Presentation of the New Vow of Charity of the Knights of the Third Millennium of the Order of Saint Stephen Pope and Martyr
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
It is with great honor that we present to you the new commitment that characterizes the Knights of the Third Millennium of the Order of Saint Stephen Pope and Martyr, awarded by the Grand Duke of Tuscany and Grand Master, His Royal Highness Ottaviano de’ Medici of Tuscany. In the wake of tradition and with an eye to the future, today’s Knights embrace a new vow of charity, extending their dedication not only to others, but also to nature itself.
The New Vow of Charity: Helping Our Neighbors and Nature
Today, charity, the founding value of the Order of the Knights of St. Stephen, takes on a new and broader dimension. The vow of charity of the Knights of the Third Millennium does not only concern aid and support for people in difficulty, but extends to nature, our common home, which increasingly needs protection and care. This commitment is summed up in a key concept: “helping others and nature, in need of help and protection”.
We live in an era in which the environment and biodiversity are threatened by climate change and the erosion of natural ecosystems. For this reason, the Knights are promoting concrete action to defend not only humanity, but also the natural heritage that surrounds us.
The Mission Entrusted by the Grand Duke of Tuscany
His Royal Highness Ottaviano de’ Medici of Tuscany, Grand Master of the Order, has entrusted the Knights of the Third Millennium with a mission of great social and environmental value. This mission consists of carrying out free consultancy and assistance activities for the municipal administrations of the Borghi Umanistici Medicei.
These villages, custodians of an invaluable historical and cultural heritage, represent a heritage that must be protected not only in its architectural and cultural dimension, but also in its ecological one. The Knights therefore place themselves at the service of local communities to help them implement the best practices for the protection of biodiversity and the fight against climate change.
Volunteer Environmental Guard Activities
In addition to consultancy, the Knights also take on the role of Volunteer Environmental Guards, overseeing the protection of the ecosystems of the Medici Villages. Their actions include the promotion of:
- Reforestation and green area protection projects,
- Monitoring of animal and plant species at risk,
- Support for sustainable agriculture and the circular economy,
- Raising awareness among the local population towards eco-friendly practices.
These projects, which the Knights support and promote, are aimed at putting into practice the guidelines for the protection of biodiversity and the prevention of climate change, offering municipal administrations the necessary support to develop concrete initiatives.
A Commitment to the Future
The Knights of the Third Millennium of the Order of Saint Stephen are thus called to embody the value of universal charity, which today embraces not only people, but also the planet. With their free and voluntary commitment, they will help ensure a better future for generations to come, preserving the harmony between man and nature.
We thank the Grand Duke of Tuscany, His Royal Highness Ottaviano de’ Medici, for entrusting us with this important task, and we invite all the administrations of the Borghi Umanistici Medicei and the local communities to collaborate with us in this mission of environmental protection and regeneration.
Thank you all for your attention and participation.
With warmest regards,
The Grand Chancellor of the Order of Saint Stephen P.M.
[Florence]
********
Applications for Volunteer Environmental Guard
For information on how to become a Volunteer Environmental Guard and receive the title of Knight Servant of the Order of Santo Stefano, write an email attaching your CV to:
Grand Priory of Florence of the Order of Saint Stephen Pope and Martyr
- Email: info@de-medici.com
- Telephone: 055-3241115
- Address: General Secretariat, Viale Belfiore 10, 50144, Florence (FI)
Requests for advice or assistance
For information on the mission of the Knights or to make an appointment, the Municipal Administrations of the interested Borghi Umanistici Medicei can send a request through the following channels: