Templar News

The 704th anniversary of the Papal Bull promulgating the Order of Christ – the 1319 Portuguese metamorphosis of the Order of the Temple – was celebrated by the Secular branch of the OSMTHU with the reception of nine new Knights. The ceremony took place at the Church of the Castro Marim castle, first seat of the Order of Christ, that served as headquarters for almost half a century before returning to Tomar, the emblematic Templar City of Portugal.

The celebrations started with a public debate on March 14, at the Medieval Tavern in Castro Marim. The Grand Prior of Portugal OSMTHU, Fr+ Luis de Matos, addressed some of the most controversial claims about the founding of the Tamplar Order, explaining how the main focus had always been mainland Europe where the Provinces of the Order ruled over vast territories in full autonomy of King and local Clergy.

Military operations in the Holy Land where conducted by the Outremére Province and, although the Master was elected there, very close to the Eastern border, operations of the Western Crusade (later called Reconquista, in the Iberian Peninsula) were so important to the Order, that some exceptional privileges were granted by the Pope and Iberian Kings. This would prove to be crucial when Philip IV arrested Templars in France and unsuccessfully tried to make other kingdoms follow him.

Many of those present were interested in discussing the role os Castro Marim as the first headquarters of the Order of Christ, as well and the transition period between the Temple and the new Order. In a poetic moment, Fr+ Bruno Correia, Preceptor of Castro Marim, read the definition of the acclaimed poet Fernando Pessoa (b. 1888, d. 1935) for the Order of Christ. Having been extinct in 1834, along all other religious Orders in Portugal, the questions related to possible survival of the Order were discussed with enthusiasm.

The proceedings on Saturday started early in the morning, with a final address from the Grand Prior to the postulants. The three previous Instruction meetings were summarized and a final synthesis about the Order, Chivalry and what a Knight should study and bring to the world was made.

The Preceptory invited the Postulants and family to lunch at the headquarters of the Banda Musical Castromarinense. It was a precious moment of fun and fraternal friendship that preceded the afternoon ceremonies.

In the afternoon all reunited in the courtyard in front of the Church, inside the tall walls of the Castle. The interior had been duly prepared and decorated for the ceremony. The present Church building dates from the 16th century, although the foundations go back to the 12th century, originally dedicated to Saint John and later rededicated to Saint James. By the 16th century, three images were present tat the altar, according to “Visitation” reports found in the National Archives: Saint James, Saint John and Saint Sebastian, the latter having been recently added. Saint Sebastian iconography is very significant and would later be intertwined with the myth of King Sebastian, lost in Battle that would one day return, mounted on a shiny white horse.

There was an inner circle of Postulants, Knights and Dames from both branches of the Order. Around them the invited guests had their seats, bearing witness of how Chivalry is transmitted. You could hear a pin drop, so attentive and focused were the invited guests.

The Grand Prior read a few paragraphs on the subject of Templar legacy, explaining how and why the medieval organization had its period of manifestation and cannot be brought back to existence from the same dead body. He stressed however that the Order is not perishable by fire and that Philip IV was unable to suppress it. “The light that shone in Jerusalem that very day the Templars gathered around the same lamp to pray for the first time, is the same light that guides the Order today”, he said.

Each of the postulants was called by name and kneeled to proclaim their public commitment. Then the Grand Prior armed them by following the traditional ritual, using the sword and words in gesture and speech that have hundreds of years. The Commander of Lagos, Fr+ Victor Varela Martins, dressed the new Knights with their mantle, giving them the sword, certificate and the “Liber Novitius” the book published by the Grand Preceptory of the Order where all the historical information is referenced and explained, including the Primitive Rule.

The Proceedings of the Day closed with the congregation singing the Non Nobis. It was a joyful day for the Order, with nine new Secular Knights. They are B+ Luis Velez, B+ Luís Moutinho, B+ Luís Matos, B+ Nuno Moreira, B+ Carlos Carmo, B+ Amadeu Silvestre, B+ José Elias, B+ António Santos Rosa e B+ Jorge Santos.

The evening was crowned with a convivial Medieval Dinner, that included a live performance of medieval music, Troubadour songs and some beautiful pieces from Al-Andaluz and Sufi tradition.

The Order can be contacted by email: templi@seculartempli.org

PORTUGUESE TEXT

O 704º aniversário da Bula Papal que promulgou a Ordem de Cristo – a metamorfose portuguesa de 1319 da Ordem do Templo – foi celebrado pelo Ramo Secular da OSMTHU com a recepção de nove novos Cavaleiros. A cerimónia decorreu na Igreja do castelo de Castro Marim, primeira sede da Ordem de Cristo, que serviu de assento durante quase meio século antes de regressar a Tomar, a emblemática Cidade Templária de Portugal.

As comemorações começaram com um debate público no dia 14 de março, na Taberna Medieval de Castro Marim. O Grão Prior de Portugal OSMTHU, F+ Luís de Matos, abordou algumas das teses mais controversas sobre a fundação da Ordem dos Tamplários, explicando como o foco principal sempre foi a Europa continental onde as Províncias da Ordem governavam vastos territórios em total autonomia de Rei e Clero local. As operações militares na Terra Santa foram conduzidas pela Província de Ultramar e, embora o Mestre fosse aí eleito, muito perto da fronteira oriental, as operações da Cruzada Ocidental (mais tarde denominada Reconquista, na Península Ibérica) foram tão importantes para a Ordem, que alguns privilégios excepcionais foram concedidos pelo Papa e pelos Reis Ibéricos. Isso seria crucial à época em que Filipe IV prendeu os Templários na França e tentou, sem sucesso, fazer com que outros reinos o seguissem.

Muitos dos presentes mostraram-se interessados em discutir o papel de Castro Marim enquanto primeira sede da Ordem de Cristo, bem como o período de transição entre o Templo e a nova Ordem. Num momento poético, o F+ Bruno Correia, Preceptor de Castro Marim, leu a definição do aclamado poeta Fernando Pessoa (n. 1888, d. 1935) para a Ordem de Cristo. Extinta em 1834, juntamente com todas as outras Ordens religiosas em Portugal, as questões relativas à eventual sobrevivência da Ordem foram de seguida discutidas com entusiasmo.

Os trabalhos de sábado começaram no início da manhã, com o discurso final do Grão Prior aos postulantes. Foram resumidas as três reuniões de Instrução anteriores e feita uma síntese final sobre a Ordem, a Cavalaria e o que um Cavaleiro deve estudar e trazer ao mundo.

A Preceptoria convidou os Postulantes e familiares para um almoço na sede da Banda Musical Castromarinense. Foi um precioso momento de diversão e amizade fraterna que antecedeu as cerimónias da tarde.

À tarde, todos se reuniram no pátio em frente à Igreja, dentro das altas muralhas do Castelo. O interior foi devidamente preparado e decorado para a cerimónia. O actual edifício da Igreja data do século XVI, embora as fundações remontem ao século XII, sendo originalmente dedicada a São João e depois rededicada a São Tiago. No século XVI, três imagens estavam presentes no altar, segundo relatórios de “Visitação” encontrados no Arquivo Nacional: São Tiago, São João e São Sebastião, este último tendo sido acrescentado havia pouco tempo. A iconografia de São Sebastião é muito significativa e mais tarde entroncaria no mito de El-Rei D. Sebastião, desaparecido em Batalha e que um dia retornaria, montado em um cavalo branco reluzente.

Na igreja havia um círculo interno de Postulantes, Cavaleiros e Damas de ambos os ramos da Ordem. À sua volta sentaram-se os convidados, testemunhando como se transmite a Cavalaria. Podia ouvir-se um alfinete cair, de tão atentos e concentrados estavam os convidados.

O Grão Prior leu alguns parágrafos sobre o tema do legado Templário, explicando como e por quê a organização medieval teve seu período de manifestação e não pode ser trazida de volta à existência a partir do mesmo cadáver. Enfatizou, no entanto, que a Ordem não é perecível pelo fogo e que Filipe IV não foi capaz de suprimi-la. “A luz que brilhou em Jerusalém naquele mesmo dia em que os Templários se reuniram em torno de uma lâmpada para rezar pela primeira vez, é a mesma luz que hoje guia a Ordem”, afirmou.

Cada um dos postulantes foi chamado pelo nome e ajoelhou-se para proclamar o seu compromisso público.

Então o Grão-Prior armou-os, seguindo o ritual tradicional, usando a espada e palavras, gestos e falas que têm centenas de anos. O Comendador de Lagos, F+ Victor Varela Martins, vestiu os novos Cavaleiros com o seu manto, entregando-lhes a espada, certificado e o “Liber Novitius” livro editado pela Grande Preceptoria da Ordem onde toda a informação histórica é referenciada e explicada, incluindo a Regra Primitiva.

Os procedimentos do Dia encerraram com o canto do Non Nobis. Foi um dia de alegria para a Ordem, com nove novos Cavaleiros Seculares. São eles os I+ Luis Velez, I+ Luís Moutinho, I+ Luís Matos, I+ Nuno Moreira, I+ Carlos Carmo, I+ Amadeu Silvestre, I+ José Elias, I+ António Santos Rosa e I+ Jorge Santos.

A noite foi coroada com um Jantar Medieval de convívio, que incluiu uma actuação ao vivo de música medieval, com canções trovadorescas e algumas belas peças da tradição Al-Andaluz e Sufi.

A Ordem pode ser contactada pelo e-mail: templi@seculartempli.org

It’s with great sadness that we receive news of the passing of H.E. Nicolas Haimovici-Hastier, Regent of the OSMTJ. Brother Haimovici was one of the most influential and long-lasting leaders of the Order, active until his last days. He was 96 years old.

Fr. Haimovici had a long history with the OSMTHU, dating back to the early 90’s. In 2019 he signed a Cultural Exchange Agreement and later in the year he headlined with Master Antonio Paris the International Conference of Almourol on the Templars and Templarism.

The OSMTHU, our Magisterial Council and Master Antonio Paris express our pain in the passing of Fr. Haimovici and would like to extend out sympathy to his family and the OSMTJ.

The best way to celebrate his remarkable life is to hear on of his last public appearances.

Three more links we recommend:

https://templars.wordpress.com/2019/06/21/groundbreaking-agreement-brings-osmtj-and-osmthu-templars-to-the-table/

https://templars.wordpress.com/2020/01/21/i-international-conference-of-the-temple-spiritual-chivalry-and-templarism-in-almourol-available-in-video-full-lenght-all-conferences-and-visits-9h30m/

https://templars.wordpress.com/2020/01/05/yes-the-light-remains-in-the-east/

The 2023 Class of our Academy with the Foundation Course and Certification Course was announced and will start on May 3, 2023. The Courses will be available in Portuguese and English.

More information:

Training & Certification

The first contemporary monograph dedicated to the Knights Templar in Croatia was solemnly presented at the Trakošćan Castle, entitled “Templar Heritage in Croatia”, a project carried out by the Croatian Knights Templar. A number of Croatian scientists have been working on this issue for years. The Templars are one of the most important knightly orders that emerged in the Middle Ages. Breaking Mysticism and Taboos they represented a special form of religious community, embodying two ideals of medieval man – devotion to God in religious life and the virtues of chivalry. Their history has attracted the attention of both scientific circles and the general public from the Middle Ages to the present day. The way in which the order disappeared or was destroyed also played an important role, and this led to the emergence of various myths and stories related to the Templars.

That is why this book presents in a scientifically based way the development and history of this order, both in general and in the Hungarian-Croatian Kingdom, and its cultural and historical heritage in Croatian lands, discovered by archaeological research. In addition, it points to the importance of nurturing Templar traditions in modern society – said the book’s editor, Ph.D. Marija Karbić, scientific advisor at the Croatian Institute of History. The reviewer prof.dr.sc. spoke about the importance of this publishing venture. Ivan Jurković from the Faculty of Philosophy, Juraj Dobrila University in Pula, who emphasized the importance of scientific facts in breaking mysticism, taboos, but also fiction about this mysterious order.

Dr. sc. Juraj Belaj from the Institute of Archeology, who wrote a chapter dedicated to archaeological finds related to the Templar heritage, stressed that throughout Croatia there are remnants of the rich Templar heritage that has yet to be valued and revealed to the local and European public. Namely, Croatia has a centuries-old Templar tradition, which is quite unknown to the general public. That is why Dr. sc. Damir Karbić, director of the Department of Historical Sciences of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, warned of the importance of rare preserved sources related to the activities of the Templars in Croatia, emphasizing the HAZU archive. In addition to the collected material, original scientific works of leading Croatian historians and scientists dealing with this issue have been made, as well as new maps that “draw” Croatia on the Templar map of Europe.

The Knights Templar, their work and heritage are certainly one of the most intriguing topics of popular culture and arouse public interest. However, too little is known about how Croatia, thanks to its Templar heritage, secured an important place on the map of Europe in the Middle Ages.

Templar forts, churches and chapels sprang up all over the then Croatian lands… On their way to the Holy Land, European Templars met and stayed in Croatia. And when they were banned in Europe under the pressure of French King Philip, thanks to the then Bishop of Zagreb, today’s Blessed Augustine Kazotic, Zagreb gave them refuge in what today is Nova Ves. Croatia became their last legal refuge after persecution in France – said university professor Bozo Skoko, who published a chapter on contemporary Templar heritage in Croatia and the world in a monograph with professor and communicologist Ivan Tanta. A memorial plaque at the beginning of the street, which was unveiled in 2019, testifies to Nova Ves as the last European legal refuge in Europe.

Croatia has a centuries-old Templar tradition, which is quite unknown to the general public. There are remnants of the rich Templar heritage throughout Croatia that has yet to be valued and revealed to the local and European public, in which interest in this mystical religious knightly order is constantly growing. That is why the Croatian Knights Templar, associations and fraternities, initiated the publication of the first modern monograph dealing with this topic. The monograph was published with the support of the Adris Foundation and the support of the Templar Corps International.

Conference and Ceremony

On the following day the Grand Prior of Croatia, Fr+ Lovro Tomašinec was installed in Office by the representatives of the Magisterial Council of the OSMTHU in a ceremony that took place in the beautiful medieval Chapel.

A procedure of elections was announced for the OSMTJ, that will take place this month of April. Since the procedure comes as a consequence of an illegitimate attempt made in 2020, if you wish to understand the details and how normalcy is restored, please do read the ANNOUNCEMENT made by the Independent Auditor that was invited to oversee the Election.