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Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, Middle Atlantic Lieutenancy

2026 Annual Investiture Weekend

Hosted By The Diocese of Raleigh

Register Online For the Annual Investiture Weekend

Dates: October 23 and 24, 2026
Location: Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley
Cost: $700 per attendee (includes transportation, meals, and meeting spaces)

Middle Atlantic Lieutenancy

Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

Welcome to the Investiture Weekend of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, to be held in Raleigh, North Carolina, on October 23-24, 2026.

Among the promises we made when we were invested in the Order was a commitment to give witness to the works of prayer and charity of the Order and the Lieutenancy.
 
Investiture is a meaningful opportunity to witness together in faith, prayer, and fellowship, and to strengthen the bonds of friendship and service that unite the Lieutenancy. In our days together, we renew our commitment to the Church, to one another, and in a special way, to the Holy Land. Importantly, we gather around the Table of the Lord with our new investee members in faith, hope, and service.
 
The Annual Investiture Weekend offers a special time for us to come together in prayer and fellowship, rekindle old friendships, and forge new ones. Our attendance at this event is a vital part of the commitment we made upon our investiture, to actively participate in the life of the Lieutenancy and support the mission of the Order and the Holy Land.

Our communal time at Investiture begins Friday morning October 23, with a spiritual reflection on The Liturgy of the Hours and a Mass to remember our deceased members. In the afternoon, we have a spiritual reflection on the Christian Communities in the Holy Land, strengthening our personal bonds to them in solidarity to their witness to the Gospel promises. Friday is also a day of final preparation for those to be invested in the Order, culminating in our Vigil Service at the Cathedral, conducted by our Lieutenancy Grand Prior, the Most Rev. William E. Lori, KC*HC, Archbishop of Baltimore.

There, we recognize those who have earned promotion in the Order, and I will be formally installed as your Lieutenant.

Saturday begins with the Rite and Mass of Investiture at the Cathedral. After a return to the hotel and lunch, we will conduct the business of the Lieutenancy and have another reminder of the important work we support in the Latin Patriarchate and the Christian communities of the Holy Land. Following our business session, we will have the Votive Mass for Our Lady of Palestine. Our weekend concludes with a Gala Celebration in honor of our newest Knights, Dames and Knight Chaplains!

A special word of thanks to Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama for his kind invitation to spend Investiture in Raleigh.  And we thank the Members of the Raleigh Section, led by Sir James Ludwiczak, KCHS and Father Ryan Elder, Section Chaplain, for their tireless efforts in arranging our celebrations, events, and fellowship.

I look forward to welcoming you in person and sharing this prayerful and memorable weekend together.

 

Mark E. Chopko, KC*HS

Lieutenant

Join us for the 2026 ANNUAL INVESTITURE WEEKEND​

Online registration is now available, and mail-in registration will be available in the coming weeks.

Click Here To Register Online