Thank you for considering a charitable donation to the American Association of the Order of Saint Lazarus, Inc. There are four methods listed below to make a donation including the Pentecostal Appeal, Memorial and Honorary Gifts, AmazonSmile and Legacy Gifts.
Your philanthropy ensures the continuation of our 900-year-old tradition of serving humanity. We appreciate your continued support.
Pentecostal Appeal
If you’re a Grand Priory of America member, you may login and then go to Online Payments to make your Annual Pentecostal Donation online.
Memorial and Honorary Gifts
If you would like to make a charitable donation in memory/honor of a family member or friend, please use the Donate button below.
DOUBLE YOUR DONATION: Your gift may qualify for a matching gift by your employer, either as a current employee or a retiree. Check with your HR Department to see if your company will match your donation.
Holy Land Pilgrimage Medal
Members of the Order of St Lazarus may memorialize their Holy Land pilgrimage by applying for the Holy Land Pilgrimage Medal as well as an embroidered Shell for the member’s mantle.
To obtain the award, one must complete the application form, which can be downloaded on the page below, and making a suggested donation.
Circle of Bethany – Legacy Gifts
Quick Links
- Declaration of Intent Online Form
- Declaration of Intent Printable Form
- Personal Records Printable Form
- View FAQs
- Email Circle of Bethany
The American Association of the Order of St. Lazarus Inc. is a federally registered 501(c)(3) charity in the United States with the EIN 23-7230009
About the Circle of Bethany
The Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem is an ancient order with a long history of caring for pilgrims and the less fortunate afflicted by illness and injury Since the time of the Crusades, our Order has continued its special focus on the needs of “lepers,” victims of the scourge of leprosy or Hansen’s disease.
The Circle of Bethany recognizes and honors generous members of the Order who have made legacy plans to further our charitable mission through the Grand Priory of America.
Jesus’ resurrection of his friend Lazarus, who suffered from leprosy, is recounted in the bible as occurring in the village of Bethany where Jesus had previously visited Lazarus together with his sisters Martha and Mary and dined in their home. Jesus loved his friends, and when he returned to Bethany and saw Mary weeping over the death of her brother, he too was deeply moved and wept. Jesus then commanded the stone be removed from Lazarus’ tomb, thanked the Lord for hearing his plea, and cried out to Lazarus to come forth and be unbound and be free.
The following Passover, Jesus returned to Bethany and spent time with his dear friends again. Ever the hostess, Martha prepared and served beautiful meals as her sister Mary and brother Lazarus listened to the Lord. Like all great dinner parties, these friends and disciples discussed a wide range topics during their times together including, the best use of wealth, how to spend your time wisely, supporting the less fortunate, sorting out your worries and burdens, knowing what’s truly necessary and deserving of one’s focus, and a little estate planning as Jesus discussed his future death and burial.
Jesus created his own circle of beloved friends while he was in Bethany, and we are seeking to follow in his example through our creation of The Circle of Bethany.
We are members of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem who have made legacy plans benefiting the charitable works of the Grand Priory of America in our estate planning. We can join together as friends during various Circle of Bethany events to foster discussion of what really matters to us as individuals and as a society, and to rededicate ourselves to upholding the chivalric ideals of faith, honor, and charity through the relief of human suffering.
Jesus, Lazarus, Martha and Mary have given us the example of how to use the idea of our human mortality as a catalyst for our current decisions. They have shown us that we should embrace our friends and the present opportunities to focus on what truly matters to us, now and for the future. They have elevated the humble art of the dinner party chat to the worthy pastime of truly hearing the word of the Lord and learning to follow his lead in our lives of service.
The symbols of the Circle of Bethany are drawn from the gospels of Luke and John which tell the story of Jesus’ miraculous acts woven together with his everyday human engagement as he spent time with his circle of friends in Bethany.
A solid gold circle supporting the 8-pointed green St. Lazarus Cross represents the valuable and enduring strength of members supporting the charitable works of the Order of St. Lazarus in perpetuity.
The addition of a solid green circle in the center of the St. Lazarus Cross represents the stone removed from Lazarus’ tomb upon his resurrection by Jesus as well as a recognition of our own mortality. During the Passover dinner in Bethany, when Jesus told Judas Iscariot that Mary should keep the costly perfume for the day of his burial, Jesus set an example that we should consider our own impending death and make decisions on what we would like to happen afterwards.
The gold circle is inscribed with the phrase “The Glory of God” from John 11:4 – which describes Jesus’ reaction when he heard of his friend’s dire illness. Jesus said, ‘This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified by it.’ Lazarus’ death was a necessary step for Jesus to subsequently glorify the Lord by resurrecting Lazarus. As members of the Order of St. Lazarus, all that we do to support the poor, the sick and the dying while bearing Christian witness in a secular society is ultimately for the glory of God.
If you are interested in learning more about joining the Circle of Bethany, please review the FAQs or reach out to us via email at: CircleofBethany@st-lazarus.us to confidentially discuss your plans.
The American Association of the Order of St. Lazarus Inc. is a federally registered 501(c)(3) charity in the United States with the EIN 23-7230009.
Please see below to submit the Circle of Bethany Declaration of Intent form online to start the process or click here for a printable form to complete and return via email to CircleofBethany@st-lazarus.us.
Please click here for a Personal Records form to include with your own important estate planning documents.