For educational purposes, we reproduce below the article on the Order of the Crown of Thorns and the Abbey-Principality of San Luigi that was published in the encyclopedia “Ordini Cavallereschi: Storia e Decorazioni” (Chivalric Orders: History and Insignia) by Vincenzo Privitera (Centro Culturale Siciliano – Trinacria, 1982). The work is dedicated to Pope John Paul II.

It remains only to add that the account by Privitera, though generally accurate, has a couple of discrepancies as to dates: it was in 1892 that the Syrian Patriarch appointed Prince-Abbot Joseph III as Grand Master of the Order of the Crown of Thorns, not 1882; and Prince-Abbot Edmond II succeeded his predecessor in 1961, not 1966. It will be seen that the insignia of the Order in use under Edmond II are illustrated.

An amplified version of the history of the Abbey-Principality in the English language will be found at these pages:

>>History part 1
>>History part 2