Beirut – March 2004. The Grand Magistry of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George sent a high-level delegation to the Republic of Lebanon, from Monday 22 March 2004 until Tuesday 23 March 2004. The visit took place at the joint invitation of the Lebanese Government as well as Muslim and Christian leaders in country.
The Delegation was headed by the Order’s Grand Prefect, His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria, and was accompanied by his wife, HRH The Duchess of Calabria, Mr Anthony Bailey, Delegate of the Order in Great Britain and Ireland with special responsibility for inter-church and inter-faith dialogue, and Mr Nicola Parascandolo, Vice Secretary General of the Grand Magistry.
The purpose of the visit was to launch new initiatives aimed at raising the profile of the Order’s international activities, as well as launching specific programmes which encouraged inter-religious dialogue and understanding between Europe and the Arab world.
Lebanon was also included within the wider trip to the Middle East, due to its successful policy of reversing the terrible tragedies, which this country suffered in recent years including the massive loss of life resulting from the civil war and the breakdown in dialogue among the religious communities.