The University of Malta (UM) in collaboration with the International Academy of the Order of Saint Lazarus is launching an online course on the History of the Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus. Prof Charles Savona-Ventura together with visiting lecturers, will be conducting this online course which is open for participants who reside either in Malta or in other countries.
The course commences in February 2025, however applications close on 31st January 2025. The weekly two hour sessions between February and June 2025 will be held online every Sunday.
The course, which forms part of the University's Programme for the Liberal Arts and Sciences (PLAS), aims to give a deeper understanding of the history of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. The course specifically separates myths from documented history reviewing the history of the Order right through from the eleventh century to present times.       
The aftermath of the First Crusade saw the development of a number of Military Monastic Orders specifically set up to cater for the needs of the pilgrims to the Holy Land. These had a varied development throughout the subsequent centuries. The study unit centres on the development of one particular Crusader Monastic & Military Hospitaller Order which catered specifically for the victims of leprosy. This Order was to find itself in close association with the Order of the Temple during the Outremer Period but survived that Order's abolition. It finally settled its grand magistry in France but had other major holdings in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, England, Central Europe and Hungary. These different groups were to eventually break off relations between each other, some falling on the wayside as a result of the Ottoman European incursion and the Reformation. This left two main fractions of the Order of St Lazarus - one in France supported by the French king and the second in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies eventually linked to the Duchy of Savoy. The French Revolution and its aftermath together with the Italian Risorgimento had significant effects on the subsequent histories of these two branches. These two Orders still exist in modern times.
Prof Charles Savona-Ventura is a historian and the Grand Hospitaller of the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. He is also head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology within the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, and the Director for the Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine, both at the University of Malta. He has authored several medical and historical books and papers.
Course fee for Maltese/EU/EEA applicants is €180. If you are a national from other countries outside of the EU/EEA please see fees details here.
One can apply on this link here.

The objectives of the International Academy of the Order of St Lazarus include the promotion of historical knowledge related to the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, and other related Crusader and orders of chivalry.  Historical research of the Academy may relate to the hierarchy, traditions, its laws and ancient history, as well as its relations with Christian Churches.

The Academy is based in Malta and is a registered NGO [VO/1969]. Since its setting up in 2017, the Academy organised five international conferences. Its website which includes unique historical information is available at: http://www.lazarus-academy.com/

More information on UM's online course LAS1084 - History of the Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus can be found on UM's  PLAS website.