The Knights Templar | The Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem - 1

The Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem - 1

And The Practice of Traditional Templarism

Preface:

The following article is not meant to present the opinions of any person or organization other than those of the author. Many points of history are debatable and with regard to the subject at hand, are likely to remain so. Thus, every attempt has been made to present the reader with the philosophy and basic tenants of Templarism as presently practiced within the organization known as the Sovereign Military Order of The Temple of Jerusalem (SMOTJ) and as specific to that of the Grand Priory of the USA (GPUSA) as perceived and practiced by the author.

It needs to be stated up front that the SMOTJ is not affiliated with the Masonic Knights Templar. While there is certainly a significant cross membership in many parts of the USA, no formal association exists between the two entities, although I feel safe in saying that a mutual acknowledgment and respect does.

The Order is ecumenically Christian in nature, accepting into full membership both men and women. The GPUSA is established as a legal not for profit corporation (presently a 501 c-10 corporation) in the United States.

It also needs to be stated that the Order is not a secret Order. It functions and ceremonies are open to the public. Thus there really is no proprietary information existent other than that which would be considered proprietary by any other business or organization. The information contained herein describes the practice of Templarism as well as the structure and nature of the Order as administered by the SMOTJ and the Grand Priory of the USA.

The Grand Priory of the USA (GPUSA) maintains a web site at www.smotj.org The fundamental tenets of the organization can be found there. The reader is also referred to the international web site at www.osmth.org for additional information regarding the Order.

Generally Accepted History of the Modern Order:

Genuine documents regarding the possible continuance of the Order after 1314 are all but non-existent in any undisputed context. The official position of the GPUSA is that the SMOTJ does not claim undisputed direct descent from the original Order. There are European branches of the SMOTJ that do imply such direct descent. We neither agree nor necessarily disagree but rather say that direct descent cannot be proven or discounted at present.

Despite this official (albeit an uncommitted) position, many within the Order, and for whatever reason, believe that the Order survived probably in a greatly fragmented form. Many in the Order believe that Freemasonry is directly descendant from the original Order. And by coincidence or design, there are no few similarities between the tenets and practices of the Masonic Knights Templar and the SMOTJ.

What is generally agreed upon is that this branch of the Order became visible in the early 19th century in France. Whether this appearance represents a re-birth or the surfacing of an actual remnant is a subject of ongoing debate. The official position of the GPUSA is that from that point in time, a documented history of the Order can be traced to the modern order known today as the SMOTJ.

A more detailed historical account as promoted by the Order in the USA can be found on the OSMTH web site (www.osmth.org).

Purpose of the Modern Order:

An official statement of purpose can be found on the web site. Basically, the Order considers itself to be a vanguard of Christianity. We believe that this was the purpose of the ancient Order and thus we believe that such is the tradition which should be maintained. Of course, in the world today, direct military action on the part of such an organization would be ludicrous. Rather, the Order uses it resources and influence in more contemporary applications. The Order contributes yearly to the Franciscan Order for the express purpose of helping to maintain the Holy Sites in and around Jerusalem. The Order is very concerned and increasingly active in the arena of Christians at risk, civil rights, and conflict resolution. The Order maintains a strong interest in helping achieve Christian tolerance between denominations and between Christians and non-Christians. The Order is active in a multitude of humanitarian activities and supports several established charities such as Doctors Without Borders.

Charitable activities are conducted at all levels of the Order. Thus, individual Priories and Commanderies have projects that they support at the local, regional , national, or international levels, and the Grand Priories have programs that they support through the resources made available to the Order nationally.

Most members feel that it is inherently part of their knightly responsibilities to become active in some ongoing philanthropic endeavor. The "Silent Knight" Program is a perfect example of the type of individual philanthropic initiatives promoted by the Order (see www.osmth.org). Insofar as possible, most Priories work to involve the membership in charitable projects that appeal to the membership at large. These projects are not dictated by the Grand Priory but left to the discretion of the individual Priories.

Templars from the GPUSA can be found engaged in direct charitable service in Russia, Romania, Kosova, the Middle East, Mexico, and Africa.

They can be found working through a host of humanitarian organizations, governments, and the United Nations. All members work within their respective circles of society and interests to try and make the world a little better place to live, especially for those who have little of the better things of life.

Organizational Structure:

The international or magisterial level of the SMOTJ is termed the Ordo Supremus Militaris Templi Hierosolymatani (OSMTH). This entity is comprised of the various national Grand Priories who have come together in combined purpose and direction. The Magisterial Council presides as the international authority of the Order. This council is comprised of the Grand Priors of each member country. The council elects and appoints executive officers to provide the administration of the Order. These appointments are three year terms. The Grand Magistry is established as a legal entity through Switzerland.

The Grand Magistry represents a very concerted effort to bring together the various Templar organizations. The Order has suffered several large schisms over the years that had resulted in organizational isolationism. Since the formalization of the OSMTH in the mid 1990's, enormous strides in consolidation and unity have been achieved. Most persons knowledgeable of the modern order would agree that the Order is stronger now than it has been since the suppression in 1307.

The Grand Priories that participate in the international council are unified by some very basic tenets of the Order but remain autonomous insofar as their specific administrations, policies, and operations are concerned.

Continue to Part 2