In the Middle Ages, leprosy plagued all of Europe. Unhappy patients were forced to live out their sad days in complete isolation - it was very easy to get infected. This misfortune did not escape the warlike crusaders: already on the territory of Palestine, many lepers appeared, being treated in a leper colony outside the walls of Jerusalem. This is where the strange story of a strange order of leper knights begins, who instilled fear in the enemy with their very appearance.
From hospital to battle
In 1098, the crusaders in Palestine founded one of the most unusual orders in the history of such organizations. The fact is that the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem was originally the most common hospital for lepers.
Strange warriors
In fact, that very hospital was under the jurisdiction of the Greek Patriarchate, as the representatives of the Holy See pointed out to the self-proclaimed knights. Only those knights who had contracted leprosy were admitted to the ranks of the Order of Saint Lazarus - in fact, on the battlefield, such warriors had nothing to fear.
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Unrecognized under the cross
Until 1255, the Order, which followed the "Rite of St. Augustine", was not recognized by the Holy See. However, European kings favored lepers, but not broken knights: the chapter of the order gradually gained strength in the Holy Land.
Third crusade
The Order spent most of its time in peaceful labors. It was only after Saladin captured Jerusalem in 1187 that the knights of Saint Lazarus began to take an active part in the hostilities. Many documents have been preserved according to which the leper knights repeatedly entered into battles during the Third Crusade.
Slaughter of Forbia
On October 17, 1244, the Order could well have ended its existence. The battle of Forbia was more like a merciless massacre: the crusaders suffered a crushing defeat, but the Order of Saint Lazarus left on the battlefield in general all the knights capable of fighting - including the master himself.
Risen from the Ashes
However, the order was restored. During the Second Crusade, Louis XVII endowed the brave lepers with property and income in Boigny. Here, after the expulsion of the crusaders from Palestine, a new seat of the Order was founded.
Modern crusaders
The French in 1608 preferred to unite with the Order of Our Lady of Carmel - now the Hospitallers called themselves the Royal Order of Our Lady of Carmel and Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. In this form, the order existed until 1830. Actually, the organization (which has already regained its former name) still exists today. The Order of Saint Lazarus has residences in 24 countries and is engaged in charitable activities.