In a moving gesture of remembrance, members of the Order of St. George the Martyr, led by Grand Master Cllr Robert Dryden, visited the historic Rome’s Jewish Quarter in the Rione Sant’Angelo district of Rome. Alongside Father Eugene Harkness, Knight of the Order; Abdul-Kayum Arain, a close friend of the Order; and Piero D’Angelico, a Knight of the Order and native of Italy, the delegation honoured Jewish victims of persecution and the Holocaust.
The Roman Ghetto, established in 1555, confined the Jewish community to a small area near the River Tiber and the Theatre of Marcellus. Forced to live under restrictive laws and appalling conditions, the community endured centuries of hardship. During World War II, under Mussolini’s regime, the Nazis launched la spietata caccia agli ebrei—“the merciless hunt for Jews.” On October 16, 1943, the Gestapo surrounded the ghetto at dawn, capturing 1,259 people, including 363 men, 689 women, and 207 children. Of the 1,023 deportees sent to Auschwitz, only 16 survived. Despite this horrific chapter, the Italian police and many members of the public resisted the Nazis’ actions, enabling Jewish families to hide in the Vatican or other Catholic institutions.
The visit began at the Great Synagogue of Rome (Tempio Maggiore), where Mgr. Father Eugene Harkness led prayers for healing and unity. The powerful moment underscored the importance of interfaith dialogue and solidarity. “This is sacred ground, of those who responded to your first covenant, who adhered to the faith, realising that it may cost them their lives,” Father Harkness remarked. “We stand here not only to honour the lives lost but to recommit ourselves to the mission of peace, justice, and unity among all people.”
Piero D’Angelico, reflecting on the visit, shared how personal it was for him as an Italian Knight of the Order. “This history is not just in the past; it is in our streets, our stones, and our hearts,” he said. “As someone connected to both this land and the Order, it is my honour to stand in solidarity with those who suffered here and to pledge my ongoing commitment to remembrance and unity.”
The delegation paused at the poignant Stolpersteine (“Stumbling Stones”) embedded in the streets outside the former homes of Jewish families. These brass plaques bear the names of victims, along with the dates they were arrested, deported, and murdered, serving as haunting reminders of the past. First laid in Italy in 2010, these small square stones—crafted by artist Gunter Demnig—commemorate Holocaust victims across Europe. Demnig’s work draws inspiration from the Talmudic phrase, “A person is only forgotten when their name is forgotten.”
As they reflected on these embedded memorials, Father Eugene Harkness offered prayers for healing and unity, while Abdul-Kayum Arain, representing interfaith friendship, underscored the collective responsibility to combat hatred. “Their suffering is also our suffering,” he said. “Together, we must ensure that such horrors never happen again.”
Grand Master Dryden emphasized the significance of the visit, stating, “We stand here today not just to remember but to commit ourselves to vigilance. We must never allow such hatred and inhumanity to occur again in our name or on our watch. This tragedy is a shared pain, and we honour the memory of those who suffered with unwavering resolve.”
The Stolpersteine project has grown into a profound international movement, with over 75,000 stones laid across Europe. Each plaque is a testament to the enduring power of individual memory to challenge collective amnesia. The delegation reflected on the universal message of these stones, recognizing their role in connecting individuals globally to a shared memory of Holocaust victims.
The Order’s visit comes at a time when rising prejudice worldwide reminds us of the enduring importance of education, remembrance, and interfaith solidarity. By confronting the darkest chapters of history, the delegation reaffirmed their belief in the power of unity and shared responsibility to combat hatred in all its forms.
The delegation also visited nearby synagogues and engaged in heartfelt exchanges with members of the local Jewish community. Expressing their shared grief and solidarity, the Order pledged continued support for the fight against prejudice and injustice. Inspired by Pope St. John Paul II’s message of interfaith unity, they shared a symbolic embrace, saying, “When you see people of other faiths, give them a hug from me.” Members of the Jewish community expressed gratitude for the visit, with one young Rabbi saying, “This act of solidarity reminds us that the memory of our ancestors is honoured not just by our own community but by all who value justice. We need more love like this. We need to be the voice of peace. We love you, Abdul-Kayum Arain, my Muslim Brother, and Piero D’Angelico, my Cristian brother for sharing our pain. We as the creation of God Almighty must work together—there is so much that unites us.”
The visit concluded with the Order sharing their message of solidarity and remembrance with the Jewish community in Cambridge. Abdul-Kayum Arain, Chair of the Cambridge Muslim Trust and Piero D’Angelico, Knight of Order of St. George the Martyr, shared a heartfelt embrace with our Beloved Brothers Mike Frankl MBE Synagogue Treasurer and David Karat Chairman of Trustees of Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue, Cambridge, symbolizing unity and interfaith friendship. In addition to honouring the past, the Order reaffirmed their dedication to fostering interfaith dialogue and supporting community programs aimed at confronting prejudice and building bridges of understanding. Plans are already underway to host education initiatives and intercultural events, ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to inspire meaningful action in the present.”
As the Order of St. George departs Rome’s Jewish Quarter, their message is clear: remembrance is a sacred duty, and unity a shared responsibility. Only together can we build a future where such atrocities are never repeated. Through this solemn visit, the Order reinforced their mission to preserve historical memory, promote unity, and stand against injustice—a guiding light for a more compassionate and inclusive future.
