MEMBERSHIP Membership is by invitation upon sponsorship of an existing hereditary or regular member. For hereditary membership, the sponsor must be a member of that category. Under the current policy, after sponsorship and approval, individual membership in each category is for life, with a one-time offering to the Church of USD 500. The offering has been adjusted to reflect the enduring patrimonial responsibility of membership. This formal canonical affiliation within the Nobility Association is recorded in perpetuity within the registers of the Holy Apostolic See.  Members may also join at special Benefactor Levels: Note: Canonical status is determined solely by eligibility. Membership offering accompanies enrollment. Benefactor designations are voluntary and do not affect canonical rank. Honours and benefactions remain distinct. Patrimonial Steward Voluntary benefaction beginning at USD2,500 For those who wish to assist in preserving the Apostolic, cultural, and historical patrimony of the Church beyond the canonical membership offering. Custodian of the Patrimony of the Holy Apostolic See Voluntary benefaction beginning at USD10,000 The Custodians of the Patrimony are those whose benefaction contributes to the long-term stability and preservation of the Holy Apostolic See’s sacred, liturgical, and historical mission. This level of donation is endowment-level support helping to maintain long-term institutional work and safeguarding our heritage for future generations. Other Benefactor Opportunities: Provision exists within the Association for those who wish to undertake substantial patronage of the Church’s patrimony. This designation does not alter canonical category of membership. The canonical categories of membership are as follows: Hereditary Membership 1. Holders of hereditary titles of nobility (including the status of noble or untitled nobility) associated with the historic territories of the modern Pontifical Imperial State of Rome-Ruthenia (United Roman-Ruthenian Church) - in particular of the Roman State, historic Russian lands, Slavic states, states of the Holy Roman Empire, Italy, France, Spain, North Africa, the Levant, and the New World, as well as of the incorporated states and houses of the Pontifical Imperial State; and members of the immediate family of such families according to the nobility laws of the Church. 2. Knights and Dames of the Aquiline Order of Christ. 3. Bailiffs of the Pontifical Order of the Eagle. 4. Noble Companions of the Noble Company of St. Mary of Walsingham. Regular Membership 1. Holders of life titles of nobility associated with the historic territories of the modern Pontifical Imperial State and of the incorporated states and houses of the Pontifical Imperial State. 2. Recipients of the Religious and Dynastic Orders of Chivalry of the Pontifical Imperial State of Rome-Ruthenia (United Roman-Ruthenian Church) and from states and houses associated with the historic territories of the modern Pontifical Imperial State; and of the incorporated states and houses of the Pontifical Imperial State. 3. Knights Bachelor of Yugoslavia 4. Nobles of the Nobile Anticamera Segreta and higher officers within the Pontifical Court. 5. Serving Companions of the Noble Company of St. Mary of Walsingham. Associate Membership 1. Proven descendants of hereditary or regular members (or of those who would have been eligible for hereditary or regular membership). 2. General Officers, Admirals, Colonels, and Naval Captains of the Pontifical Walsingham Guard. 3. Members of the Pontifical Court at the grade of Private Chaplain or Private Chaplain of Honour and lower. 4. Recipients of the Julian Cross, St. Stephen Cross, and the Patriarchal Service Cross.  5. Clergy of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church and other Apostolic churches. Membership is at the sole discretion of the nominating committee. [Main Page]   DISCLAIMER, LEGAL, AND COPYRIGHT NOTICES