On Saturday 28 February 2026, the historic Lazzaretto (a place of which today only a small church and a piece of wall near Porta Venezia remain) on Via San Gregorio in Milan played host to a notable act of charity. A delegation of Dames and Knights from the Grand Priory of Italy gathered for a special ceremony in Milan to deliver humanitarian aid to those in need.
For the Order of Saint Lazarus, whose historic mission has always been to care for the suffering, the Lazzaretto is a true “spiritual home”. In past centuries, it served as a bulwark against plagues.
Today, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Dames and Knights of the Grand Priory of Italy, it stands as a symbol of the fight against modern 'plagues': isolation, indifference towards others and extreme poverty.
The delegation was led by the Grand Prior of Italy, H.E. General Basilio Viola GCLJ. As the organiser of the aid campaign, H.E. Archbishop Avondios of the Orthodox Church, Metropolis of Aquileia, received essential supplies of food and clothing. These will be distributed through a network of volunteers in the suburbs and downtown Milan, and in Ukraine through humanitarian missions where possible.
The day once again demonstrated the ecumenical spirit and Christian values that inspire the Order of Saint Lazarus and its members.