News

April 9, 2026

Author: Vitéz Nob. Mária Fekete de Galántha, Seat Captain of Victoria Region

The Order of Vitéz were active participants presenting a historical exhibition of the life stories of 23 of our Hungarian heroes from around Australia. These were documented and published in a mini booklet in both English and Hungarian, a cherished representation of our honoured Vitézes.

Another aspect to our successful exhibition was the display of the building of the Melbourne ecumenical church, which was prepared by our emeritus Staff Captain, Vitéz István Világos.

We were honoured to have our exhibition opened by the Ambassador, his excellency Zsolt Csenger-Zalán and the Melbourne Hungarian Consul, Dr. Endre Domaniczky.

All who attended were deeply moved to have this knowledge shared with them and to gain a greater understanding of the Order of Vitéz, its heroes, and their enduring contributions to the preservation of the Hungarian nation.

Acknowledgements
Some exceptional Hungarians arrived on the shores of Australia after WWII and 1956. Some were already members of the Order of Vitéz and some became members later. They often endured incredible hardship and tragedy before arriving here but nearly always built successful lives enriching the Australian success story. Already, the names and lives of these people is receding into history. In an attempt to revive the spark, some short life stories were collected of our members past and present. Hopefully, the collection will expand as more and more life stories are unearthed.

The material was collected and compiled by Vitéz Lilla Kövesdy-Ámon, Staff Captain of Australia region.

Grateful acknowledgement for the assistance of Vitéz noble Mária Fekete de Galántha, Seat Captain of Victoria Region and Head of Treasury of Australia, and Vitéz Caroline Fazakas, Vitéz Lieutenant for Victoria Region. And thanks go to Dr. Endre Domaniczky, Consul, Head of Post for Melbourne, for the generous offer to help with the Hungarian translations.

---

April 7, 2026

In Melbourne, Australia we commemorated the Revolution of 1848 March 15thsymbolising national independence and democracy.

Vitéz Kövesdy-Ámon Lilla, Staff Captain Australia and Vitéz Nemes galánthai Fekete Mária, Seat Captain Victoria and Vitéz Fazakas Caroline, Vitézi Hadnagy Victoria, lay flowers (Koszoruzás) at the Heroes Memorial at the Hungarian Centre, Melbourne Australia.

The Koszoruzás was followed by a special commemoration performance, opened by the Ambassador of Hungary, his excellency Zsolt Csenger-Zalán supported by our Hungarian Consulate members in Melbourne. Our Hungarian dancers and musicians performed.

---

March 17, 2026

Author: Vitéz Margit Kótai, Seat Captain

On March 15, 2026, the members of the Danube–Csepel Seat Captaincy of the Vitézi Rend took part in a ceremony held in Budapest’s 21st district, Csepel, during which they laid a wreath at the statue of Sándor Petőfi.

Following this, a unit assembly was held, attended by 12 of our members, while 4 represented the Vitézi Rend at the Peace March. We warmly and respectfully welcomed Ferenc Hegedűs of Szajol, Chief Captain, whose presence elevated the standard of the gathering. After the reports and contributions, the annual membership fees were also collected. With heavy hearts, we commemorated our comrades who passed away last year: Vitéz Ernő Kaiser, Seat Captain; Vitéz Miklósné Nagy (née Zsuzsanna Sermes); and Vitéz László Csóka, Lieutenant. Finally, we visited the local House of Unity, also known as the Trianon Museum.

---

February 18, 2026

Author: Sandro Baricevic

Sandro Baricevic’s excellent article with the above title, published on the site of The Investiture, at the following link.

https://theinvestiture.substack.com/p/the-architecture-of-legitimacy-sovereignty

The article also can be available in PDF in English.

https://www.vitezi-rend.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The_Architecture_of_Legitimacy_Sovereignty_Jura_Maiestatis_and_Fons_Honorum_EN.pdf

The Hungarian translation made by Vitéz Erik Gyurácz-Fazekas and can be found here:

https://www.vitezi-rend.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The_Architecture_of_Legitimacy_Sovereignty_Jura_Maiestatis_and_Fons_Honorum_HU.pdf

January 2, 2026

Author: Dr. Vitéz Nob. Chev. Imre Vejkey de Vejke, Spiritual Staff Captain

Commemorating the anniversary of the coronation of Blessed Charles IV as King of Hungary, Parish Priest Dr. László Süllei, Episcopal Vicar General, celebrated a festive Holy Mass on December 28, on Holy Family Sunday, at the Matthias Church in Buda Castle.

During the liturgy, celebrated in Latin, we remembered the life, charitable acts, and exemplary marriage of Blessed Charles IV.

As in previous years, today’s festive Holy Mass was hosted by Dr. Ádám Berniczei-Roykó and his wife, Ágnes. The coronation memorial Mass was established at their initiative, with the intention of opening a long-standing family tradition to a wider circle.

At last year’s event, the Hungarian royal family was represented by Archduke Georg von Habsburg-Lothringen, Royal Prince of Hungary, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, grandson of King Blessed Charles IV, and his wife, Archduchess Eilika, Royal Princess of Hungary.

This year, in the presence of Archduke Joseph Karl von Habsburg-Lothringen, Royal Prince of Hungary and Captain General of the Order of Vitéz, invitations were extended to representatives of the legitimate Order of Vitéz, recognized orders of knighthood, the Batthyány Foundation, the Andrássy Salon Foundation, the Association of Hungarian Historical Families (MTCSE), as well as several members of the Hungarian Parliamentary Prayer Group.

One hundred years ago, on December 30, 1916, the coronation of Blessed Charles IV, Apostolic King of Hungary, took place here in the Matthias Church. The new king, who was only 29 years old at the time, was already familiar with the horrors of war, having served on the Galician and Transylvanian fronts. He ascended the throne on November 21.

Despite the raging First World War, efforts were made to hold the coronation with the greatest possible pomp: ceremonial robes were made, festive publications were issued, and every detail of the ceremony was defined by complex protocol.

Alongside Charles, his wife, Empress Zita, was also crowned Queen of Hungary—touching the Crown of Saint Stephen to her right shoulder according to ancient custom.

The story of the festive luncheon following the coronation is particularly moving. After the toasts were delivered, the King ended the meal and sent the untouched food to the city’s hospitals for soldiers wounded in the First World War. Compassionate love lived in his heart. Perhaps he saw the essence of things better than anyone else among the celebrants. Behind the competition and the pomp, sadness and tragedy were already lurking. In King Charles’s insight and love, the wisdom of a man of God already shone through.

King Charles inherited a country that was socially, politically, and militarily unstable. Amidst an increasingly hopeless struggle, he sought a separate peace treaty with the Entente as early as the spring of 1917. However, the latter had no interest in the Monarchy withdrawing from the war, as this would have upset the long-established post-war plans—namely, the liquidation of Austria-Hungary and the division of its territories.

He was among the few who strove for peace not out of political calculation or power interests, but out of sincere conscientious conviction. In this, he did not look at outward appearances; instead, he felt the misery of the people and saw in the acceptance of peace the opportunity to save the lives of millions.

The King’s efforts were unsuccessful, and after the Central Powers lost the war, he was forced to abdicate. He attempted to return to the Hungarian throne but was eventually exiled to the island of Madeira. He died there at a very young age, only 34, from the Spanish flu in April 1922.

Pope Saint John Paul II beatified Charles IV on October 3, 2004, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Unlike other saints, his memorial day was designated not as the date of his death, but as the date of his marriage to Princess Zita, October 21. This directs attention to his exemplary married life, emphasizing that marriage is one path to becoming a saint.

Before the concluding blessing of the Mass, Dr. vitéz Imre Vejkey, Spiritual Staff Captain and founder and leader of the Hungarian Parliamentary Prayer Group, addressed those present:

The example of Blessed King Charles’s life teaches us to trust in God despite all human appearances. We worthily remember the coronation of our last Apostolic King when we renew within ourselves our responsibility for the community and our trust in the providential God, who views our lives through the perspective of eternal happiness.

Blessed King Charles, pray for us!

---

Photos: Dr. Vitéz Tamás Elter Seat Captain

---

Video by Vitéz Elemér István Matécsa