Pilgrimage for Peace 2012-2013
The JOURNEY
In the winter of 2012/13 Jörgen walked on a pilgrimage which became a manifestation for peace and against xenophobia.
That was his initiative to counter the political winds in Europe at the time. Along a long way through the coldest winter in many years Jörgen
met a lot of people which led to expression:
”Strangers are friends I have not yet got to know”.
During PfP Jörgen walked a daily distance of around 25-35 kilometers depending on how strong he felt, the next stop for the night, weather etc.
• Manifestation for peace against xenophobia
• Between November 2012 and May 2013
• From Lund in Sweden to Jerusalem
• 158 days
• 104 nights with Couchsurfing hosts
• 5.423 kilometres
• 3.9 million steps
The DESTINATION
For the first PfP I chose Jerusalem as the final destination. There were several reasons for that. Firstly, The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem moved back to its origin in 2012, after some 700 years in exile in France.
Most importantly however, Jerusalem in all its glory and history, serve as a very good symbol of both conflict and peace. The Holy City is holy to all three of the Abrahamic religions, which has caused tensions for two millenia, but there has been periods of peace and prosperity and I think that is an example to follow and learn from.
We are human beings, with all the flaws and strengths that comes with that. Jerusalem is a mirror image of us. When we want to, we can make glorious things, just as glorious as Jerusalem itself!
The PATRONAGE
Jörgen is a member of the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. The order was founded in 1098 in Jerusalem and has managed to survive through the centuries. Back in the days, all were welcome to the hospitals managed by the Order. Skincolour and religious belief was of no consequence, all were treated equally. Today the Order is involved in humanitarian aid all around the world and the same virtues are still present. The Swedish Grand Priory is a great contributor to two different medical clinics and a school in Africa.
The return to the roots of the Order
”The Order of Saint Lazarus in our time has come home to Jerusalem, where the Church was founded at Pentecost following Our Lord’s Resurrection and Ascension in glory, and has restored its magistral seat to the city where it too began. We return not as crusaders but as servants of Our Lord, going beyond man-made boundaries, as he did, to care for the poor and the sick of any race or creed. For the duty of a knight is to protect what is sacred – not only the holy places but the living stones which make up the Body of Christ.” – Quote from the Jerusalem Declaration 2012
The Order returned to The Holy Land this year. After several hundreds of years they are now finally back to the place of the Order’s origin. Celabrating this is a part of Pilgrimage for Peace – Towards Jerusalem. Jörgen chose to walk under the colours of his Order because he felt that, both the Christian way which they cherish and the contemporary work that they do, suits this cause very well.
You can visit both the Swedish Grand Priorys webpage as well as the international webpage with the links below. There you can read more about the works that’s being done globally.
