Beneath the knights in the order and drawn from non-noble families were the sergeants. [39] Montague Rhodes James, The Apocryphal New Testament, Oxford University Press (1707), Clarendon Press, Oxford (1924), Acts of Thomas, 27. According to the modern Templar historians, Tim Wallace-Murphy and Christopher Knight, the knights who banded together as the Knights Templar were part of a wave of European royalty descended from Jewish Elders that had fled the Holy Land … For all of these reasons, the Templar Patron Saint Bernard de Clairvaux, in his speech In Praise of the New Knighthood (ca. [13] Pope Innocent II, Omne Datum Optimum, “Every Good Gift” (29 March 1139); Translated in: Malcolm Barber & Keith Bate, The Templars: Selected Sources, Manchester University Press (2002), pp.8, 59-64. Evidence that Templar Mysticism includes some Gnostic principles is found in the Temple Rule, in which the Templar Order itself is described as a “Holy Communion”, meaning that Templar spirituality provides a direct connection with God (Rule 2). [49] According to legend, he called out from the flames that both Pope Clement and King Philip would soon meet him before God. [108], Freemasonry has incorporated the symbols and rituals of several medieval military orders in a number of Masonic bodies since the 18th century at least. [70], No precise numbers exist, but it is estimated that at the order's peak there were between 15,000 and 20,000 Templars, of whom about a tenth were actual knights. King Baldwin and Patriarch Warmund agreed to the request, probably at the Council of Nablus in January 1120, and the king granted the Templars a headquarters in a wing of the royal palace on the Temple Mount in the captured Al-Aqsa Mosque. In fact, contemporary chroniclers paint a very different picture. The Ancient Priesthood of Solomon, which the Knights Templar recovered from the Biblical Temple of Solomon, featured the authentic practices of Jesus the Nazarene Essene, including esoteric energy work through meditation, involving the purification of spiritual energy centers along the spinal column [34]. It commands to “at all times… give thanks to God in silence” every day (Rule 29), encouraging frequent prayer “day and night” (Rule 63). [98][99] The story of the persecution and sudden dissolution of the secretive yet powerful medieval Templars has drawn many other groups to use alleged connections with them as a way of enhancing their own image and mystery. The Templars retained a base on Arwad island (also known as Ruad island, formerly Arados) off Tortosa (Tartus) until October 1302 or 1303, when the island was recaptured by the Mamluks. The Order of the Knights Templar arguably qualifies as the world's first multinational corporation. 5.”, [4] Charles G. Addison, The History of the Knights Templar (1842), pp.4-5, citing a Vatican document by the 13th century Pope Urban IV (Jacques Pantaleon, 1195-1264), the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, as “Pantaleon, Lib. All unauthorized republication including online is illegal (Art. Vatican scholars always noted that most of the confessions were conflicting and contradictory, making them meaningless [20]. [34] H. Spencer Lewis, The Mystical Life of Jesus, Ancient and Mystical Order Rosae Crucis, San Jose (1982), pp.191-192. The Knights Templar were founded in the Biblical Temple of Solomon [2] [3] [4] [5], which they excavated [6] [7] for a nine year period [8]. Many sites also maintain the name "Temple" because of centuries-old association with the Templars. Learn about Sacred Activism as Templar Faith in Action. By papal decree, the property of the Templars was transferred to the Knights Hospitaller except in the Kingdoms of Castile, Aragon, and Portugal. [35] J. The visitors-general had the power to remove knights from office and to suspend the Master of the province concerned. According to some historians, King Philip, who was already deeply in debt to the Templars from his war against England, decided to seize upon the rumours for his own purposes. Holy Saints and Martyrs of the Temple pray for us. It also declares that “God is with you”, that Templars should be spiritually nourished “by the meat from God” (Rule 9), and that Templars “reconcile with God” through prayerful meditation (Rule 55). 12). [30] The Vatican, The Catholic Encyclopedia (1911), The Encyclopedia Press, New York (1913), Volume 10, “Mystery”, p.662. 600 AD, cooperating with Templars since 1160 AD, and confirmed by 128 Royal Houses of Kingdoms of Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East in 1750 AD, Recognized as a Member State of the Inter-Governmental Organization (IGO) Ignita Veritas United (IVU), which provides infrastructure mandated by the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) alliance of 137 countries, supporting official Diplomatic relations, Join the modern restored Order of the Temple of Solomon to begin your Quest today, by knowledge and skills training, and participation in Membership activities of the Templars, allied Order of Salahadin, or affiliated Ancient Church, Login to the Templar Official Membership Platform, to interact with Officers and Members of the Order, update your profile and contact information to stay connected, and download skills training and multimedia materials for Members, Copyrights © – All contents and research Copyright © 2016, 2020 Ignita Veritas United. The result achieved by this twofold mental focus of meditation, is to become “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2), to be “renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Ephesians 4:23), and thus “renewed in knowledge” of the Spirit and the Faith (Colossians 3:10). [50]. The Fathers recognized indeed the partial truth of the pagan [Gnostic] system… the Christian school of Alexandria [taught] the true Gnosis based on grace and faith… through which the soul contemplates directly the Mysteries of Divine light. Those sacred energy centers, aligned with points along the spine, are known in the Eastern esoteric traditions as the seven “Chakras”, described as the gateways connecting the human soul with the Divine creator of the universe. The secular King Philip IV thus ordered the French authorities to purposely manufacture false charges of “heresy” to exploit that limited vulnerability. They acquired large tracts of land, both in Europe and the Middle East; they bought and managed farms and vineyards; they built massive stone cathedrals and castles; they were involved in manufacturing, import and export; they had their own fleet of ships; and at one point they even owned the entire island of Cyprus. De Molay reportedly remained defiant to the end, asking to be tied in such a way that he could face the Notre Dame Cathedral and hold his hands together in prayer. Singing and chanting has always been an essential part of prayer and meditation, in diverse esoteric and spiritual traditions since the beginning of recorded history. [28] Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary (2001), “Gnostic (n.)”, “Gnostic (adj. The order was still not subject to local government, making it everywhere a "state within a state" – its standing army, though it no longer had a well-defined mission, could pass freely through all borders. After the Templars were involved in several unsuccessful campaigns, including the pivotal Battle of Hattin, Jerusalem was recaptured by Muslim forces under Saladin in 1187. 96 AD), Translation by William Whiston (1736), Loeb Classical Library (1926), Volume I, p.65; The Temple replica rebuilt by King Herod also “had figures of living creatures in it” (Part 12). The Crusades and the Knights Templar. [83][84][85] Under the Rule, the knights were to wear the white mantle at all times: they were even forbidden to eat or drink unless wearing it. They had a powerful advocate in Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, a leading Church figure, the French abbot primarily responsible for the founding of the Cistercian Order of monks and a nephew of André de Montbard, one of the founding knights. All of the misconceptions of alleged “heretical” Templar spiritual practices entered the popular imagination only from the French persecution of 1307 AD. to serve… by studious purification… to fill in and fulfilling the very noble armour of obedience, Put on the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Knights were to take their meals in silence, eat meat no more than three times per week, and not have physical contact of any kind with women, even members of their own family. Templars always referred to the daily prayer times as the “hours of Our Lady Saint Mary [French ‘Nostre Dame’, Latin ‘Sancte Marie’]” (Rule 16). Accordingly, those who practice authentic Templar spirituality are not really “Gnostics”, but rather are properly called “Mystics”. … Our Knights did not remain content with the mere belief in God: … This Faith was an integral part of the Code of Chivalry.”, “Chivalry [is]… armed force in the service of the unarmed Truth… The Knight… was bound to hold himself in readiness, sword in hand… it was necessary to pray and fight… [as] Knights, whom God had made to protect those who prayed”. Dissension arose among Christian factions in and concerning the Holy Land. 14,000 BC, which supported the Kingdom of Solomon ca. The Knights Templar, a military order of monks answerable only to the Pope himself, were founded in 1118. Gnostic spirituality generally concentrates on direct personal Divine Communion through the Holy Spirit. Real Crusades History #158. [45][46][47], With Philip threatening military action unless the pope complied with his wishes, Pope Clement finally agreed to disband the order, citing the public scandal that had been generated by the confessions. The “confessions” under torture followed a list of false charges predetermined by the French King, relying on recruited “witnesses” who had been expelled from the Templar Order for serious wrongdoing [18], and were given immunity from any punishment even if their accusations were proven false [19]. It is better for Templars to avoid time-consuming “esoteric training” groups of “spiritual gurus”, with various “systems” or “guided meditation” or “retreat” activities, as these do not teach Chivalry in action, which is the only path to mastering true Templar spirituality. [39] Claims were made that during Templar admissions ceremonies, recruits were forced to spit on the Cross, deny Christ, and engage in indecent kissing; brethren were also accused of worshipping idols, and the order was said to have encouraged homosexual practices. The Temple Rule evidences the strong Templar tradition of intensive spiritual meditation at every opportunity. [34], In 1305, the new Pope Clement V, based in Avignon, France, sent letters to both the Templar Grand Master Jacques de Molay and the Hospitaller Grand Master Fulk de Villaret to discuss the possibility of merging the two orders. They were a order that was shrouded in mystery then, and have an aura … In Christian scripture, all Mysteries of the sacred sciences must be revealed and actively taught (Matthew 10:26-27; Luke 8:17), and must not be concealed (Romans 1:18-20), as the collective heritage of humanity (I Timothy 2:3-4). [11] Old Testament, Authorized King James Version (AKJV), Cambridge University Press (1990), Ezekiel describing Egyptian Priesthood inscriptions and figures inside the Temple of Solomon, Ezekiel 8:10-11. This original Divine spiritual alchemy is the very essence of the Templar concept of the Holy Grail, symbolically represented in the Egyptian Priesthood as the Ankh, and in the Celtic Priesthood as the sacred chalice and sword. For that same reason, because the Ancient Priesthood of the Templars predates and thus is the foundation of all religions, the Temple Rule also established that the Order is authentically interfaith and non-denominational for individual membership (Rules 65, 66, 279, 630), while still upholding its traditions of Ancient Christianity as an institution. Templar iconography is popular with European neo-fascists: The Norwegian mass murderer Anders Breivik claimed to be a Templar, and Knights Templar International is … It is precisely for this reason that under the Temple Rule, the Order continues to serve as Defenders of the Church, primarily as Guardians of the origins of Christianity (Rules 1, 2, 8), which are the foundational pillars essential to restore and preserve the Church. After Jerusalem was captured by Europeans in 1099, during the First Crusade, many Christians made pilgrimages to sites in the Holy Land. This is a powerful way to exemplify female leadership in the spirit of Saint Joan of Arc, in the historic tradition of Saint Mary Magdalene. A discussion of Francis Bacon is a worthy segue into a theory related to the illustrious Knights Templar. During meal times, it is encouraged to hear readings of Holy Scripture whenever possible (Rule 24), and to give silent prayers of Grace (Rule 29). Vatican scholars explain:  “In the language of the early Christians the Mysteries were those religious teachings… revealed truths… supernatural truth” [30]. In classical Catholicism, the practice of Christian Mysticism is actually described as exploring the “Mysteries”, as the cornerstones and focus of “meditation” through prayerful “contemplation” [29]. The original Templar Chants survived in the 12th century Manuscript of the Holy Sepulchre, which is preserved in the Musée Condé in France [27], and continue to be studied and chanted by cultural Templars and members of the restored Templar Order in the modern era. The sergeants wore black or brown. Jack, Ltd., London (1920), Ezekiel 8:10-11; Dr. Peake was Professor of Biblical Exegesis at University of Manchester, a Master of Arts and Doctor of Divinity. Founded in the city of Jerusalem in 1119 by Frenchman Hugh de Payens, the organisation’s actual name was the Order of the Poor Knights of the Temple of Solomon. We are part of the world-wide Supreme Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (Ordo Supremus Militaris Templi Hierosolymitani [OSMTH]). [19] Edward Peters, Inquisition, University of California Press, Los Angeles (1989), p.52. They were highly-trained, well-equipped, and highly motivated. Jesus and the Apostles highlighted the sacred Truth that humanity inherently possesses an internal connection with God through the Holy Spirit, as a natural channel which can be opened and activated through prayer and meditation:  Early Christianity teaches that “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21), all that “may be known of God is manifest” in his creations including within humanity (Romans 1:19-20), that the essence of the Divine “is all, and in all” (Colossians 3:11), and describes “the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us” (II Timothy 1:14). One theory on the origin of Freemasonry claims direct descent from the historical Knights Templar through its final fourteenth-century members who allegedly took refuge in Scotland and aided Robert the Bruce in his victory at Bannockburn. By the Chinon Parchment of 1308 AD as a Papal Decree, Pope Clement V exonerated and vindicated the Templar Order from all charges by the French Inquisition, declaring that the Templar practices contained “nothing… that was not proper” [21]. By the Code of Canon Law, one disqualifying “impediment” is that of Incompatible Appearances of promoting things which are “unbecoming” or “foreign” to authentic Templar principles and teachings of the Order (Canon 285, §§1-2). They were powerful, wealthy medieval organization that has fascinated historians, writers and the public for many centuries. We fly to … Bernard put his weight behind them and wrote persuasively on their behalf in the letter 'In Praise of the New Knighthood',[23][24] and in 1129, at the Council of Troyes, he led a group of leading churchmen to officially approve and endorse the order on behalf of the church. [10][32], With the order's military mission now less important, support for the organization began to dwindle. Using a special Old French word for the feminine face of God, it declares:  “The good works of Our Lady of God [Damedieu] are with us” (Rule 2). A Master of the Order was assigned "4 horses, and one chaplain-brother and one clerk with three horses, and one sergeant brother with two horses, and one gentleman valet to carry his shield and lance, with one horse". To facilitate and encourage meditation in the Templar lifestyle, it commands to “go silently and quietly” every evening (Rule 31), prohibits “idle words” to promote quiet time (Rule 32), requires to generally “refrain from speaking… and observe silence” (Rule 49), and encourages focused prayers “day and night” as frequent meditation (Rule 63). The New Testament teaches the method of meditation, as “giving oneself wholly” to focusing on spiritual thoughts (I Timothy 4:15), to “keep” and “hold fast” specific thoughts of the sacred doctrines in one’s mind (II Timothy 1:13-14), to “ponder them in one’s heart” (Luke 2:19) and “think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). Two of the four Inns of Court which may call members to act as barristers are the Inner Temple and Middle Temple – the entire area known as Temple, London. [71] They were the most visible branch of the order, and wore the famous white mantles to symbolize their purity and chastity. Accordingly, Templarism categorically excludes the various philosophies promoted by private fraternities and societies, which are available elsewhere. [48], As for the leaders of the order, the elderly Grand Master Jacques de Molay, who had confessed under torture, retracted his confession. I exhort you… to conduct yourselves in the presence of the Lord with ardour [energy]… making your voices resound with manliness in order that they may be possessed by the moving of the Holy Spirit. [49] Patrick Boylan, Thoth or the Hermes of Egypt: A Study of Some Aspects of Theological Thought in Ancient Egypt, Oxford University Press (1922), pp.166-168. (The famous “Jedi Knights” of the Star Wars films by George Lucas were based upon research from his mentor, the scholar Joseph Campbell, who noted the historical Templars continuing the Djedhi Priesthood of ancient Egypt.). In the New Age understanding of ancient esoteric traditions, this is known as “metaphysical science” of the spiritual workings of the universe. This is further confirmed by the Papal Bull Omne Datum Optimum of 1139 AD, which refers to “your own religion [vestra religio]” with its own “religious life”, recognizes the Ancient Magi Priesthood from the Temple of Solomon as “the source and origin [fons et origo] of your Holy institution and Order”, and “recognize[s] the authority [concedimus facultatem]… of the Holy Temple” as an autonomous priesthood of Templar spirituality [13]. Pope Eugenius gave them the right to wear a scarlet cross over their hearts, so that the sign would serve triumphantly as a shield and they would never turn away in the face of the infidels': the red blood of the martyr was superimposed on the white of the chaste." It’s not the most pleasant episode in English medieval history to look back on but it happened during the Templar period and we can’t ignore it. 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