Orden Khrestonistsiv (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")

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.

Structure and organization

The Orden consists of:

  • The 5th Kurin of "starshi plastuny" (Older Scouts) and
  • The 20th Kurin of "plastuny seniory" (Senior Scouts).
At formal gatherings, all members are aligned according to rank and, within rank, in the order of their knighthood or entry into the Orden.

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.

Slogan

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

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.

Core principles

The five core principles of the Orden are:

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