The order of the Knights of Malta
Photos of my Knighthood
On 27th June 2004, Mr. Zahal Levy was awarded the honorary title:
KNIGHT
The title represents the deep appreciation of the
Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem
Knights of Malta
for his contribution to healthcare development and standards in Europe
According to the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the honorary knighthood recognises contributions to improving health and reducing poverty in parts of the developing world. Mr. Levy was also recognised for his contribution to enterprise, employment, education, and the voluntary sector in the CEE region.
In acknowledgement of the award, Sir Zahal Levy said:
“I am humbled and delighted.
This title, and what it stands for, will always represent the choices I have made in my life, while at the same time helping to recognise the real need to improve health in the CEE region.
I hope to see a day when all people, no matter how rich or poor they are, will have the same opportunity to lead a healthy life and take advantage of accessible healthcare.
This honour is particularly poignant given the deep relationships I have enjoyed with some special personalities along my path. Over the past 23 years I have benefited greatly from strong business alliances and a tremendous wealth of talent and creativity. I am proud to have met and worked with Mr. Joseph Priel, Haim and Dr. Dvora Teitelbaum, and many others, who have left an indelible impression on my career.”
These special relationships represented significant milestones and have greatly impacted how my career and the projects in which I have been involved have developed.
Euromedic International employs nearly 2,000 people across the EU. The company also supports a strong ecosystem of partner businesses that have helped spur the growth and adoption of medical technology in the economies of Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Poland.
History and Review of the order of the Knights of Malta
Domus Hospitalis – Jerusalem (1048 – 1291)
It is difficult to support and to love an institution if we don’t know its history. To condense the millenarian and glorious history of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem in a few pages is practically impossible. This succinct chronic recalls some of the principal events that have contributed to the historic evolution of the Order, from its origins up to the present day.
By the beginning of the eleventh century, the Saracens had already been occupied Jerusalem for about 500 years. In 1020 Caliph Dehara Ladimellah granted permission, to a group of Amalfitan sailors, to establish a district in Jerusalem witch provided commercial quarters, lodgings for travellers, churches and shelters for sick people and pilgrims, often who were victims of violence and persecutions.
A monastic brotherhood of Hospitallers, which could be considered the initial nucleus, and certainly the most significant of the Order, was created for the purpose of managing the “Domus Hospitalis”, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, which gave hospitality to men, and the Hospital of Saint Madeleine, which gave support to women.
History 1
In 1090, that “Sacra Domus”, was administered by Benedictines, their master was Fra Gerardo de Sasso, born in La Provence, according to some accounts, or on Amalfi, according to others, and who had miraculously escaped death. He is recognized as the first historical figure and the first Grand Master of the Order, and was elevated to the honor of the altars among the Blessed Hospitallers.
Shortly after its foundation, the “Domus Hospitalis” became the focal point not only for the traders of Amalfi, but also and especially for the anonymous and destitute mass of people on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the holiest place of Christianity. In 1099, at the end of the first Crusade (1095-1099), Godfrey of Bouillon reconquered Jerusalem, and Baldwin became its first King.
The “Sacra Domus” experienced its most glorious moments and began to develop a supporting action, not only in favour of traders and pilgrims, but also to the growing Brotherhood of “frates” which was expanding along with the number of the holy places. This Brotherhood that had acquired its own characteristics and became an institution, began to act in favour of the Crusaders.


History 2
In 1100, the Brotherhood received donations from Godfrey of Bouillon himself, from Roger of Sicily, and from many other Christian princes. These donations could be considered lawful titles of that sovereignty that eventually became the main characteristic of the Order, and created a Nation without frontiers, a Kingdom without a dynasty.
By virtue of the pontifical bull of February 15th, 1113, and following acts, Pope Pascal II approved the institution of the Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem, free from any civil or ecclesiastic authority. The little Brotherhood stretched beyond the borders of Palestine, and extended all over the Christian dominions, where authorized by the Pope, it was allowed to receive donations and to found houses.
The presence of the Order in Jerusalem was especially significant when, upon the death of Fra Gerardo, a nobleman from Provence, Fra Raymond Du Puy, was called to guide the Hospitallers in 1120. He radically changed the plans, the strategy and the purposes of the institution.
The defence of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, and the blooming of the spirit of chivalry were the determinant causes that induced the “frates” to become “equites et servientes armigeri”. By the will of Innocent III, the initial Hospitallers’ tasks were supplemented with military functions. It was an original fusion: military forces defending the Christian dominions, and the hospitaller charity defending life.
The religious and chivalric structure found legitimacy through the concept that to defend the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, which God wanted, was a duty that not Christian could evade. The Knights, who had adopted the octagonal white cross as badge, fought for the defence of the ailing and the weak, for the pilgrims, for righteousness and justice. They were bound by three religious vows: obedience, poverty and chastity. The chaplains safeguarded the offerings and the “frates” healed and comforted the unwell and buried the unfortunate.
On his deathbed, the King of Aragon, Knight of the Order, bequeathed all his possessions to the Knights, leaving them in usufruct to be managed by the Templar Knights and the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, who were courageously protecting the holy places.
Meanwhile the Knights took part in the Second Crusade (1147-1149) and partook in a particular way in the expedition against Damascus (1148). The Order replenished its reserves, opened settlements in many states, received properties all over Europe, and became the bastion of the Christian faith.
History 3
In 1187 Saladin, after many resounding victories and conquering so many territories, crossed the Jordan river. Despite putting up a brave defence, the Grand Master and many Knights of the Order, Templar Knights and Knights of the Holy Sepulchre were killed in the vain attempt to stop the infidel from reconquering Jerusalem. The Seat of the Order was transferred to Margat, in Syria.
During the Third Crusade (1189-1192), guided by Richard The Lionhearted, with the military contribution of the Knights of the Order, Saint John of Acre (the city of Acre) was liberated and became the new Seat of the Order. In 1265, the Sultan attacked and reconquered Tiro, Cesarea and Margat; only the Crac evaded the attack thanks to a fortress built to resist sieges even for long periods, but finally it was lost. After an heroic resistance, the Grand Master Jean De Williers abandoned the last strongholds of Saint John of Acre on 1291.
