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Vitézi Rend

Vitézi Rend

  • Order of Vitéz
    • The Mission and Values
    • A brief history of the Order of Vitéz
    • Organizational Structure
    • Accreditation
    • How to join
    • Oath of the Vitéz
    • Heraldic usage in the Order of Vitéz
    • Policy concerning nobility, nobiliary titles and membership in chivalric organisations
    • Portrait Gallery of Famous Members
    • Holidays of the Order of Vitéz
  • Articles
    • The Vitézi Rend (Order of Vitez), an honour superior to a Chivalric order
    • Order of Vitéz – Questions and Mistakes
    • Hungary’s history in a nutshell
    • Commemorating 80 years since the Don Disaster 1943
  • Statements
  • News & Programs
    • News
    • Programs
  • Gallery
    • Debrecen – August 23, 2025
    • Legénd – June, 2025
    • Casale Monferrato – May, 2025
    • Washington D.C. – Celebration of the 4th Annual Hungarian Festival – April 26, 2025
    • Royal Palace of Gödöllő – August, 2024
    • Legénd – June, 2024
    • Casale Monferrato – May, 2024
    • Sydney, Australia – February, 2024
    • Melbourne, Australia – February, 2024
    • The day of Knightly Order of Saint Michael of the Wing – Alcobaça, Portugal, September 29, 2023
    • Máriapócs – September, 2023
    • Stockholm – June, 2023
    • Casale Monferrato – May, 2023
    • Pécs – November, 2022
    • Máriapócs – September, 2022
    • Törökszentmiklós, Kenderes – May, 2022
    • Malta – March, 2022
    • Casale Monferrato – December, 2021
    • Stockholm – October, 2021
    • Fatima – September, 2021
    • Máriapócs – August, 2021
    • Legénd – June, 2021
    • Budapest – September, 2019
    • Stockholm – May, 2019
    • Bicske – September, 2012
    • Vác – September, 2010
  • Video
  • Contact
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Vitez

Organizational Structure

MEMBERS OF THE SEAT OF VITÉZ

Főkapitány (Captain General)

HIRH Vitéz Josef Karl von Habsburg-Lothringen, Archduke of Austria, Royal Prince of Hungary


Dezignált Főkapitány (Designated Captain General)

HIRH Vitéz Josef Albrecht von Habsburg-Lothringen, Archduke of Austria, Royal Prince of Hungary


Főkapitány-helyettes, ügyvezető törzskapitány, Magyarország országos törzskapitánya (Deputy Captain General, Governor General, Staff Captain of Hungary)

Dr. Vitéz Nob. Chev. Ádám Berniczei-Roÿkó de Bernicze et Csetnek
fokapitany-helyettes@vitezi-rend.com


Főkapitány-helyettes, széki bíró törzskapitány, a Felvételi Bizottság elnöke (Deputy Captain General, Staff Captain Judge of the Seat, Chairman of the Admissions Committee)

Prof. Dr. Vitéz Nob. Chev. László T. Kóczy de Borgó et Nagysikárló
szekibiro@vitezi-rend.com


Főszéktartó széki törzskapitány (Grand Chancellor Seat Staff Captain)

Vitéz Ferdinánd Botond Bardoly-Küzmös
ferdinand.bardoly-kuzmos@vitezi-rend.com
foszektarto@vitezi-rend.com


Főkincstárnok széki törzskapitány, Skandinávia területi törzskapitánya (Head of Treasury Seat Staff Captain, Staff Captain of the Scandinavian Region)

Vitéz Robert Winton, KCSG
robert.winton@vitezi-rend.com
fokincstarnok@vitezi-rend.com


SUPERVISORY COUNCIL

Elnök főtanácsos törzskapitány (Chairman, Chief Councillor, Staff Captain)

Vitéz Nob. Ferenc Hegedüs de Szajol
ferenc.hegedus@vitezi-rend.com


Cenzor főtanácsos törzskapitány (Chief Censor Councillor, Staff Captain)

Vitéz Nob. Gábor Hegyi de Agyagfalva
gabor.hegyi@vitezi-rend.com


Etikai főtanácsos törzskapitány (Chief Ethics Councillor, Staff Captain)

Vitéz Count Krisztián Széchenyi de Sárvárfelsővidék
krisztian.szechenyi@vitezi-rend.com


MAIN OFFICERS

Spirituális törzskapitány (Spiritual Staff Captain)

Dr. Vitéz Nob. Chev. Imre Vejkey de Vejke
imre.vejkey@vitezi-rend.com


A Vitézi Dámák Legátája törzskapitány (Legate of Vitéz Dames Staff Captain)

Vitéz Countess Margit Batthyány-Schmidt de Németújvár
margit.batthyany-schmidt@vitezi-rend.com


Historicus törzskapitány (Historian Staff Captain)

Vitéz Nob. Attila Bánó de Tapolylucska et Kükemező
attila.bano@vitezi-rend.com


Herold, Főszéktartó-helyettes Székkapitány (Herald, Deputy Chancellor Seat Captain)

Vitéz Nob. Zsolt Zsigray de Zsigra
zsolt.zsigray@vitezi-rend.com


Fegyvermester, Főszéktartó-helyettes Székkapitány (Armourer, Deputy Chancellor Seat Captain)

Vitéz Dénes Komiszár
denes.komiszar@vitezi-rend.com


Adminisztrátor Főszéktartó-helyettes Székkapitány (Administrator Deputy Chancellor Seat Captain)

Vitéz Countess Éva Teleki-Kiss de Szék
eva.teleki-kiss@vitezi-rend.com


Seat Captain of the Postulants

Dr. Vitéz Tamás Elter
tamas.elter@vitezi-rend.com


Kommunikációs hadnagy (Communications Lieutenant)

Vitéz Nob. György Füleky de Péterfalva
gyorgy.fuleky@vitezi-rend.com


Heroldhadnagy (Lieutenant Herald)

Vitéz Fredrik Falkenback
fredrik.falkenback@vitezi-rend.com


Hírszerkesztő hadnagy (News Editor Lieutenant)

Vitéz Erik Gyurácz-Fazekas
erik.gyuracz-fazekas@vitezi-rend.com
hirszerkeszto@vitezi-rend.com


Fegyvermester hadnagy (Armourer Lieutenant)

Vitéz Zoltán Varga
zoltan.varga@vitezi-rend.com


VITÉZ IN THE RANK OF OFFICER

Törzskapitány (Staff Captain)

HIRH Vitéz Paul Leopold von Habsburg-Lothringen, Archduke of Austria, Royal Prince of Hungary


Törzskapitány (Staff Captain)

HIRH Vitéz Margarete von Habsburg-Lothringen, Archduchess of Austria, Royal Princess of Hungary


Törzskapitány (Staff Captain)

HIRH Vitéz Mónika Ilona von Habsburg-Lothringen, Archduchess of Austria, Royal Princess of Hungary


Törzskapitány (Staff Captain)

HIRH Vitéz Elisabeth von Habsburg-Lothringen, Archduchess of Austria, Royal Princess of Hungary


Törzskapitány (Staff Captain)

HIH Vitéz Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie


Törzskapitány (Staff Captain)

HRH Vitéz Crownprince Leka II of Albania


Tiszteletbeli törzskapitány (Honorary Staff Captain)

† Marquess Antal Pallavicini, Colonel


Emeritus törzskapitány (Emeritus Staff Captain)

Vitéz Nob. Mária Elekes Haraldson de Szentkatolna


Emeritus főkincstárnok törzskapitány (Emeritus Head of Treasury Staff Captain)

Vitéz Éva Berkovits
eva.berkovits@vitezi-rend.com


Székkapitány (Seat Captain)

Vitéz Count Peter Sant Manduca
peter.sant.manduca@vitezi-rend.com


Székkapitány (Seat Captain)

Vitéz Nob. Béla Aba de Barantal
bela.aba@vitezi-rend.com


Székkapitány (Seat Captain)

Vitéz Ágnes Balassa
agnes.balassa@vitezi-rend.com


Székkapitány (Seat Captain)

Vitéz Nob. Károly Hegyi de Agyagfalva, Colonel
karoly.hegyi@vitezi-rend.com


Székkapitány (Seat Captain)

Vitéz Nob. Géza István Nagy
geza.nagy@vitezi-rend.com


Székkapitány (Seat Captain)

The Reverend Vitéz Lenke Nagy, Reformed Pastor


Székkapitány (Seat Captain)

The Reverend Vitéz Canon Fr. Zsolt Szerencsés
zsolt.szerencses@vitezi-rend.com


Székkapitány (Seat Captain)

Vitéz Zoltán Wodianer-Nemessuri de Kapriora


Hadnagy (Lieutenant)

Vitéz Stefan Urs Breu
stefan.urs.breu@vitezi-rend.com


STAFF CAPTAINCY OF HUNGARY

1.
Törzskapitány (Staff Captain) of West Hungary Region

Vitéz Count Sándor Teleki de Szék
sandor.teleki@vitezi-rend.com


1/a.
Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of North Transdanube Region

Vitéz Mariann Tóth
mariann.toth@vitezi-rend.com


1/b.
Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of Őrség Region

Vitéz Nob. Gábor Újfalussy-Boldizsár
gabor.ujfalussy-boldizsar@vitezi-rend.com


1/c.
Hadnagy (Lieutenant) of Vas and Zala County Region

Vitéz Béla Tutkovics
bela.tutkovics@vitezi-rend.com


1/d.
Hadnagy (Lieutenant) of Central Transdanube and Veszprém County Region

Vitéz Barbara Rauch
barbara.rauch@vitezi-rend.com


1/e.
Hadnagy (Lieutenant) of Pécs Region

Vitéz Barbara Balatonyi
barbara.balatonyi@vitezi-rend.com


2.
Törzskapitány (Staff Captain) of Central Hungary Region

Vitéz Baron Loránd Riedel de Leuenstern
lorand.riedel@vitezi-rend.com


2/a.
Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of Buda Region

Vitéz Nob. Hubertus Szalachy de Nagytany et Zalacs
hubertus.szalachy@vitezi-rend.com


Hadnagy (Lieutenant) of Buda Region

Vitéz László Németh
laszlo.nemeth@vitezi-rend.com


2/b.
Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of Pest Region

Vitéz Nob. Márton Medveczky de Medvecze et Kisbisztercze
marton.medveczky@vitezi-rend.com


Hadnagy (Lieutenant) of Pest Region

Vitéz Nob. Miklós Bánó de Tapolylucska et Kükemező
miklos.bano@vitezi-rend.com


2/c.
Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of Duna-Csepel Region

Vitéz Margit Kótai
margit.kotai@vitezi-rend.com


Hadnagy (Lieutenant) of Duna-Csepel Region

Vitéz József Pintér
jozsef.pinter@vitezi-rend.com


2/d.
Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of Szeged Region

Vitéz Nob. János András Sándor de Gyergyóalfalu
janos.sandor@vitezi-rend.com


2/e.
Hadnagy (Lieutenant) of Palócföld Region

Vitéz Károly Barna


3.
Törzskapitány (Staff Captain) of East Hungary Region

Vitéz Baron Tamás Tunkel de Aschbrunn et Hohenstadt
tamas.tunkel@vitezi-rend.com


3/a.
Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of North-East Hungary Region

Vitéz Zoltán Molnár
zoltan.molnar@vitezi-rend.com


Hadnagy (Lieutenant) of North-East Hungary Region

Vitéz Bertalan Papp
bertalan.papp@vitezi-rend.com


Hadnagy (Lieutenant) of Szatmár Region

Vitéz István Fülöp
istvan.fulop@vitezi-rend.com


Hadnagy (Lieutenant) of Bereg Region

Dr. Vitéz Gyula Szűcs
gyula.szucs@vitezi-rend.com


3/b.
Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of South-East Hungary and Debrecen Region

Vitéz Nob. István Görgey de Görgő
istvan.gorgey@vitezi-rend.com


Hadnagy (Lieutenant) of Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok and Békés Region

Vitéz Lehel Székely
lehel.szekely@vitezi-rend.com


Hadnagy (Lieutenant) of South-East Hungary Region

Vitéz Nob. Géza Szentgyörgyi
geza.szentgyorgyi@vitezi-rend.com


4.
Törzskapitányság (Staff Captaincy) of Transylvania Region

Partium területi székkapitánya (Seat Captain of Partium Region)

Vitéz Attila Szakál
attila.szakal@vitezi-rend.com


5.
Törzskapitány (Staff Captain) of Burgenland and Austria Region

Vitéz Count Henrik Mihály Zichy de Zich et Vásonkeő


Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of Burgenland Region

Vitéz Othmar von Michl
othmar.michl@vitezi-rend.com


6.
Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of Kárpátalja Region

Vitéz Chev. László Báthory Cubik
laszlo.bathory-cubik@vitezi-rend.com


Hadnagy (Lieutenant) of Kárpátalja Region

Vitéz Antal Engli
antal.engli@vitezi-rend.com


7.
Törzskapitány (Staff Captain) of Tengermellék and Croatia Region

Dipl. jur. Vitéz Count Márió Festetics de Tolna
mario.festetics@vitezi-rend.com


8.
Törzskapitány (Staff Captain) of Felvidék and Czech and Moravian Republics Region

Vitéz Marquise Zita Borbála Pallavicini
zita.pallavicini@vitezi-rend.com


STAFF CAPTAINCY OF FOREIGN

Törzskapitány (Staff Captain) of Germany Region

HSH Vitéz Prinz Philipp Ernst zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Graf von Gleichen
philipp-ernst.hohenlohe@vitezi-rend.com


Hadnagy (Lieutenant) of Munich Region

Vitéz József Lang
jozsef.lang@vitezi-rend.com


Törzskapitány (Staff Captain) of Portugal Region

HRH Vitéz L’Infante Dom Duarte de Bragança, Duke of Bragança


Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of Portugal Region

Dr. Vitéz Nob. Don Carlos Evaristo
carlos.evaristo@vitezi-rend.com


Székkapitány (Seat Captain)

Prof. Dr. Vitéz Humberto Nuno de Oliveira


Hadnagy (Lieutenant)

João Pedro Antunes de Ascencao Teixeira
joao.pedro.teixeira@vitezi-rend.com


Hadnagy (Lieutenant) of Porto and Northern Portugal Region

Dr. Vitéz Filomena Maria de Castro Alves
filomena-maria.castro-alves@vitezi-rend.com


Staff Captaincy of the Kingdom of Spain Region

Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of Madrid and Castilia-La Mancha Region

Dr. Ing. Vitéz Don Manuel Ladrón de Guevara e Isasa
manuel.ladron@vitezi-rend.com


Törzskapitány (Staff Captain) of Italy Region

Dr. Vitéz Count Chev. Pier Felice degli Uberti


Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of Italy Region

Prof. Dr. Vitéz Cav. Gr. Uff. Guido Broich
guido.broich@vitezi-rend.com


Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of Malta and Gozo Region

Vitéz Nob. Chev. Marco Spiteri Binett
marco.spiteri-binett@vitezi-rend.com


Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of Switzerland Region

Vitéz Levente Hortobágyi
levente.hortobagyi@vitezi-rend.com


Törzskapitány (Staff Captain) of the Scandinavian Region

Vitéz Robert Winton, KCSG
robert.winton@vitezi-rend.com


Hadnagy (Lieutenant) of Stockholm Region

Vitéz Johan Huovinen
johan.huovinen@vitezi-rend.com


Hadnagy (Lieutenant) of Karlskrona Region

Vitéz Nilton Göransson
nilton.goransson@vitezi-rend.com


Hadnagy (Lieutenant) of Gothenburg Region

Vitéz Max Thimmig
max.thimmig@vitezi-rend.com


Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of Finland Region

Vitéz Antti-Jussi Räihä
antti-jussi.raiha@vitezi-rend.com


Hadnagy (Lieutenant) of Northern Finland Region

Vitéz Aatos Suvanto
aatos.suvanto@vitezi-rend.com


Hadnagy (Lieutenant) of Southern Finland Region

Vitéz Juhani Meilahti
juhani.meilahti@vitezi-rend.com


Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg Region

Dr. Vitéz Nob. Ferenc Szentgallay van Nie
ferenc.van.nie@vitezi-rend.com


Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of Russia Region

Vitéz Nob. Chev. György Palásthy de Palásth et Keszihócz
gyorgy.palasthy@vitezi-rend.com


Törzskapitány (Staff Captain) of the former territory of Rwanda

HM Vitéz Mwami Yuhi VI, Titular King of Rwanda


Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of South Africa Region

Vitéz Kristóf Szabó
kristof.szabo@vitezi-rend.com


Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of Florida Region

Vitéz Ildikó Varga
ildiko.varga@vitezi-rend.com


Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of Washington Region

Vitéz Jacob Madway Bressmann
jacob.madway.bressmann@vitezi-rend.com


Törzskapitány (Staff Captain) of South America Region

Dr. Vitéz György Szánthó
gyorgy.szantho@vitezi-rend.com


Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of Chile Region

Vitéz Eduardo Contreras Darvas
eduardo.contreras-darvas@vitezi-rend.com


Törzskapitányság (Staff Captaincy) of Australia and New Zealand Region

Törzskapitány (Staff captain) and Head of Treasury of Australia Region

Vitéz Nob. Mária Fekete de Galántha
maria.fekete@vitezi-rend.com


Emeritus Törzskapitány (Staff Captain) of Australia Region

Vitéz Lilla Kövesdy-Ámon
lilla.kovesdy-amon@vitezi-rend.com


Emeritus Székkapitány (Seat Captain)

Vitéz Sándor Vas
sandor.vas@vitezi-rend.com


Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of South Australia Region

Vitéz Ákos Nagy
akos.erdos-nagy@vitezi-rend.com


Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of New South Wales Region

Vitéz Brigitta Bene
brigitta.bene@vitezi-rend.com


Hadnagy (Lieutenant) of New South Wales Region

Vitéz Fiona Kovács
fiona.kovacs@vitezi-rend.com


Székkapitány (Seat Captain) of Victoria Region

Vacant


Hadnagy (Lieutenant) of Victoria Region

Vitéz Caroline Eileen Fazakas
caroline.fazakas@vitezi-rend.com

Contact

Contact details of officers

How to join?

Bank account:
Nordea Bank Sverige, Stockholm
Address of Bank: Hamngatan 10, 105 71 Stockholm, Sweden
Account number (when transferring from a Swedish bank account): 1955-4
IBAN: SE8795000099603400019554
SWIFT: NDEASESS
Recipient of the transfer: Vitézi Rend
Official address of Vitézi Rend: C/O Robert Winton, Jät Ållaryd 4, 362 52 Jät, Sweden

Payment can be made in EUR, HUF and SEK

Send message:


News

  • Ambassador’s presentation in Stockholm
  • Commemoration in Cologne Cathedral
  • Szatmárnémeti – II. Rákóczi Ferenc 350
  • The XVIII Hungarian Cultural Convention for Australian-New Zealand was held from December 28, 2025 to January 2, 2026, in Melbourne Australia
  • Commemoration of March 15 in Melbourne
  • Commemoration of March 15 in Csepel
  • The Architecture of Legitimacy: Sovereignty, Jura Maiestatis, and Fons Honorum
  • Memorial Mass at Matthias Church on the Anniversary of the Coronation of Blessed Charles IV as King of Hungary
  • Lo Storico Galà della Nobiltà 2025: Noble Heritage and New Horizons Converge in Casale Monferrato
  • Commemoration at the German-Hungarian Military Cemetery in Budaörs
  • We remembered our heroes on All Souls’ Day
  • Reformation Memorial Day in Mátészalka
  • National Commemoration in Cologne
  • 10th IASC World Changers Summit at the Vatican
  • Reception at the Consulate General of Hungary in Düsseldorf
  • Report on the pilgrimage to Aachen
  • Attendance of H.S.H. Vitéz Prince Philipp Ernst of Hohenlohe-Langenburg at the Reception of the Hungarian Embassy in Berlin
  • 105 Years of the Enduring Legacy of the Order of Vitéz: A Distinction Beyond Chivalry
  • Book Launch in Nagyvárad (Oradea)
  • Oak tree planting and memorial plaque inauguration in Nagyecsed
  • Invitation to the annual meeting of the Order of Vitéz in Germany
  • Invitation to the Autumn Reception and Talk, organized by the Vitéz Order
  • Major General Imre Reviczky was posthumously awarded the title of Vitéz
  • Assembly of the Seat captaincy of Partium Region
  • Invitation to Investiture of Vitéz in Debrecen
  • Staff Assembly in Szatmárnémeti (Satu Mare)
  • National Unity Day in Legénd
  • Investiture of Vitéz in Casale Monferrato
  • Memorial Walk for Vitéz Imre Csengeri in Vaja
  • The Order of Vitéz Participated in a Traditional Joy Archery Competition
  • We Stand by Our Staff Captain of Italian Region
  • Visit to Prague with Friends
  • Celebration of the 4th Annual Hungarian Heritage Festival in Washington, D.C.
  • In Memory of His Holiness Pope Francis I
  • My Easter Story
  • Blessed Easter Order of Vitéz!
  • Commemoration of March 15 in Melbourne
  • International “Alloro Di Dante” Award for Pierfelice degli Uberti
  • Germany and Hungary after the federal election – what’s next?
  • Commemoration of March 15 in Düsseldorf
  • Invitation to Legénd
  • Remembrance of the Victims of Communism
  • Visit to Aachen
  • Charity Concert in Cologne
  • Reception at the residence
  • All Saints’ Day at the Heroes’ Cemetery in Nyíregyháza
  • Determining the Genetic Past of the Hungarian People
  • The Remains of an Unknown Hungarian Honvéd (soldier) Exhumed in Balkány, Kenderes Farmstead
  • Remembrance of the Revolution
  • German Soldiers Fallen in WWII Reburied in Budaörs
  • The Great Success of il Gala della Nobiltà 2024: A Grand Celebration of Heritage and Tradition in Casale Monferrato
  • Vitézi Rend in Nagyecsed – “Szatmár Without Borders”
  • Care and Research of Heroic Graves in Hungary and Balkány
  • Péter Baumann’s Investiture of Vitéz
  • The book launch of Vitéz Attila Bánó
  • Investiture of Vitéz in Gödöllő
  • State award of Vitéz Josef Karl von Habsburg-Lothringen, Archduke of Austria, Royal Prince of Hungary
  • Vitézi Rend’s signet ring in gold
  • The two staff captains of the Order of Vitéz on the Présház portal
  • Invitation to Legénd
  • English language article about our Order on The Investiture website
  • Blessed Easter Order of Vitéz!
  • Our Captain General’s statement on hate speech
  • Farewell to Vitéz Sándor István Sebestyén, Seat Captain of Northeast Hungary Region
  • Time to pay the annual contribution for 2024
  • Long live Frederik X, King of Denmark!
  • Memorial mass of our last king in the Matthias Church
  • Christmas Greetings
  • The Vitéz oath and slander
  • 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic
  • Commemorating the 1956 revolution
  • Commemoration of Arad Martyrs in Törökszentmiklós
  • Visit in Buenos Aires
  • Ceremony of Investiture in Máriapócs
  • Marriage of Archduke Joseph Albrecht
  • Invitation to statue inauguration
  • Invitation to Investiture of Vitéz – Máriapócs, September 2, 2023
  • The time has come for a fair assessment of Miklós Horthy
  • Investiture of Vitéz in Stockholm
  • What would Horthy say about the dreadlocked vitéz? Will there finally be order?
  • National Togetherness Day in Legénd
  • Wreath-laying in the Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Cologne
  • Investiture of Vitéz in Casale Monferrato
  • The Order of Vitéz in Muravidék – once and today
  • Invitation to Legénd
  • Relic of St. Therese of Lisieux in Cologne
  • „Andrássy 200”
  • The memory of Vitéz István Kovács
  • Commemoration in the village of Skaricevo, Croatia
  • Invitation from the National Heritage Institute
  • Újlaki Bocskai suits at a discount
  • Ágnes Vadai also stumbled upon the Order of Vitéz
  • Article from the archives of Magyar Hírlap – One hundred years ago the Order of Vitéz was founded
  • A discussion about the orders of knights and the Order of Vitéz
  • The Order of Vitéz does not want to completely erase the past
  • Christmas Greetings from the Captain General
  • Church consecration in Vizslás
  • Annual commemoration and luncheon of the Victorian branch
  • Invitation to the Christmas charity event of the Hungarian Parliamentary Prayer Group Foundation
  • It is time to review the 1947 law abolishing the Order of Vitéz – article in Magyar Nemzet

A brief history of the Order of Vitéz

Author: Historian Seat Captain Vitez Attila Bánó de Tapolylucska et Kükemező

In 1928, in the preface to the large volume titled A magyar nemzet hadtörténelme (A military history of the Hungarian nation), Royal Prince and Field Marshal Vitez Joseph August of Habsburg-Lorraine wrote, “In most cases, the past is but a mirror of the future which gives a clear picture of how to avoid big troubles and how serve a better future. Let us learn from this work, and let us not be disheartened, because the strong Hungarian spirit is is still alive.”

When talking about “the strong Hungarian spirit”, the Field Marshal (a descendant of the Hungarian or Palatine branch of the House of Habsburg, who, after the death of Vitez Miklós Horthy of Nagybánya in 1957 became the second Captain General of the Order of Vitez) referred to the heroic spirit that determined Hungary’s entire military history. Unfortunately, World War I, which brought unprecedented destruction, offered many opportunities for the Hungarians to prove their bravery. Hungarian soldiers proved themselves in inhumane conditions, often lacking adequate equipment. It is no coincidence that after the war Governor Horthy, himself a war hero, felt obliged to recognise their deeds.

The idea of establishing the Order of Vitez was related to the fact that Hungarian kings had traditionally recognised heroic deeds with the award of nobility and land, but after 1918, given that Hungary had no king, the opportunity of awarding nobility no longer existed. Above all, the Order of Vitez was established (1920) to fill in this gap and, obviously, to preserve the spirituality which had enabled Hungarians to defend their homeland since ancient times.

The National Seat of Vitez, chaired by Governor Miklós Horthy, held its first meeting on 25 September 1920, in the Matthias Hall of the Royal Castle of Buda. On the same day, the governor signed the appointment of the members the Seat of Vitez. The document was countersigned by Prime Minister Count Pál Teleki. The governor’s “highest-level document” designated the officers of the Seat of Vitez and made references to their duties and obligations. Szilárd Tátrai, in his study A Vitézi Rend első évtizedének története (A history of the first decade of the Order of Vitez) published in Hadtörténelmi közlemények (Journal of Military History) (Vol. 110, No. 1, 1997) quoted the document as follows, “In response to the submission of the Hungarian Prime Minister, I hereby appoint Lieutenant General and Royal Minister of Defence István Sréter of Szanda, Lieutenant General Baron Pál Nagy, retired General of Army Staff Tihamér Siménfalvy of Semjénfalva, Lieutenant Colonel Kálmán Bánó of Tapolylucska and Kükemező, Major Márton Lipcsey of Bilke, off-duty Major of Army Staff Gyula Toókos of Sepsibaczon, Major of Guards Géza Igmándy Hegyessy and Captain First Aide-de-camp László Magasházy members of the Budapest-based Seat of Vitez.”

Afterwards, the Seat of Vitez as a body elaborated the guidelines and regulations needed for launching its operation. On October 7, the office organisation of the Headquarters of the Order was established.

As László Négyessy wrote in his study A Vitézi Rendről (On the Order of Vitez) (Attila József University, Faculty of Humanities, Szeged, 1974), “On 25 November 1920, [the Order] adopted a decision on the introduction of a badge of the Order of Vitez. On the same meeting, the governor solemnly proclaimed the Rules of the Order of Vitez. […] On the meeting of 11 December 1920, Lieutenant Colonel Gyula Toókos was commissioned with the elaboration of the investiture ceremony. On the same meeting, the participants decided that the National Seat of Vitez would publish a call for tenders for the design of the Vitez badge. On 16 December 1920, the general public was informed on the application for Vitez plots of land in the call published by the Seat of Vitez. […] ”

The first private investiture ceremony took place on 22 May 1921, in the Royal Castle Chapel of Buda. As Helga Angelovics says in her study Vitéz avatások a két világháború között 1921–1938 (Investitures of the Vitez between the two World Aars, 1921–1938) in Első Század (First century) (Vol. XIII, No. 1, Spring 2014), “Prior to the investiture ceremony, the governor gave an audience to the first twenty-four Vitez, holders of the gold badge who had been award a plot of land and participated in the private ceremony, but had not yet been instituted. […] To the right of the governor, a bodyguard stood with the flag of the national army. To his left, military chaplain János Gyarmathy read the oath. The Staff Captains [the eight members of the Seat of Vitez as listed above] lined up in front of the altar and, raising their hands in oath, repeated the oath. […] After that, the Deputy Staff Captain of the Vitez delivered a short speech, and pinned the badge of the Vitez to the chest of Vitez Miklós Horthy of Nagybánya.

Afterwards, the Staff Captains presented themselves, and the governor awarded them with the badge. […]”

Captain Generals of the Order of Vitez:
Vitez Miklós Horthy de Nagybánya, Governor (1920−1957)
Royal Prince Vitez Joseph August of Habsburg-Lorraine (1957−1962)
General Vitez Ferenc Farkas de Kisbarnak (1962−1977)
Royal Prince Vitez Joseph Árpád of Habsburg-Lorraine (1977−2017)
Royal Prince Vitez Joseph Karl of Habsburg-Lorraine (2017−)

Deputy Staff Captains:
General Vitez Antal Hellebronth (1927−1944)
Lieutenant General Vitez Géza Igmándy-Hegyessy (1944−1945)
General Vitez Hugó Sónyi (1956−1958)
Royal Prince Vitez Joseph Árpád of Habsburg-Lorraine (? −1977)
Vitez Dr. Ádám Berniczei-Roykó (2020−)

Executive Staff Captains:
In the Horthy era, three followed each other in this position:
Vitéz Kálmán Bánó de Tapolylucska et Kükemező (1920−1921)
Vitéz Géza Igmándy-Hegyessy (1921−1944)
Vitéz Pál Pongrácz de Szentmiklós et Óvár (1944−1945)
After the change of regime in 1990:
Vitez Antal Radnóczy (1993−2003)
Vitez József Ajtós (2004−2007)
Vitez József Tassányi (2007−2018)
Vitez Csaba Horváth (2019−2020)
Vitez Dr. Ádám Berniczei-Roykó (2020−)

National Staff Captains:
Vitez István Tabódy (1993−1997)
Vitez Antal Radnóczy (1993−2003)
Vitez Ervin Sándor (2004−2007)
Vitez László Vad (2007−2008)
Vitez József Csizmadia (2008−2012)
Vitez Csaba Horváth (2012−2019)
Vitez Dr. Ádám Berniczei-Roykó (2019−)

By the 1940s, the number of officers and troops of the Order of Vitez (whose ratio was about one-third to two-thirds) had exceeded 15,000, and that of candidates 8,000. After World War II, in 1948, the communist regime terminated the operation of the Order of Vitez, but those who emigrated to the West made attempts to keep the Order alive. It was Hugó Sónyi, former General residing in West Germany, who initiated the reorganisation of the Order abroad.

In 1962, Royal Prince Vitez Joseph August, the second Captain General of the Order, obtained the recognition of the International Commission for Orders of Chivalry (I.C.O.C.) for the Order of Vitez. There has been an unfortunate episode in the recent history of the Order. In 2003, some leaders confronted Chief Captain Joseph Árpád and established two breakaway organizations, the associations of János Molnár-Gazsó and Vitez László Hunyadi. Both use the name “The Order of Vitez”.

As far as this event is concerned, it is to be mentioned that in the era of Captain General Miklós Horthy, it would have been inconceivable for the Order of Vitez to replace its chief leader. The replacement of the Captain General in 2003 caused a shock which could have been avoided, and, if it indeed had been avoided, the well-established organisation of the Order of Vitez would now form a single unit.

The ICOC recognises only the Order which is connected to Joseph Árpád (grandson of Joseph August) and which operates under General Captain Royal Prince Vitez Joseph Karl of Habsburg-Lorraine as the “Order of Vitez”. Due to the fact that different entities use the same name, many find orientation difficult. Yet the Order of Vitez is very much alive, evolving and, hopefully, has a great future.


The Order of Vitéz is a Military Order based on christian confession and encouraging a life with the highest ethical values.

Our founder, admiral vitéz Miklós Horthy de Nagybánya
1st Captain General


Royal Prince Vitez Joseph August of Habsburg-Lorraine
2nd Captain General


Vitéz Ferenc Farkas de Kisbarnak
3rd Captain General


Royal Prince Vitez Joseph Árpád of Habsburg-Lorraine
4th Captain General


Royal Prince Vitez Joseph Karl of Habsburg-Lorraine
5th Captain General

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