Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem Humanitarian Grand Priory Europe & Commandery "Lazarus Macedonia" Invitation

Transcription

1 Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem Humanitarian Grand Priory Europe & Commandery "Lazarus Macedonia" Invitation To all Brothers and Sisters of the Order, near and far, Almost 2000 years ago, the apostle Paul called on the parish of the Corinthians to achieve unity with the following words: "I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Eph. 4:1 3) Today, it is our particular duty to live up to this calling. We wish to live and experience the confraternity of our Order. It is therefore a great honor and joy for the GP-Europe and the Commandery of Macedonia to invite the community of the International Order, all friends of the Order of St Lazarus and all those who promote hospitaller activities to the St. Lazarus Order Investiture MMM AAA CCC EEE DDD ON IA to Sep tem bbb er Our Grand Master, The Most Honorable Don Carlos Gereda de Borbón, Marquis d Almazán and our Spiritual Protector, His Beatitude Gregorios III Laham, have confirmed their attendance. This is a reason for great joy! The Commandery of Lazarus Macedonia and the Humanitarian Grand Priory Europe are delighted to announce this common invitation in accordance with the Grand Magistry. We wish you all a very warm welcome. Grand Prior of the Humanitarian Grand Priory Europe H.E. The Chev. Klaus-Peter Pokolm, GCLJ, GCMLJ Chancellor of GP-Europe H.E. The Chev.Rüdiger Oppers, KLJ Commander of Lazarus Macedonia The Chev. Prof. Dr. Lazar Lazarov, KCLJ Vice-Commander EHC-MK The Chev. Prof. Dr. Ilija Djonov, KLJ Chaplain General GP-Europe Secretary General EHC-MK H.E. Msgr. Dr. Lothar Schlegel EGCLJ The Chev.Gjoko Dinev, KLJ

2 Programme "Investiture Macedonia 2011" & Installation of the independant Priory Macedonia September, 8th (Thursday) Macedonian Independence Day 11:00 15:00 Arrival and registration of the participants 15:15 Coach transfer from hotel Aleksandar Palace to Macedonian Orthodox Church Virgin Mary 16:00 18:00 Ecumenical Service at Macedonian Orthodox Church Virgin Mary 18:30 24:00 Coach transfer to ancient Roman city of STOBI (with 30 min. guided tour) and Welcome Dinner in Winery Chateau Elenov in Demir Kapija (about 90 km south of Skopje) September, 9th (Friday) 10:00-13:00 Guided walking tour of Skopje* 12:00 13:00 Reception by President of the Republic of Macedonia Prof. Dr. George Ivanov, PhD, KCLJ (by invitation of the President only) 15:00 Coach transfer from hotel to Roman Catholic Church 15:15 16:00 Assembly of Participants, Start of Procession 16:00 18:00 Vigil Ceremony & Investiture at Roman Catholic Church Тhe Sacred Heart of Jesus 19:00 Coach transfer from Roman Catholic Church to the hotel 20:00 Reception with champagne at the Lobby of Hotel "Aleksandar Palace" The Grand Master and Grand Prior addresses 21:00 24:00 Gala Dinner in Aleksandar Palace Hotel September, 10th (Saturday) 09:00-24:00 One day trip to Ohrid Lake Coach transportation from Skopje via Monastery of St. Jovan (St.John) Bigorski to Ohrid - Sightseeing tour of the Monastery - Guided tour of the city of Ohrid and famous Orthodox Churches - Lunch on the lake at the Monastery of "St. Naum" - Late evening transportation to Skopje For guests who cannot not taking part at the reception at the President s Residence - because of limited persons -, the Grand Priory-Europe & Commandery Lazarus Macedonia is organizing a sightseeing tour in Skopje free of charge. Please note that this program is drafted for guidance, as an outline sequence of the planned events. Some modifications may occur, but only if it is absolutely necessary. (2) INVESTITURE Programme - MACEDONIA - Skopje - September 2011

3 Humanitarian Grand Priory Europe - Commandery Lazarus Macedonia Investiture Macedonia September 2011 Registration Form Please fill out this form and return it by 15 June 2011 at latest to the Grand Priory, EHC Europe - Commandery Lazarus Macedonia by st-lazarus@t-home.mk or fax: I hereby confirm my participation in the Investiture to be held in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. Position Rank Jurisdiction Title Name Surname Gender (tick the appropriate) Male Female Address City Country Telephone / Fax Special diet required, if any Disability / Help required Zip code Flight details: Arrival date Time Flight number Departure date Time Flight number I/We plan to have an additional days stay (dates ) I will be accompanied by: Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss Name Surname (Answer required only if companion is not a member of the Order of St. Lazarus) My companion will participate in (tick the appropriate): Vigil ceremony Investiture Gala dinner Common dinner Excursion A and/or B Transportation* I need transport (tick the appropriate): f rom the airport to the airport Excursion* I will participate in tour (tick the appropriate): A B Registration fee* I agree to pay 140 for the registration fee: (tick the appropriate): into the bank account indicated in information note in cash upon arrival *For further information, please refer to the accompanying Essential Information sheet. Date, Signature,

4 Investiture Macedonia 2011 & Installation of the independent Macedonian Priory 8-10 September 2011 REGISTRATION & TRAVEL INFORMATION Registration Those participating in the Investiture are kindly requested to complete their registration form see attachment (3) - including travel itinerary, and return it by 15 July 2011 at latest to the Grand Priory, EHC Europe - Commandery Lazarus Macedonia, by st-lazarus@t-home.mk or fax: Remark: Those jurisdictions wishing to invest their postulants or promote their members must send the names and proposed grades of these candidates, also by 15 July 2011 at latest. Friends and family members are welcome to accompany official participants, and their anticipated presence should be clearly stated on the registration form. Accommodation The Grand Priory Europe - though the Commandery Lazarus Macedonia has provided a block reservation at: Hotel: Aleksandar Palace (5*) Official price: 145 (single) 190 (double) r/n Special price: 116 (single) 150 (double) r/n Please indicate: "Lazarus Investiture" when booking Address: Blvd Oktomvriska revolucija bb, 1000 Skopje, Republic of Macedonia Tel.: +389 (02) Fax: +389 (02) Web site: The hotel is located on the right bank of the river Vardar, 3 km from the city center, not far from the city park. Just beyond the latter are located the most important administrative and government buildings. Alternatively, you can make reservations at a number of other hotels in Skopje. (5) INVESTITURE Registration and Travel information - Macedonia 2011 Page 1

5 Here are some recommended hotels: Please make hotel booking through our official Tourist Agency "Avioturs Travel Service" contacts: phone: , fax: , Ecumenical Ceremony venue 8-th September 16:00 18:00 PM the Ecumenical Ceremony at The Macedonian Orthodox Church Virgin Mary 1000 Skopje, Republic of Macedonia Tel. /Fax: +389 (02) Web site: Official Vigil Ceremony and Investiture The official Investiture will take place at 16:00-18:00 PM on Friday, 9 September For more information, please refer to the Preliminary Program Summary. Vigil & Investiture venue The Investiture will be held at the: Rome-Catholic Church Sacred Heart of Jesus Address: Str. Petar Poparsov Skopje, Republic of Macedonia Dress Code Ecumenical worship, Vigil ceremony & Investiture Church coat ; uniform of the Order, postulants without uniform (tailcoat or dinner jacket or cutaway); black tie, Dames mantilla; & all insignias. Gala dinner uniform of the Order or military, Gala uniform, tailcoat or dinner jacket or cutaway, bow tie, all insignias; Dames long evening. (5) INVESTITURE Registration and Travel information - Macedonia 2011 Page 2

6 Registration fee 140 per person It includes the payment for all transports for 3 days (airport-hotel-airport, visits to churches, visits to restaurants), as well as Vigil Ceremony and welcome dinner (8th) and the Investiture service (9th). The payment for the reception and gala dinner on 9th September should be extra 50 per person. Friends and family members accompanying participants (not paying registration fee) should pay 25 for airport transfer (one way), 5 for any transport in the town, and 35 per person for the welcome dinner, and 50 per person for the gala dinner. The registration fee of 140 must be paid either in advance by bank transfer to the LHO Macedonia ( Lazarus Macedonia ), or in cash upon arrival at the hotel. Payment for the dinners can also be made in advance by bank transfer or in cash upon arrival at the hotel. Please indicate your decision in the registration form by changing the amount to be paid, if making payment by bank transfer. The bank account details are as follows: In favor of Komercijalna banka a.d. Skopje, Macedonia The account number IBAN MK Beneficiary LHO MKD Under SWIFT advice to KOBSMK2X Please include your name and GC number in the payment reference for identification Official languages The official languages of the event are Macedonian and English. Transfers Local transportation for events specified in the programme, and for arrivals and departures from or to Skopje s Alexandar the Great Airport, will be provided by the official Tourist Agency "Avioturs Travel Service". (5) INVESTITURE Registration and Travel information - Macedonia 2011 Page 3

7 Excursions Guests who will not be participating in the reception at the Presidential State Residence on 9 September are cordially invited to come along on the following excursion: Friday, 9 September (10:00AM) Guided walking tour of Skopje (free of charge). This intriguing walking tour takes in some of Skopje s major historical and cultural sights. Accompanied by a well-informed professional guide, visitors will see the impressive Kale Fortress, Sveti Spas (Holly Salvation) Church, with its magnificent wood-carved iconostasis, the Old Bazaar, the Museum of Holocaust, and picturesque Stone Bridge over the River Vardar, as well as the Memorial House of Mother Theresa, and the Museum of the City of Skopje. The tour will tale approximately 3½ hours (about 2 miles/3km of walking). So please ensure that you have appropriate footwear and perhaps water and snacks. Additionally, we offer a one-day trip to Ohrid: Saturday, 10 September (9:00AM) Guided tour of Ohrid. This one-day guided tour takes visitors to Macedonia s far southwest, and the magnificent, 34km-long Lake Ohrid- one of Europe s oldest tectonic lakes, and known for its clean, translucent waters and endemic fish species. Ohrid town, built beside the lake, has the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its numerous Byzantine shrines and medieval fortifications found throughout the old part of the city. The tour of Ohrid (for which comfortable footwear is also advised) includes a visit to the Church of Sveta Bogorodica Perivlepta (Holy Mother of God the All-Seeing), built in 1295 and containing some of Europe s most artistically significant Byzantine frescoes and icons. Visitors will also see Ohrid s Antique theatre (3rd century B.C.), the Church of St Kliment at Plaoshnik, which stands near important early Christian church ruins, and the 14th-century Church of St. John Caneo, with its breathtaking cliff top view of the lake. The 11th-century Cathedral of St. Sophia (named for the famous Byzantine cathedral in Constantinople), with its sublime architecture, is another stop in the old town of Ohrid, which is dotted with quaint cobbled lanes and unique traditional architecture. There will also be opportunities for shopping (Ohrid is famous for its unique endemic pearls, made according to traditional formulas handed down over generations by specialist artisans). Please note that the tour of Ohrid will be held dependent on interest - it will be organized with a minimum of 20 participants. Cost for the tour is estimated to be 80 Euro (including transport, lunch at the Monastery "St. Naum", as well as guided visits to churches and museums). Please make booking through our official Tourist Agency "Avioturs Travel Service" Contacts: phone , fax , avioturs@yahoo.com Insurance and Medical Cover The Grand Priory Europe - Commandery Lazarus Macedonia do not take responsibility for medical, travel or life insurance. Participants are advised to hold valid international personal insurance policies. (5) INVESTITURE Registration and Travel information - Macedonia 2011 Page 4

8 Smoking Due to enforced national legislation, smoking will not be permitted in any area of the Investiture and other indoors event venues. Smoking is, however, allowed outside of the Investiture venue and other venues. Further enquiries For additional information regarding other queries, please contact: Miss. Jadranka Ivanova, OLJ - Executive Secretary "Lazarus Macedonia" Address: ul. 11 Oktomvri 38/27 Skopje Phone: Mobile: st-lazarus@t-home.mk Alternative jadrankaivanova@hotmail.com (5) INVESTITURE Registration and Travel information - Macedonia 2011 Page 5

9 GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA The Republic of Macedonia is situated in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula (Southeastern Europe) covering an area of square kilometers. Its relief is characterized by large and high mountain massifs giving way to extensive, flat valleys and plains. Climate The territory of the Republic of Macedonia distinguishes between the following homogenous climate regions: Mediterranean, mildly Continental, and Mountainous. Temperatures Hot summers (+37C), cold winters (-17C). Average temperature in September (+25C) Natural resources The natural conditions in the Republic of Macedonia (geological content, relief, climate, hydrographic, soil, flora and fauna) make it one of the rare countries in Europe with wealth of natural values. Population (2002 Census data) Ethnic groups The dominant residents are Macedonians (64.18%), than Albanians (25.17%), Turks (3.85%), Roma (2.66%), Vlachs (0.48), Serbs (1.78%), Bosnians (0.84%) and others (1.04%). National flag A yellow sun with eight broadening rays extending to the edges of the red field. Language Official language is the Macedonian. In the municipalities with over 20% of the other ethnic group other than the Macedonians, the language of that ethnic group is also an official language parallel with the Macedonian. (5) INVESTITURE Registration and Travel information - Macedonia 2011 Page 6

10 National Currency Macedonian Denar (MKD) Approximate rate: 1 Euro = 61,1 denars; 1 USD = 45,3 denars Time GMT+1 Telephone code Electricity 220 V, 50 Hz TRANSPORT By air: To Skopje Alexander the Great (Skopje) Airport Please ask our official travel agent "Avioturs Travel Service" for best solution for your flights. Airports: "Alexander the Great" (Skopje) Address: 1043, Petrovec Macedonia Tel: +389 (2) / 40 Fax: +389 (2) Sita: SKPAPXH Telex: Aftn: LWSKZPZX Web site: "Saint Paul the Apostle" (Ohrid) Address: P.O. Box 134 Ohrid 6000 Tel: +389 (46) Fax: +389 (46) Sita: OHDAPXH Aftn: LWOHZPZX Web site: Useful link You can find more information about the Republic of Macedonia on the following web sites: (Ministry of Foreign Affairs official web site) (5) INVESTITURE Registration and Travel information - Macedonia 2011 Page 7

11 The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem PLACES OF INTEREST IN AND AROUND SKOPJE PLACES OF INTEREST IN AND AROUND OHRID (5) INVESTITURE Registration and Travel information - Macedonia 2011 Page 8

12 Organizing Committee for Investiture Macedonia 2011 Contacts - Persons authorized for contacts (from LAZARUS-Macedonia): 1. Prof. Dr. Lazar Lazarov KCLJ President,Commander 2. Prof. Dr. Ilija Djonov KLJ Vice-President, Vice-Commander 3. MSc. arch. Gjoko Dinev CLJ Secretary General, Marshal 4. Mr. Petar Dzalev Journalist, Macedonian National TV NGO (responsible for Mediums) 5. Dr. Viktor Ruben, CLJ Treasurer 6. Mr. Vase Pandev, OLJ President of Organiznig Commitee 7. Jadranka Ivanova, OLJ Executive Secretary of Organizing C ommitee 8. Official Tourist Agency "Avioturs Travel Service" phone , fax , mobile ,) avioturs@yahoo.com) Spiritual Protectors (authorized by the Churches) 1. Metropolitant Pimen, EGCLJ Macedonian Orthodox Church, Bishop responsible for Europe 2. Msgr. Antun Cirimotic,SChLJ Rome-Catholic Church, Skopje, Macedonia Contacts - Persons authorized for contacts (from GP LAZARUS-Europe): 1. Klaus-Peter Pokolm, GCLJ, GCMLJ Grand Prior Europe, Cologne, Germany Member of the Grand Magistral Council 2. Ruediger Oppers,KLJ Chancellor GP-EU, Journalist, Director for WAZ Group, Germany (Mediums) 3. Msgr. Dr. Lothar Schlegel,EGCLJ Chaplain General Domkapitular Visitator Catholic Church, Muenster, Germany Contact to the Government of the Republic of Macedonia 1. Prof. Andrej A. Lepavcov, Ph.D., Foreign Affairs adviser in the Prime Minister s Office phone: Fax : andrej.lepavcov@primierminister.gov.mk Contact to the President of the Republic of Macedonia 1. Mrs. Jana Pepeljugovska, Protocol phone: mobile: LAZARUS-Contact Address St. Lazarus Humanitarian Organization Macedonia Office: Mobile : Fax : personal lazarov@mt.net.mk or lazar.lazarov@st-lazarus.net (5) INVESTITURE Registration and Travel information - Macedonia 2011 Page 9