This gift consists of a certain piece of land and a vineyard which the same lepers, after the donation of the said piece of land, planted, situated before the houses of the same lepers, which our father and the queen mother acquired from a certain Syrian whose the aforesaid piece of land was. Let it be known to all, both present and future, that I, Baldwin, by the grace of God, the fourth king of the Latin Holy City of Jerusalem, and Melisende, our queen mother, grant and confirm that gift which Fulk, of blessed memory, our father, the third king of the Latin Holy City of Jerusalem, and the same Melisende, our aforementioned mother, gave to the lepers of the Church of Saint Lazarus, which is in Jerusalem, as an offering for the remedy of their souls. In the year 1144 Baldwin III, King of Jerusalem, and Melisende, his mother confirmed the donation made the two years before of a piece of land situated in front of the leprosarium, a piece of land that had been obtained by the king and queen from a Syrian and planted with vines by the lepers. They enjoyed the support of the local government and were recognized by the local rulers. Their contribution, although often overlooked, played a crucial role in the crusades. The knights of the Order, themselves often lepers, became involved in the defense of the Holy Land and fought alongside other chivalric orders like the Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaller. On the other hand, it also took on a military role in the crusading era. It provided care to those affected by leprosy, building and managing several leprosariums across Europe. The Order of Saint Lazarus served a dual purpose. Gerard’s feast day is celebrated on September 3rd in the Catholic Church, honoring his charitable and compassionate life. Lazarus remains an essential part of the order’s history and its enduring commitment to charitable works. However, his legacy as the founder and first Grand Master of the Order of St. It continued to grow in prominence and influence, attracting members from various backgrounds who were committed to the order’s dual mission of caring for lepers and defending the Holy Land.Īs with many historical figures from the medieval period, it is challenging to verify the exact details of Blessed Gerard’s life and actions to verify due to the scarcity of written records. Lazarus became officially recognized by the Church and received papal approval. Lazarus”, or ”The Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem.”īlessed Gerard was chosen as the first Grand Master of the Order due to his dedication, piety, and leadership qualities. This group of devoted individuals took religious vows and became known as ”The Order of St. The hospital and the community of caregivers that gathered around Gerard Tum eventually evolved into a religious and chivalric order. Lazarus in Jerusalem, where he and a group of companions tended to the needs of lepers, providing them with medical care, food, and spiritual comfort. He founded a leper hospital near the Church of St. He devoted his life to charitable work, particularly caring for individuals afflicted with leprosy, a devastating and highly stigmatized disease during the medieval period.īlessed Gerard Sasso (c. 1040 – 3 September 1120), known also as Gérard de MartiguesĪccording to historical accounts and legend, Gerard Tum was moved by the suffering of lepers and felt called to alleviate their pain and isolation. Gerard Tum, a native of Martigues, France, was a layman who dedicated himself to serving the sick and infirmed. He is recognized as the first Grand Master of the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, which was founded in the 12th century. Blessed Gerard – The First Grand Masterīlessed Gerard, also known as Gerard Tum, was a crucial figure in the establishment of the Order of St. The Order’s patrons chose Lazarus, the biblical figure reputedly resurrected by Jesus, as their namesake-signifying a message of hope and recovery amidst suffering. Its initial mandate was to serve as a hospitaller entity, providing care and succor to those afflicted with leprosy. Lazarus traces its origins back to the late 11th century, specifically in Jerusalem, when leprosy was a widespread disease. The Order, which initially began as a leper hospital in the Holy Land, gradually expanded to a military and chivalric order with a profound influence on the culture and religion of the era. Lazarus, often referred to as the Leper Brothers of Jerusalem or the Order of Lazarus, is one of the lesser-known, yet profoundly influential, chivalric orders that emerged in the Middle Ages.
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