Today Fra’ John Dunlap visited the Grand Master’s Palace, the day after the meeting with the President of Greece.
Rhodes, October 19, 2024 – Grand Master Fra’ John Dunlap is on an official visit to Greece. Through mediation of H.E Ambassador Luca Rovati, after meeting with the President of the Hellenic Republic Aikaterini Sakellaropoulou, the visit – marked by a mutual intent of strengthening ties and cooperation in the social and medical field – continued in Rhodes where the Grand Master met the Mayor, Alexander Coliadis, and the Governor of the South Aegean region, George Hatzimarkos.
Rhodes is where the relationship has deep historical ties, dating back to when the Knights of St. John established their stronghold on the island in 1310. After meeting with the local authorities, the Order of Malta’s delegation visited “The Grand Master’s Palace” for the inauguration of a permanent exhibition “From the Knights Hospitallers to the Knights of Malta”. The palace has recently undergone a major renovation in collaboration with the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Dodecanese. It has been home to a permanent exhibition on the Order of Malta for the past 25 years and was reopened to the public after a complete makeover in 2024.
Today the exhibition was inaugurated by Grand Master Fra’ John Dunlap together with Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni. The new exhibition aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the Order’s history, from its origins to the present day, along with its special connection to the island of Rhodes and Greece.
The exhibition comprises four rooms with screens, wall projections, significant objects and documents narrating the Order’s history. It also includes exclusive reproductions, such as Charles V’s Deed of Donation granting Malta to the Knights of St. John in 1530 and the one of the revered icon of Our Lady of Philermos, as well as a 3D model of the Syrian medieval castle “Krak des Chevaliers”.
The Order of Malta has been active in humanitarian efforts in Greece since before formal diplomatic relations were established. Notable initiatives carried out include the Aegean Search and Rescue mission, the donation of minibuses and support for a soup kitchen managed by Caritas Greece. Most recently, in 2023, Malteser International, alongside volunteers from Athens, provided assistance to wildfire victims on the island of Rhodes and began outreach assistance programs for the homeless and drug addicts in Athens.
