The worldwide charitable Order of Saint Lazarus confers knighthood in recognition of “international generosity, patronage and philanthropy.”
The Order of Saint Lazarus is an international, ecumenical charity based in Madrid with affiliates in 36 countries. It first established a leprosarium in 1191, originally in Jerusalem and then in Gaza. The order has grown in modern times beyond its centuries-old military background into a global humanitarian network providing a wide range of medical services as well as caring for the socially disadvantaged, the excluded and victims of war. It takes its name from Lazarus, the beggar whose story is told in the biblical gospel of St Luke (16:19-31). Sufferers of leprosy regarded him as their patron saint and usually dedicated their hospices to him. Lazarus also appeared in the medieval Islamic tradition, in which he was honoured as a pious companion of Jesus. The Order’s international projects now support a wide range of philanthropic activities in the pursuit of providing support, care and help to the poor, the sick and dying in the community. It’s latest annual report states: “While maintaining the Order’s historical provision of support to victims of leprosy, our jurisdictions responded to the ever-changing needs of the modern world and supported a variety of other needs. Significant philanthropic donations and volunteer time were expended in support of palliative efforts and medical care of children, individuals with special needs and needy members of society, such as handicapped, aged and terminally ill people. An incredible amount of support was also provided to the people of Ukraine to address their significant needs.”.

Emergency relief and care programs
The Order’s most recent projects include emergency relief for victims of the 2022 tsunami that struck Tonga and providing on-the-ground humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine. It continues to devote resources to care for those affected by leprosy (Hansen’s disease). This includes a three-year project to support Premananda Hospital in India which aims to treat and rehabilitate people affected by leprosy, including provision of vital reconstructive surgery to restore mobility and eyesight, protective footwear to prevent further injury, health education and teaching people how to live with the effects of leprosy The Order’s Spafford Children’s Centre, founded in 1925, provides psychological, social, and educational support in East Jerusalem for mothers and children who live under difficult socio-economic conditions. It also offers speech therapy to children who have lost the power of speech due to trauma and conflict in Jerusalem.

Sir Kevin Rochay
Knight of the Order of Saint Lazarus
The Order can invite individuals to become “knights” of the Order and confer that honour upon them. This is normally done on the basis of a recommendation that the individual is advancing the cause of humanitarian standards and the relief of suffering in their life’s work. Kevin Rochay was nominated for a knighthood in 2023, and was honoured in a ceremony in Rome on 8 October that year. In a formal letter, Knight Antonio de Franchechi, Grand Secretary of the Order of Saint Lazarus states: “Sir Kevin Rochay was called to join our Order as a Knight because [of being] an example of international generosity, patronage and philanthropy.”