London, January 2016. A banquet hosted by the Constantinian Order in Great Britain and Ireland will be held in honour of His Excellency János Áder, President of the Republic, Hungary. It will take place at the historic Drapers’ Hall, Throgmorton Avenue, London EC2N 2DQ on Tuesday 24 May 2016 at 6.30-10.30pm. His Eminence Vincent Cardinal Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and His Eminence Cormac Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop Emeritus of Westminster and Prior of the British & Irish Delegation, will be among those present during the evening.
The banquet will celebrate a major ecumenical event taking place in Britain which will include the return of the relic of Saint and Martyr Thomas à Becket from Esztergom, Hungary to London & Canterbury. The Relic of St Thomas à Becket is kept with great reverence at Esztergom, seat of the Metropolitan Archdiocese and Primatial See of Hungary. Hungary’s stewardship of these holy relics highlight its Christian roots, its spiritual connection to England, and the wider historic ties between the United Kingdom and Hungary. His Eminence Péter Cardinal Erdő, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and Primate of Hungary will also be present at the Banquet.
A week-long programme of events will take place between 23-29 May 2016 including a mass and services at Westminster Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and concluding with a historic pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral via Rochester Cathedral. This joint initiative between the Embassy of Hungary in London together with the Roman Catholic Church of England and Wales and the Church of England, will allow believers to venerate the relic of St Thomas à Becket for the first time in more than 800 years.
The banquet with fine wines will be attended by senior representatives from both states including those from the church, parliament, diplomatic and business communities.
Dress code will be black tie with decorations. Tickets will be available at £150 per person. Invitations will be issued on a first come first served basis. Please book early to avoid disappointment as spaces are limited to 275. Click here to download the booking form which should be returned to the Chancery via post, fax or email.
The Constantinian Order has a long association with Hungary and was formally recognised by the Hungarian Government by decree of the President of the Republic in 2011. The Order warmly welcomes the opportunity to honour this prominent historical figure whose ecumenical and universal values not only remain relevant today, but provide inspiration for countless believers across the world.