The Order of St John

The Order of St John is a major international charity, accredited to the United Nations, whose organisations – together widely known as St John - provide first aid, health care and support services in over 40 countries around the world. The Order's charitable work is carried out by the St John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem and St John organisations worldwide – with volunteers and staff of over 250,000.

The Order of St John itself is an Order of Chivalry of the British Crown. Her Majesty The Queen, the Head of the Order, honours individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the work of St John, by awarding membership, at different grades, in the Order.

The Order is also a Christian Order. It was founded on Christian principles and is motivated by Christian ideals. It, however, warmly welcomes people of any faith or of no faith, who are motivated to share in our mission.

The Order of St John traces its origins back over 900 years when a hospice was established in Jerusalem to care for the sick and poor of any faith. It is from this that we derive our inspiration and mottoes – Pro Fide Pro Utilitate Hominum, 'For the Faith and in the Service of Humanity.' Read more about our history.

The Order currently works in: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, Bermuda, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica, England and the Islands, Fiji, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New GuineaScotland, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United States of America, Wales, Zambia and Zimbabwe.