Grand Masters of Order of the Holy Sepulchre

The Grand Masters of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre have been essential in maintaining the order's influence and presence in the Holy Land and beyond. They have overseen the protection of sacred sites and the support of Christian communities in times of conflict.

Throughout history, the leadership has evolved, with Grand Masters often being influential figures in both the military and ecclesiastical spheres. Their decisions not only shaped the order's military campaigns but also its relations with the Church and other orders.

Members of the Grand Masters of Order of the Holy Sepulchre lineage

• Gérard de Médicis, 1st Prior-Master (?–1120) — First leader of the Canons of the Holy Sepulchre, established to guard the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem after the First Crusade.
• Arnoul de la Chièvre, 2nd Prior (?–1138) — Latin Patriarch and prior who consolidated the order's presence at the holiest site in Christendom.
• Aimery, 3rd Prior (?–1154) — Oversaw the order during the Second Crusade and the expansion of commanderies in Europe.
• Nicolas d'Angers, 4th Prior (?–1170) — Managed the order's growing European network of churches and priories.
• Raoul, 5th Prior (?–1187) — Last prior to serve in Jerusalem before Saladin captured the city in 1187.
• Fermond de Tyre, 6th Prior (?–1192) — Led the order in exile after the fall of Jerusalem, relocating to Acre.
• Pierre de Lentini, 7th Prior (?–1210) — Managed the order from Acre and its European commanderies in Aragón and Navarre.
• Gérard de Nazareth, 8th Prior (?–1230) — Oversaw the order during Frederick II's brief recovery of Jerusalem by treaty in 1229.
• Egidius, 9th Prior (?–1244) — Led the order when Jerusalem was permanently lost to the Khwarezmians in 1244.
• Jacques Pantaléon, 10th Prior (?–1261) — Later became Pope Urban IV (1261–1264). Elevated the order's status through papal patronage.
• Guillaume de Molay, 11th Prior (?–1291) — Last prior before the fall of Acre in 1291 ended the Crusader presence in the Holy Land.
• Philippe de Cabassole, 12th Grand Prior (?–1372) — Reorganized the order in Europe after the permanent loss of the Holy Land; friend of Petrarch.
• Raimondo del Balzo Orsini, 13th Grand Prior (?–1406) — Prince of Taranto who expanded the order's Italian and Iberian presence.
• Ludovico Barbo, 14th Grand Prior (?–1443) — Reformed the order along monastic lines and strengthened its spiritual mission.
• Pius II, 15th Grand Master (Papal) (1405–1464) — Pope Pius II attempted to revive the crusading spirit and brought the order under direct papal control in 1459.
• Alexander VI, 16th Grand Master (Papal) (1431–1503) — Spanish Borgia pope who maintained papal oversight of the order. Merged it briefly with the Knights Hospitaller.
• Leo X, 17th Grand Master (Papal) (1475–1521) — Medici pope who restored the order's independence from the Hospitallers.
• Pius IX, 18th Grand Master (Papal) (1792–1878) — Re-established the modern Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre in 1847 as a papal order of knighthood.
• Ludovico Altieri, 1st Grand Master (Modern) (1805–1867) — First lay Grand Master of the restored order, appointed in 1868.
• Valerga, 2nd Latin Patriarch-GM (1813–1872) — Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem who governed the order and expanded its charitable works in the Holy Land.