1831What is St. John's Day?
St. John's Day, celebrated annually on 24 June, commemorates the legacy of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, whose origins trace back to a hospice for pilgrims in 11th-century Jerusalem. Recognized globally, this feast day holds special meaning for St. John Ambulance, whose Canadian branch has provided lifesaving first aid training and community support for over 130 years. Each year, St. John Canada trains approximately 550,000 people and contributes over one million volunteer hours, making it the Order’s second largest establishment after England. The day is marked by solemn ceremonies at Ottawa’s National War Memorial, honouring the service of volunteers past and present, and culminates in a National Investiture Ceremony in the Senate of Canada.
