Orden Khrestonostsiv

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Orden Khrestonistsiv (in Ukrainian, Орден Хрестоносцiв) is a male fraternity of the Ukrainian Plast Scouting organization. It is sequentially the 5th kurin' (fraternity) of 'Older Scouts' ("starshi plastuny") and the 20th kurin' of 'Senior Scouts' ("seniory"). Together, these two "kureny" form the Orden Khrestonostsiv (or the "Order of the Crusaders")

1 History
2 Structure and organization
3 Ranks and Titles
4 Traditions
5 The Orden's activities within Plast
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] History

The Orden was founded by 16 plastuny aged 18 to 25, in March 1946, in the town of Traunstein in Bavaria, Germany, in which, by coincidence, Pope Benedict XVI grew up at the same time. These plastuny (Ukrainian Scouts) were post-World War II displaced persons from what today is Western Ukraine. Most of them were aged 18 through 20, and either in or entering universities and seminaries.

In 1948, the Orden had spread to include Scouts in the United States, Canada, France and Belgium.

Today, members can also be found in Argentina, Australia, Japan and, since 2002, again in Ukraine.

[edit] Structure and organization

The Orden consists of:

The 5th Kurin of "starshi plastuny" (Older Scouts) and
The 20th Kurin of "plastuny seniory" (Senior Scouts).

Each of the Kureni has a leadership that is led by a "Mayster," (master) with a "Skriptor" (scribe) and a "Trezoriy" (Treasurer). Additional functions such as a "Iudex" (magistrate) and a "Prokurator" (procurer, responsible for attracting new converts).

Together, these two "kureny" form the "Orden." The "Orden" has its own leadership that is led by the "Velykiy Mayster" (Grand Master), a "Velikiy Skriptor" (grand scribe), a "Velikiy Trezoriy" (grand treasurer). There are additional posts of "Heral'dist" (herald, or archivist) and "Tseremoniyalmayster" (master of ceremonies and traditions).

The current "Veiliy Mayster" of the Orden is Bohdan Pazuniak, aka "Lytsar Kabanos"

Throughout the year, the activities of the members of both "kureny" are conducted both individually and through local chapters or "stezhi," which combine members of both kureny. There are, or have been, "stezhi" in Chicago, Illinois; Buffalo, New York; New York City, New York; Jersey City, New Jersey; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Ternopil', Ukraine, among others.

Every two years, both kureni of the Orden meet at a "Velyka Rada" and elect new leadership of each "kurin'" and of the Orden itself.. The first Rada was held in Traunstein, Germany. With the growth of the Orden in the United States, most "Rady" have been held in various US and Canadian locations (including East Chatham, New York; Parma, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; Buffalo, New York; Fox Chase, Pennsylvania; and Lviv, Ukraine). In the 21st Century, with the formation of OX "stezhi" in Ukraine, a "Rada" may open in one city, be suspended and then conclude in another.

In intermediate years, each kurin' of the Orden has a "Mala Rada" ... today, with the "Senior Scouts" being more numerous than the "Older Scouts," a "Mala Rada" often includes members of both organizations.

In addition to the formal "rady" and local activity in the "stezhi," there are also informal and sporadic "Reydy" (raids) that are organized around the world.

[edit] Ranks and Titles

The Orden is a fairly egalitarian organization, with only three basic levels of membership:

"Kandydaty" or "Damski Kavalyery" are candidates for membership and, upon submission of an application for membership, are allowed to wear an emblem consisting of the black-and-white shield.

"Aspiranty" have been affiliated with the kurin sufficiently to be steeped in the kurin's traditions, and have proven their mettle through a series of secret ordeals, and are allowed nearly all privileges of membership. They wear an emblem (vidznaka) that consists of the entire OX symbol including the letters "OX," the shield, sword and a globe, albeit without the knight.

"Lytsari" (or "Knights") are full members of the Orden, and have proven their worth by their deeds and actions over a period of at least two years of being "aspiranty." They are knighted in a ceremony called "pasuvannia" and given their knightly name ("psevdo"). Henceforth, they are known to all members of the Orden as "Lytsar <name>." All Lytsari have the same privileges, but historical seniority and tradition segregates them into "Older Lytsari" and "Younger Lytsari."

At formal gatherings, all members are aligned according to rank and, within rank, in the order of their knighthood or entry into the Orden.

[edit] Traditions

The Orden is rich in traditions and ceremonies. Many of these are secret rituals including the mysterious "kanapa" and the spiritual "pasuvannia" and the arcane "kleynody" and are not disclosed to non-initiates.

[edit] Anthem

The "Hymn Khrestonostsiv" is solemny intoned by all members at every formal gathering.

[edit] Slogan

The slogan of the Orden is "Z khrestom i mechem --- za Ukrayinu!" which translates as "With the Cross and the sword, for Ukraine!"

[edit] Symbolism

The shield of the Orden is a Crusader Knight, with a sword and a shield of a cross that is reminiscent of the shield of the Knights Hospitaller.

At most Orden events, the key accoutrements are a "prapor" (flag standard), as well as a "metch" (sword) is present, along with four "kleynody" that symbolize the Plast slogan of "SKOB"="Syl'no, Krasno, Oberezhno, Bystro" ("Strongly, Beautifully, Carefully, Speedily").

[edit] Core Principles

The five core principles of the Orden are:

A Christian World-view
Active Patriotism
Adherence to the Core Plast Values and a chivalrous spirit
Personal intellectual enrichment
Active participation in the spiritual revitalization of the world

[edit] Wedding Ceremony

At weddings of one off their comrades, all members of the kurin' participate in a ritual ("tseremoniyal") that includes:

Proklamatsiya (proclamation) ... an edict read to all present, announcing, among other facts, that the wife of the member is henceforth admitted as a member of the Orden, with virtually the same privileges.
Presentatsiya Dariv ... the presentation of gifts, which typically include a bible, a scroll and a sword.
Aklyamatsiya Molodoho (acclamation of the Groom) ... a celebration of the member, which includes the member being borne atop an OX shield.
Adoratsiya Molodoyi (the adoration of the Bride) ... each member of the Orden, in order of rank and seniority, is introduced to the bride and dances with the bride, with the finale reserved for the groom.

[edit] Patron

The Patron of the kurin is Metropolitan Andriy Sheptytsky

[edit] The Orden's activities within Plast

In Plast today, Krestonostsi are actively involved as counselors or in other leadership roles. These activities include both summer camps and year-long work in the local branches (stanytsi). This work is at all levels, from senior leadership to working with scouts directly.

In addition, many Khrestonostsi are dedicated to community work in both Ukrainian and local communities.