The Identity of Chivalric Orders in Contemporary Europe. A Case Study of the Sovereign Templar Order of Saint Martin

Abstract

This study explores the processes through which contemporary chivalric orders in Europe reconstruct and project their institutional identity at the intersection of historical legacy, symbolic continuity, and modern forms of cultural diplomacy. Using the Sovereign Templar Order of Saint Martin (OSTSM) as a case study, the article analyses how a neo-chivalric organization articulates Christian ethics, philanthropic action, and intercultural engagement within a framework of symbolic legitimacy and civic responsibility. The research follows a qualitative, interpretative-constructivist approach, combining historical, theological, legal, and institutional analysis, supported by SWOT and case study methods. The findings indicate that, despite the absence of medieval juridical continuity, contemporary chivalric organizations derive their public legitimacy from symbolic capital, social action, and ethical coherence, allowing them to function as relevant actors of cultural-philanthropic and moral soft power in today’s Europe.