The Order's Spiritual Protector, His Beatitude Gregorios III, Melkite Patriarch of Antioch, will take part in the Service. Bishop Raymond Field, Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin, will represent Cardinal Connell. Following the service in Christ Church Cathedral there will be a State reception in Dublin Castle.

A frequent visitor to Ireland this will be Dr Williams’ first Irish visit since his appointment to Canterbury. A distinguished spiritual thinker and preacher, he succeeds Dr George Carey who retires at the end of October.

An outstanding scholar of the Anglican Communion and the first non-English appointment to Canterbury since before the Reformation Dr Williams is reputed to speak seven languages including Welsh and Russian.

A native of Wales, Dr Williams was born in Swansea in 1950 and is currently Archbishop of Wales and Bishop of Monmouth.

The Military & Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem dates from the 11th century and has a long and chequered history.