The lieutenant-colonel Marcos Pontes has a life full of achievements. He’s a Brazilian Air Force pilot, engineer, AEB astronaut and author. He became the first South American and the first Lusophone to go into space when he docked onto the International Space Station aboard Soyuz TMA-8 on March 30, 2006. He is the only Brazilian to have completed the NASAastronaut training program.

The astronaut is the Brazilian Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation since 2018.

Yesterday, HRH Prince Gharios El Chemor, a Brazilian citizen, was officially received by the Minister at his office at the Ministry in Brasília, the capital of Brazil.

For approximately one hour, the Minister and his team discussed a cooperation between the Ministry and the Royal House of Ghassan. In the end of the meeting, the prince has bestowed upon the Minister the rank of Knight Commander of the Equestrian Order of Michael Archangel.

Above: Prince Gharios bestowing the Order of Michael Archangel to the Astronaut Marcos Pontes, the Brazilian Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation at the Ministry in Brasília

More about the Minister and Astronaut HERE

More about the Order HERE

More about the Royal House of Ghassan HERE

More about the Prince HERE

Above: HRH Prince Gharios El Chemor with His Eminence Dom Sergio Rocha at the Brasília’s Cathedral of Our Lady Aparecida

Today, during a short trip to Brasília, the capital of Brazil, HRH Prince Gharios El Chemor has participated on the Holy Mass of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Aparecida at the Federal Capital of Brazil, presided by His Eminence Dom Sergio Rocha the Cardinal Archbishop of Brasilia. After the mass, the prince visited the Cardinal and presented His Eminence with a DVD of the documentary “The Christian Kings of the Middle East“.

Above: decree with the signature of the President of the Lebanese Republic, recognizing the Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan and authorizing an official branch in Lebanon

Another historical moment for the Ghassanids all over the world. After three long years of a very bureaucratic process, The Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan is officially recognized by the Lebanese Government. Two documents, one the decree signed by the judge from the ministry of interior, and by the Lebanese President and Head of State, the Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan is fully recognized with the consent of the Council of Ministers and the permission for an official branch in Lebanon is granted. The recognition is on the same level of the order of Malta and the Red Cross.

Important to note that very few non-reigning Royal Houses are officially acknowledged by the governments currently ruling their previous territories, for example, the Royal Houses of Portugal and Albania.

Official decree from the Lebanese Ministry of Interior and Municipalities General Directorate of Political Affairs and Refugees – Number: 814/4/2022 recognizing HRH Prince Sheikh Selim El Chemor as the current head of the Royal House branch in Lebanon

The Royal House of Ghassan is also recognized and accredited by the United Nations with the Special Consultative Status. Read More

Congratulations to HH Sheikh Dr. Elie Gharios, the president of the Lebanese branch, and his team for this great achievement!

(Sworn English legal translation soon)

Below: the decree from the Lebanese Ministry of Interior recognizing the Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan