter-Religious Delegation of the Constantinian Order issue joint communiqué on Middle East crisis. London – July 2006.
The Grand Magistral Delegation for Inter-Religious Relations of the Constantinian Order, in conjunction with The Three Faiths Forum, has issued the following joint statement on the growing crisis in the Middle East.
“The Grand Magistral Delegation for Inter-Religious Relations of the Constantinian Order, in conjunction with The Three Faiths Forum, with years of commitment to open and respectful dialogue between the faiths which share the legacy of Abraham, the man of peace, urges the combatants in the Middle East to pull back from the edge of total conflagration while there is still a chance.
“There is no future to be found in bullet, bomb or rocket, only blood and devastation. There is no peace which can be built on the blasted homes and mangled remains of innocents. Decades of conflict have already more than made that point.
“How many more must die before this dreadful lesson strikes home?
“We welcome the call of the G8 nations for an end to the violence and their commendation of those Middle East nations which have sought to restore peace to an area which so desperately needs it”.
Delegation for Inter-Religious relations established within the Grand Magistry to be headed by Anthony Bailey. Rome – April 2006.
The Grand Master of the Constantinian Order, HRH The Duke of Castro, has today announced the creation of a worldwide Delegation for Inter-Religious relations. This delegation, which will be headed by outgoing British and Irish Delegate, HE Mr Anthony Bailey, will be based within the Grand Magistry in Rome and report directly to the Grand Master and the Royal Deputation.
established by thedynastic orders through itsparticipation in inter-religious dialogue initiatives at home and abroad. At its core will be activities aimed at fostering greater understanding with other Christian denominations as well as with other religions such as the Muslim and Jewish faith communities. |
