Dear Nobles, Dames, Knights, Benefactors of the Monarchical Chapter, Ladies-in-Waiting, and Squires,

I am writing you today on behalf of His Royal Highness Prince Rafael our Prince Grand Master, and the senior leadership of The Royal House of Cappadocia and San Bartolomeo, and in particular, our Royal Order as noted above.

We all realize, our world – as we knew it – has been turned upside down for almost two years!  Hopefully, we are nearing the end of this horrific period.

While I have spoken with a number of our members on the telephone or via email during this period, obviously I have been unable to connect with each of you.  I apologize. 

To prevent that from occurring again, please update your records on this website, or we would greatly appreciate it if you would – on receipt – simply respond to this email with your full name, mailing address, and telephone number.  Your email address will automatically appear on your message. We will update your record with that information and make sure that you are advised of changes in our structure as well as receive invitations to upcoming Royal Order events and initiatives around the world.  

The last event that we, as a Royal Order had, was our 2020 Annual General Meeting and the Investiture of Knights and Dames and was held late last February 2020 in Honolulu, Hawaii. 

A number of us attended and participated in the exciting several-day program coordinated by Duke and Duchess Consort Gerhart and Dr. Nancy Walch.  H.R.H. Prince Rafael traveled from Spain. H.G. Duke Michael and Duchess Consort Linda traveled from Florida, H.E. Sir Laurent Khayat, Grand Prior, Lady Chloe, DC, Vice Grand Prior of Japan, and Sir John and Lady Shin from California and many more arrived to participate at the Annual General Meeting of the Royal Order, the Investiture of Knights and Dames, and of course to enjoy the 2020 Royal Ball held on February 27, 2020, just in the nick of time before the COVID pandemic hit Hawai'i's shores like a Tsunami. 

The delegation of the Royal House of Cappadocia was met by members of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, acting as Honor Guard. 

H.E. Sir Gregory Pentecost, KGC, Grand Prior of Hawaii, served as the Grand Chancellor during the Investiture ceremonies, assisted by Members of the Royal Order of King Kamehameha I  performing a beautiful Hawaiian Prayer,  held at the Basilica of Saint Andrews with its rich Royal history.

H.R.H. Prince Rafael was greeted by the Leader of the Basilica, Rev. Dr. Randolph and Duchess Dr. Nancy Atmospera-Walch.

Lady Arlene Shin, H.R.H. Prince Rafael with H.E. Sir John Shin, Grand Prior of the United States. Both Lady Arlene and Sir John are Members of the Royal Court.

H.E. Sir Laurent Khayat, KGC, Grand Prior of Japan and Lady Chloe, DC, Vice Grand Prior of Japan

Chief Ali'i Bill Souza of The Royal Order of Kamehameha I, King of Hawaii discusses Protocol with H.R.H. Prince Rafael

Lady Debra Sue Leluan - Knighted,   Honor Category: Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy

Sir Sidney Leluan III,  Advisor to the SecState & Minister of the Interior        Knighted, Honor Category: Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy

Sir Dr. Lawrence Kum Wing Tseu:     Honor Category: Education (Medicine Oxford University) and Philanthropy

Sir Steven Ryan Lieberman, who served as our Travel, Coordinator            Honor Category: Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy Sir Dustin Thomas Verity, General Grand Silvermaster.                                 Knighted - Honor Category: Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy

Lady Alice Verity                                                                                    Knighted - Honor Category: Entrepreneurship and  Philanthropy  

Sir Eng. Anacleto "Lito" Alcantra                                                               Knighted - Honor Category: Entrepreneurship and  Philanthropy  

Duchess Dr. Nancy chaired the Royal Ball 2020, held on February 27, 2020 at the Hilton Hawaiian Resort in Waikiki, assisted by her many angels in the Healthcare community. About 250 guests filled every available seat,  including leaders from the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, the State of Hawaii, the Most Eminent Grand Master and General Grand Officers of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar and numerous other Dignitaries.

Monsignor Thaddeus Farinas Mercado who served on the personal staff of Benedict XVI before and after he became the Pope, presented a memorable invocation and blessed the auspicious occasion. It is noteworthy to mention, he hailed from Vigan, Philippines, where Duchess Dr. Nancy was born. Our dual Masters of Ceremonies assured that the event met and exceeded all expectations.

All guest were greeted by a Knight in shining armor at the beautiful soothing sounds of of Harp Music.

No Grand Ball would be without a Grand Entrance, in this picture Duke Michael and Duchess Consort Linda Teilmann.

H.E. Sir Laurent Khayat, Grand Prior and Lady Chloe, Dame Commander, preceded by Lady Debra and Sir Sidney (Sid) Leluan. 

Sir Sid wearing the Uniform as a Department Commander of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, followed by Sir Dustin Verity, the General Grand Silvermaster of the Order.

During the 2020 Royal Ball, Proclamations from the State of Hawaii House of Representatives were presented to the Royal House, the Royal Order and the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, honoring the Humanitarian efforts of these ancient organizations and its impact in Hawaii and around the world. These Proclamations were presented by Hon. John Mizuno, Chair of the Department of Health and Human Services Committee of the House of Representatives of the State of Hawaii

Celebrity performers included International Song Artist. Kristian Lei who played the lead role of Kim in the Cameron Mackintosh Production of Miss Saigon in Stuttgart, Germany and Hong Kong, at the age of 19, and numerous other talents including Int'l. Recording Artist Angeli Callo. 

Other surprise guests, none were pre-announced, included International Ballroom Dance Champions Lucas Jaime and Yanna Samkova and members of the well-known Hawaii Dance Sport Center, Government and Business leaders and of course many, many healthcare professionals. One comment Duke Gerhart made was: "This is the safest place in town tonight!" How true it became.

To everyone's surprise, Duke Gerhart of Styria of Cappadocia, Secretary of State & Minister of the Interior of the Royal House of Cappadocia and its Chivalric Orders, with his beautiful dance partner Yanna Samkova opened the Royal Ball 2020 with a graceful and truly regal Waltz.

Followed by a breath-taking beautiful classical dance performance of Yanna with her husband Lucas.

We wish to congratulate the Grand Priory of Hawaii and its Grand Officers for preparing this wonderful event and thereby creating awareness for our Charity. the "Royal Homes for Women & Children" in need. All Homes will be under the protection of the Royal House and its three Orders of Chivalry, symbolized by an ancient Shield.  A shield with the engraved names of the major Sponsors and Benefactors will be placed at the entrance of each Royal Home for Women & Children.  Our efforts and their generosity will allow us to implement these Beacons of Hope for those who are abused, neglected, or can't help themselves as our sole Charity, and serve as the main purpose wherever a Grand Priory operates.

H.E. Gregory Pentecost, KGC. Grand Prior of Hawaii.

Sir James Boersema (Col. US. Army ret.), Grand Vice Prior of the Grand Priory of Hawaii and George Pascual, Vice President of First Hawaiian Bank, with friend Kenneth Bauchle.

From right to left, Sir Dr. Arnold Villafuerte, Grand Chancellor of the Grand Priory of Hawaii with Sir Lito Alcantra, Paul Alimbuyao, Vice President of First Hawaiian Bank and the Commander of the Knights of Rizal Hawaii Chapter, Sir Jerry Felicitas.

Sir Dr. Lawrence Tseu with a beautiful ladyfriend.

One of the highlights was the presentation of the Royal Decrees of Knight- and Damehood with the engraved Swords.

And in accordance to Royal Protocol, H.R.H. Prince Rafael shared wisdom and comments "the last words" prior to closing the formal part, and open the Ball Room for a dance party lasting past midnight.

Other highlights of the Investiture and the 2020 Royal Ball can be found on  the Royal House's Event Gallery:  https://www.principalityofcappadocia.org/event/

However this did not end the 1-week General Grand Meeting program, which also included a private, guided tour of the Iolani Palace, the only Royal Palace in the United States and the USS Arizona Memorial were just some of the special events.

On February 27, 2021, Duke Gerhart, Secretary of State, and as Personal Representatives of Prince Rafael, assisted by Duchess Dr. Nancy, officiated the formal investiture of our decade-long Sir Gregory Pentecost's promotion to Knight Grand Cross (KCR), and subsequently installed the Grand Officers of the reconstituted Grand Priory of Hawaii, Inc., with H.E. Sir Gregory Pentecost to the highest station, that of Grand Prior. He was presented with the appropriate Grand Cross, the Royal House's Signet Ring for Grand Priors, and the traditional Royal Order Cape with gold trimming. A Royal Decree issued by the Royal House signed and sealed by H.R.H. Prince Rafael was read and presented to him that attested to his promotion, his election, and his new important assignment and station. 

H.G. Duke Gerhart presenting signs of authority, consisting of the gold trimmed Grand Prior's Cape, the Signet, the Royal Decrees and  Charter Documents for the newly reconstituted Grand Priory of Hawaii.

Additional Photos and a news release appeared in the NEWS section during that month. Please scroll to the date.

On April 29, 2021, Duchess Consort Linda, the International Grand Dame of our Royal Order, and I were appointed to represent Prince Rafael and officiated at the formal Investiture of our decade-long Knight Bishop Sir Thomas Mount’s promotion to Knight Grand Cross and appointment as General Grand Prelate of our Royal Order.  A Royal Decree issued by the Royal House signed and sealed by H.R.H. Prince Rafael was read and presented to him that attested to his promotion and his new important assignment and station. The full-dress event (with a size-limited audience) was conducted at Saint Peter’s Anglican Cathedral in Tallahassee, Florida.  The 

Again, photos and a news release appear in the NEWS section during that month. Just scroll down.

Although we certainly need funds for our primary dedicated project the “Royal Homes for Women & Children” (see details on our website), as we have had no Investitures, Banquets, Receptions, Galas, or even official meetings since the beginning of the pandemic, we have discussed reducing the Membership Dues for this past year.  We so very much appreciate your continuing interest in our Royal Order and leave this decision at your discretion and ability.  All Annual Dues, unless noted otherwise for Royal Order Year beginning July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, become due on June 30, 2021. For Dues Payment

By the statement “no meetings”, does not mean that special committees have not been working diligently on our organizational structure, the Initiatives described on the Royal House's website:  https://www.principalityofcappadocia.org/Initiatives/ include planning our future events, reconstituting existing and constituting new Grand Priories, primary charitable focus, web presence, social platforms, uniforms, rank advancement (Knight/Dame, promotion to Knight or Dame Commander, Knight/Dame Grand Cross, Knight/Dame Grand Collar) opportunities for advancement to Noble Titles through the contribution of Time, Talent and/or Treasure to the Royal Household/Royal Order and much more. 

We developed a new membership category – that of the Monarchical Chapter “Member/Benefactor”. This “basic step into our Order of Chivalry” has already started to bring in men and women interested in becoming Dames and Knights with us!  To be a Member/Benefactor is now a requisite step in attaining knight-, damehood and voting membership in The Royal Order of Saint Constantine the Great and Saint Helen.

Only Knights, Dames, or Nobles of The Royal Order can present through the Grand Prior of their jurisdiction a nomination for knight-, or dame-hood to the Royal House of Cappadocia for consideration, which may or may not been granted. When granted, the Grand Priory will invite the Nominee to the next Investiture Event.

While our Committees already have regular "Virtual/Zoom Meetings, we plan to expand these “virtual” quarterly meetings so that each Knight, Dame, or Member will have the opportunity to participate in decisions for our Royal Order. 

Please utilize the improved website: https://myroyalorder.org/   Registration is easy and you will then have access to many features and update news of importance to Knights, Dames, and Members of our Royal Order.  We are also planning a section devoted to high-quality Order-related merchandise for Dames and Knights.

I can only imagine how busy each of you is.  We hope that you will be interested in participating in the leadership of our “Knightly Renaissance.” We need your skills and a small amount of your time.  By participating, you will not only learn more about the Order, meet and work with other Knights and Dames from your local area, and contribute your visions of the ancient art of chivalry to the benefit of society.

Yours in Chivalry,

Michael Spencer Teilmann, KGCI

Duke of Aswan of Cappadocia,  Deputy Grand Master