From 3rd to 5th October 2024, the annual meeting of the Council of the Alliance of the Orders of St John of Jerusalem was held in Zurich. Sixteen representatives from nine organisations of the four non-catholic Orders of St John convened to discuss ongoing initiatives and strengthen cooperation.

The Alliance, established in 1961 in Niederweisel, Germany, traces its roots to preliminary talks initiated in Bubikon, Switzerland, in 1958. Its members include the Johanniterorden, the Most Venerable Order of St John, the Johanniter Orde in Nederland, the Johanniterorden i Sverige, and the Commanderies in Finland, France, Hungary and Switzerland. All member organisations, except Finland, were represented at a high level, joined by special guests such as Christan Velten-Jameson, Chairman of Johanniter International, and the Governing Commander of the Austrian Commandery.

The meeting addressed a range of topics, with a focus on collaborative efforts in war-affected regions like Ukraine and the Middle East. Highlights included the Mission Siret initiative, launched by the Johanniterorden to provide humanitarian aid in Ukraine and now supported by all Alliance members, as well as the St John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem, which operates branches in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Emergency aid in Gaza, in particular, remains a significant challenge for the Alliance.

The conference opened with a solemn service in the choir of Zurich’s historic Grossmünster cathedral and was complemented by a supporting program. Attendees enjoyed an evening at the Ritterhaus Bubikon, a tour of the Grossmünster led by the Order’s Governing Commander, and a visit to “Schauplatz Brunngasse,” a site renowned for its medieval frescoes and its history as part of the Johanniter Komturei Leuggern. 

This year’s meeting underscored the enduring spirit of cooperation among the four Orders, reinforcing their shared commitment to humanitarian service and historical legacy.