Welcome to the Sovereign Military Order of Christ the King (SMOCK)
“For Christ our King we live, we serve, and if need be, we die.”
The Sovereign Military Order of Christ the King is an Orthodox Christian chivalric and religious Order dedicated to the defense of the Faith, the service of the Church, and the sanctification of its members through disciplined spiritual and moral formation.
Founded upon ancient chivalric ideals and governed by a monastic spirit of obedience and prayer, the Order stands as a modern expression of the ancient Christian knighthood, blending devotion, service, and fraternity under the patronage of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of Kings.
About the Order
The Sovereign Military Order of Christ the King (SMOCK) is both a religious confraternity and a military order of knighthood within the Orthodox Catholic tradition.
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The Order exists to uphold the principles of faith, honor, charity, service, and discipline.
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Members pledge their lives to the defense of Christ’s Church, the protection of the innocent, and the pursuit of holiness through service.
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SMOCK is comprised of Clergy Members, Professed Members (those under vows and who live in community),h and Lay Members, united in the same mission though differing in state of life and obligation.
The Military Order — A Rule of Life
The Order follows a Rule of Life inspired by the monastic and military traditions of early Christendom.
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Members live by the principles of obedience, purity, humility, courage, and charity.
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Professed Knights observe a daily schedule of prayer, discipline, and formation modeled after monastic rhythm, adapted to their vocation of chivalric service.
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All members, whether lay or professed, commit to daily prayer, confession, and acts of service for the greater glory of God.
The Charter
The Charter of the Sovereign Military Order of Christ the King, first issued in 2006 and fully revised and promulgated in 2025, sets forth the Order’s:
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Foundational principles and spiritual mission.
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Governance, ranks, and obligations.
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Rules for profession, discipline, and conduct.
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Vision for the restoration of Christian knighthood in the modern world
The present Charter abrogates and nulifies the original Charter first adopted and promulgated on Novemver 26, 2006.
Application for Membership
Men and women who desire to serve Christ the King through the disciplines of Christian knighthood may apply for admission to the Order.
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Applicants must be practicing Christians in good standing with the Church.
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An application fee of $25 is required to process all submissions.
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Prospective members must undergo an initial interview, background check, and formation evaluation.
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Successful candidates are formally received as Novices and begin their spiritual and moral training.
Boot Camp
Following admission as Postulants, all candidates must complete SMOCK Boot Camp — a period of spiritual, moral, and practical formation.
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Instruction includes spiritual discipline, prayer, Church history, chivalric conduct, and service training.
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Candidates learn the Code of the Knight and the expectations of Christian leadership and humility.
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Completion of Boot Camp is required before advancement to the rank of Kinght of Obedience.
Declaration of the Order
The Declaration of the Sovereign Military Order of Christ the King affirms:
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Our absolute loyalty to Christ the King and His Holy Church.
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Our defense of the Faith against heresy, injustice, and moral corruption.
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Our vow to uphold Christian virtue in public and private life.
Organizational Structure
The Order is governed under canonical oversight and military discipline, with ranks and offices designed for service and accountability.
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Supreme Ecclesiastical Prelate: Supreme Ecclesiastical Head of the Order.
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Supreme Commander: The supreme executive and administrative officer of the Order.
- Grand Master: The Grand Master is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Order.
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Grand Council: Advisory and administrative body overseeing a Commandery.
- Knight Commander: Oversee a Commandery or Barracks of the Order.
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Commanderies: Regional bodies under appointed Commanders.
- Barracks: Local houses of formation and fellowship under the supervision of a Knight Commander.
Knights of the Order
The Order recognizes several ranks and classes of knighthood, reflecting degrees of commitment and responsibility.
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Novice: Novices are candidates undegoing initial formaiton and discernment. The period of the Noviate last for twelve months.
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Squire: Squires are novices who have have demonstrated readiness for more advanced training and formation. They are assigned as personal aides to a Knight of Honor and Devotion who becomes his sponsor and mentor. The Squire's sponsor is the one responsible for recommending the Squire for formal admission into the Order. It is at this stage that the candidate makes his first formal commitment to the Order. Squires remain in this stage for a period of twelve months. The period make be extended if the Sponsor does not feel the candiadte is ready for advancement to full knighthood. The Squire may be recommend for enrollment in boot camp at this point.
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Knight of Obedience: The his the first rank of knighthood in the Order. At this stage, Knights receive intensive training and formaiton in spiritual life, chivalry, chartiable works, etiqutte and manners, and tactical skills. The Knight makes a decision to become either a professed or non-professed (secular) member of the Order. Professed members live in community with other professed Knights in a barracks (Local Chapter House). Knights of Obedience norlally remain in this renak for a period of 12 months before being allowed to advance to the next grade.
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Knight of Service: Fully admitted member committed to the Order’s Rule of Life. Knights of Service remain in this rank for a minimum of 24 months. Knights participate fully in the life of the Order. They serve as personal aides to Knights of Honor and Devotion, assist in training and formaiton programs, actively participate in charitable, sevice, and tactical missions.
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Knight of Honor and Devotion. This is the highest rank of knighthood in the Order. These are distinguished Knights who have completed five years of service in the Order and have performed at least ten significant acts of chivalry, charity, and service to the Order, the Church, and the communities in which they live. Knights of Honor and Devotion judge the suitability of Knights of Service for promotion to the rank of Kinight of Honor and Devotion. From among their rnak are chosen Knights of Formaiton and Training, Knights of Discipline, Knights of Justice, and Knights of the Chapeter (Knight Councselor)
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Knight of Formation and Training: These Knights, chosen from the rank of Knight of Honor and Devotion, is responsible for and superivises the formaiton, training, and evaluation of Knights of Obedience and Knights of Service. Knights of Formation and Trainging are also responsible for staffing and running the Order's boot camp.
- Knight of Discipline: Knights of Discipline are responsible for enforcing discipline among all the Knights of the Order. They ensure compliance with the statutes, rules, and regulations of the Order. They administer disciplinary actions for breaches of conduct and provide corrective measure consistent with the principles of the Order.
- Knight of Justice: Knights of Justice serve as the final judicial authority for legal, disciplinary, and canonical matters within the Order. Knights of Justice, when assembled in Tribunal, resolve disputes, review disciplinary decisions, and provide binding judgment on questions of law and governance. Members of the Knights of Justicve must have a degree in eith Canon Law (J.C.L or J.C.D.) and/or Civil Law (J.D.).
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Knight of the Chapter (Knight Counselor): Knights of the Chapter serve as advisors and counsellors on strategic, ceremonlial, and and adminsitrative matters of the Order. They serve and assist the Supreme Commander and the Grand Master.
- Knights Defenders: The Knights Defenders serve as the Order's elite and dedicated security service, tasked with direct protection of churches, parochial schools, ecclesial institutions, and Order events. Their primary and sole mission is to safeguard bishops, clergy, members, the faithful, and property while ensuring both an overt and covert disciplined presence that exemplifies courage, vigilence, and fidelity. Kinghts Defenders are taken from among the ranks of Knights of Service and Knights of Honor and Devotion.
Sample Daily Schedule of Commandery Life (Professed Members)
Professed Members follow a disciplined daily routine modeled on military precision and monastic order:
- 0500 – Rising Bell
- 0530 – 0600 Morning Prayer and Meditation (Privatly in room)
- 0600 – 0830 Matins and Divine Liturgy/Mass (as scheduled)
- 0830 – 0900 Breakfast
- 0900 – 1200 Study, Instruction, or Assigned Duties
- 1200 – 1230 Midday Prayer and Spiritual Reading
- 1230 – 1300 Lunch
- 1300 – 1700 Manual Work, Training or Apostolic Service
- 1700 – 1800 Vespers and Evening Reflection
- 1800 – 1830 Dinner
- 1830 – 2100 Free Time or Classroom Instruction, or PT
- 2100 – 2130 Compline
- 2130 - 2300 Free Time
- 2300 Lights Out and Grand Silence
This rhythm fosters prayer, discipline, and personal sanctification within the context of community life.
Official Documents
The official life and governance of the Order are guided by the following principal documents:
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The Charter of the Sovereign Military Order of Christ the King
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The Rule of Life
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The Declaration of the Order
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The Manual of Discipline
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The Code of Conduct and Etiquette
All members are expected to read and have a working knowledge of all the documents of the Order.
Commanderies and Barracks
The Order is organized into Commanderies, which are the primary regional bodies, and Barracks, which are local houses or cells of knighthood and formation.
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Commanderies oversee administration, membership, and service in their territories.
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Barracks provide local centers for prayer, formation, and community life.
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Each Barracks maintains a Chapel or Oratory, a meeting hall, and living quarters for Professed Members when possible
This structure ensures a disciplined and orderly structure and life consistent with the mission, vision, and goals of the Order.
“For the Glory of Christ the King”
In an age that has forgotten virtue, discipline, and faith, the Sovereign Military Order of Christ the King stands as a living testimony to the enduring ideal of Christian knighthood — men and women who fight the good fight of faith under the banner of Christ the King.
