the most venerable order of the hospital of saint john of jerusalem (), is a royal order of chivalry established in 1831 and found today throughout the commonwealth of nations, hong kong, ireland and the united states of america. its world-wide mission is "to prevent and relieve sickness and injury, and to act to enhance the health and well-being of people anywhere in the world." it is often simply called the "order of st. john", or as the "venerable order of saint john" (vosj) to distinguish it from other similarly named orders.