Knights Templar in 250 Facts

[RolandVT]

After Bernard became convinced that the Ark of the Covenant was still hidden underground in Jerusalem (from conversations with Jewish scholars of Old Testament), he was determined to never let it fall into wrong (i.e., Muslim) hands.

So, in 1114 he tasked his friend, relative and sponsor Hugh of Champagne (he was going to Jerusalem anyway) to find and secure the Ark of the Covenant. Which Hugh did – about four years later.

Now Bernard of Clairvaux faced the genuinely existential (for the Church) question: what to do with this find of a millennium – and very possibly the most valuable find in human history.

Should he keep it in Jerusalem – or take it to Clairvaux? Should he then keep it in his abbey – or surrender it to Holy See in Rome? Or maybe this find must be kept secret – for the good of the Church and Christendom?

Ultimately, Bernard of Clairvaux chose the latter option – indeed, for the good of the Church and Christendom. And for obvious reasons – revealing the Ark to the world could have very well… destroyed the Christian church (and Christendom).

Our world can not exist “by bread alone” – it needs to receive a certain minimum amount of Divine Grace – vital, salvific spiritual energy every second. Which, obviously requires powerful enough “energy supply channel” between our world and God (the ultimate source of Divine Grace).

For 1400 years or so – depending on how you date the life of Moses – this channel was provided by God via His Chosen People (the Jews), the Levites (Jewish priestly tribe), High Priest of Old Testament Judaism… and the Ark of the Covenant.

When the Jews rejected Christ in 30 AD, they automatically shut down this (original) energy channel. To save the world from a genuine Hell on Earth, God had to create a “replacement channel” of Divine Grace – via Christ and His Church.

In Bernard’s times, this channel operated with acceptable performance… unfortunately, Christianity had quite a few fundamental flaws – and the Church had not exactly a stellar reputation in Christendom.

Hence, there was a very real possibility that disclosure of the Ark of the Covenant to the world will immediately re-activate the original channel of Divine Grace by the “New Israelites” – and in no time shut down the whole Christian channel. In other words, destroy the whole Christian Church.

With catastrophic consequences for human civilization…

[RolandVT]

Bernard of Clairvaux was determined to never let the Ark of the Covenant fall into wrong (i.e., Muslim) hands. Hugh of Champagne concurred, obviously.

After Bernard of Clairvaux decided (and Hugh of Champagne concurred) that the Ark had to be kept secret – for the good of the Church and the Christendom (it was a no-brainer, actually), they faced a genuinely existential question:

How to protect this – the most sacred, holy and valuable – object?

Hugh (most likely) came with the idea of creating a military order (order of knights) specifically for this purpose… however, there was a problem. A very serious problem: it was not enough to protect the Ark – or even Jerusalem. You had to protect the whole Outremer – all Crusader states.

Consequently, it was necessary to create a military force of shock troops – special formations created to lead military attacks of Christian “regular” forces. Shock troops sufficiently fierce, motivated and professional to all but guarantee Christian victory in just about every battle.

Bernard of Clairvaux agreed – but insisted that it must be a religious military order (because it was supposed to protect a religious object). And that it had to be independent from all authority (except Papal) – to keep the Ark secret.

Hugh of Champagne concurred… and partners went to work. In a few short years they arranged for local recognition of Knights Templar (by Council of Nablus); global (by Council of Troyes); got them headquarters on Temple Mount in Jerusalem; arranged for their independence from secular and ecclesiastical authorities… and even for Templars to have their own priests and build their own churches. And, of course, raised enough money, personnel and land.

Most likely, it was decided that the order will be founded by the members of the team that located and got out the Ark of the Covenant. For a number of reasons (he had many other things to take care of), Hugh of Champagne decided not to become the official (de-jure) Grand Master of Knights Templar – so they made Hugues de Payens the nominal first Grand Master instead.

Neither Bernard nor Hugh ever uttered even a single word about protecting the Christian pilgrims…

[RolandVT]

When Hugh of Champagne left for Jerusalem for good in 1125, he had two fundamental objectives. Become the first Grand Master of Templars in everything but official title… and the High Priest of Ark-centered religion.

The “everything” part was obvious – Hugues de Payens simply did not have neither knowledge nor skills (nor experience) to create a mighty fighting force of shock troops – let alone a military-religious order. Only Hugh did.

The “but official” part was obvious, too – being a Grand Master of a fast-growing military-religious Christian order and simultaneously the High Priest of a heretical sect was just way too risky – the latter would have landed him on a pyre in to time.

Why would Hugh want to pursue these objectives? We will never know for sure but the most logical explanation is that he wanted not only power (every lord and noble did). He wanted to be unique (he was probably born under the sign of Leo).

Besides, he was thoroughly dissatisfied with… just about everything. His wife, his family, his county, Christianity, Christian Church… everything. He wanted to radically change everything and becoming a (shadow) Grand Master of a unique military-religious order (guardians of the Ark of the Covenant) AND the Hight Priest of a heretical religion was the perfect TO BE status.

Going heretical was not unheard of among French nobility – at about the same time nobles in southern France began to reject “official” Christianity and join the nascent Cathar movement. Which was even more heretical than religion based on the Ark of the Covenant.

It took Hugh five years of discerning – and of deep religious conversations with Bernard of Clairvaux – to make a firm commitment to found this new religion (Ark Templar), establish the heretical sect and become its High Priest.

There is little (if any) doubt that when they were trying to figure out what to do with their find of a millennium, Bernard and Hugh talked in detail about how the Ark-centered “alternative religion” might look like – and work. Most likely, they continued these conversations after they decided to keep their find secret… and gradually Hugh came to a conclusion that this religion fits him perfectly.

Did Bernard know that his friend, sponsor and partner founded a heretical sect, became its High Priest and practiced a heretical religion? Not for sure – after 1125 they never met in person and Hugh definitely put nothing on paper. But – being a gifted and experienced priest and a mystic to boot – Bernard of Clairvaux most definitely knew.

And was quite comfortable with that.

[RolandVT]

Two secret societies, actually – the whole order and a small group that I call Ark Templar within the order of Templars. It was the existence of the latter that made the former a secret society as well.

By definition, a secret society is an organization of a group, some or all beliefs, activities, events, inner functioning, and/or membership of which are concealed. In extreme cases its very existence is either totally unknown to anyone outside the society or is vehemently denied by its alleged members.

Both Knights Templar and Ark Templar fit this definition perfectly. Ark Templar because none of the above was known to anyone outside this group (most likely, of twelve individuals) and Knights Templar because the Ark Templar was an integral part of the latter (the top part as it included the top management of the order).

Therefore, the activities, events, inner functioning, and membership of Ark Templar were parts of the same for the whole order. Which technically made the whole order a secret society as well.

Actually, such composition was (and is) pretty common among secret societies: such society usually has a “front organization” (in this case, the order at large) that is by no means secret – and an inner group (core) which is.

However, Ark Templar (and thus, by extension, the whole order) was not “just” a secret society. It was a full-blown heretical Christian sect. Heretical because its beliefs were very different from the official ones held by the Christian Church; Christian because they venerated Christ as Son of God and Savior of mankind… they just did not need him – or His Church, for that matter.

They needed neither because, being in the possession of the Ark, they believed that they had the “alternative” (in fact, the original) channel of Divine Grace. Sufficient for salvation in the afterlife (yes, righteous Jews went to heaven centuries before the arrival of Christ – and they did not need Him or His Church to get there).

Ark Templar was not just an integral part of the order – it was comprised of its top management (and founded by the founders of Knights Templar). Which technically made the whole order a heretical Christian sect as well.

Consequently, French inquisitors working for the king Philip IV were fundamentally correct when they accused the order of heresy – despite irrefutable fact that all specific charges were totally bogus.

[RolandVT]

Actually, exactly the opposite was true. Templars were shock troops that fought bravely, viciously and very efficiently for the Church, protecting the Outremer (Christian Crusader state in the Holy Land). And won quite a few battles.

At peak, Knights Templar had about 15,000 members of whom only .08% (0.8% of the knights) were heretics – all other members were committed Christians. Ark Templar was an insular secret society always limited to 12 members (any expansion would have been too risky and would have gotten them burnt at a stake) so, unlike with Cathars, there was no risk of them expanding and overtaking the Church.

Hence, from a religious perspective, destruction of Knights Templar was an act of immense stupidity. French inquisitors simultaneously destroyed a highly professional, experience, efficient and fearsome fighting force – and equally efficient multinational corporation. Both of which faithfully served the Church.

[RolandVT]

The order of Knights Templar had three fundamental objectives: (1) protect the Ark of the Covenant from falling into the hands of Muslims; (2) protect the Outremer – Christian Crusader states in the Holy Land; and (3) obtain sufficient supplies of money and personnel to make #2 possible.

More specifically, the Templars were designed and created as shock troops – the elite fighting force of Christian army. Which had to defeat its Muslim enemies to make #1 possible.

At peak, 99.2% of Templar knights and 100% of other members of the order had no idea that they were ultimately fighting to protect the Ark of the Covenant; consequently, the existence of its keepers (Ark Templar) had no influence on what they did. They were thinking they were fighting (or working) for Christ and His Church – and they fought (and worked) well.

Although members of Ark Templar were heretics – cut and dry, plain and simple – they still were committed to protect Christian states in the Holy Land (a necessity for protecting the Ark of the Covenant).

Hence, being the keepers of the Ark (and heretics) for them was an additional – and very powerful – motivation. Given the fact that Ark of the Covenant consisted of top managers of the order, Ark Templar did influence the order (in a very positive way).

[RolandVT]

We do not know – and most likely will never know – how the Ark Templar religion looked like. We do not even know how Hugh of Champagne and his followers called it – I came up with the name Ark Templar for two reasons.

First (obviously), their religion was centered around and based on Ark of the Covenant – more specifically, based on possession of the Ark. Second, Hugh and his followers most definitely perceived themselves as passengers on board Hugh’s Ark… or Ark Templar. Ark that makes it possible to achieve the ultimate objective of just about any religion – be in this world but not of it.

True, Hugh and his followers were Christian heretics… but not quite. Not quite because they were not hostile to official Christian Church – they were fully supportive of it.

They sincerely believed that Jesus Christ, Christian dogmas, Christian Church and Christian practices (Mass, confession, Holy Communion, etc.) were absolutely necessary for salvation in the afterlife (job #1 for every human being). They just did not need any of that… because they had the Ark.

Possession of the Ark of the Covenant automatically returned Hugh and his followers to Old Testament – which no less automatically did away with Christian dogma of Holy Trinity.

Inevitably, in Ark Templar there was only one God – God the Heavenly Father. True, Jesus Christ was the Son of God and Savior of Mankind… but He was not God – and thus not our Lord. Holy Spirit was not God either – it was the vital, salvific energy (Divine Grace) that emanated from God the Father (via Ark of the Covenant).

Which automatically made Hugh and his followers Unitarian Christians and Ark Templar – Unitarian Christian religion… 400 years before Unitarianism emerged as a movement within Reformation in Eastern Europe (initially).

Unitarians preach the unitary nature of God as the singular and unique creator of the universe. They believe that Jesus Christ was inspired by God in his teachings and that he is the Savior of humankind, but He is not equal to God.

From another perspective, Ark Templar can (and probably should) be viewed as a descendant of Aryanism – which rejects the traditional notion of the Trinity and considers Jesus to be a creation of God, and therefore distinct from God.

Although Aryanism was all by wiped out by VIII century, it was well known to Bernard of Clairvaux… and from him became known to Hugh of Champagne.

[RolandVT]

Not in disgusting ways alleged by French inquisitors, of course – and only a few Templars (followers of Ark of Templar Unitarian Christian religion – “Templar Arianism”) but some of Templars did reject some aspects of Catholic Christology (first and foremost, the Trinity making them Antitrinitarians).

Ark of Templar does not dispute that Jesus Christ was Son of God and Savior of Mankind – or His Resurrection and subsequent Ascension to Heaven. Nor does it question miracles that He performed. Which made Hugh and his followers Unitarian Christians (“Templar Arians”, if you will).

However, unlike “classical” Arianism, Ark Templar does not dispute Catholic claim that for (almost) everyone Jesus Christ, His Church, Christian doctrine and Christian practices are absolutely necessary for salvation in the afterlife.

For everyone but Ark Templars – because the latter have the Ark and thus an “alternative way to salvation” that needs none of the above. Consequently, every member of Ark Templar (only 12 out of 15,000 Templars) rejected Christ as his personal savior – their salvation is via the Ark – not via Christ. Via Ark Templar, not Christian Church; via its dogmas and practices – not those of Catholic Church.

Like any other religion, Ark Templar had its own acceptance/initiation ceremonies. Which were – obviously – conversion from “official” Catholic Trinitarian Christianity to heretical, Unitarian Arian one.

Consequently, this ceremony inevitably included the part where the applicant had to reject Christ as God and His Lord and Savior. And state to his brethren that from now on he considers only God the Heavenly Father to be the true God, Savior and Lord of Ark Templars. Thus, becoming a Unitarian (Aryan).

I am sure that the applicant just had to make a statement (recite the Creed of Ark Templar) and spitting on the cross and other disgusting rituals were invented by French inquisitors.

However, they were right in some respect – some of Knights Templars (their top brass, in fact) did reject certain aspects of Catholic Christology. And thus – in some way – reject Jesus Christ.

Legally, specific charges did not matter at that time. Members of Ark Templar converted to a Unitarian (Aryan) Christian heresy and practiced it. According to the Criminal Code of that time, it was a capital offense punishable by death.

Burning alive at the stake.

[RolandVT]

We do not know – and most likely will never know – how the Ark Templar religion worked. What were its dogmas, practices, rituals, etc. However, we can reconstruct all of the above with acceptable accuracy – using facts, logic and common sense.

Hugh and his followers converted to Unitarian (Arian) Christian heresy from Catholicism so it would be reasonable to assume that they took the traditional Catholic Mass and adapted it to the dogmas of their new religion (taking away all references to Christ as God).

The Ark Templar Mass was conducted in a secret underground chapel – sufficiently secret to keep the Templars safe from the ecclesiastical and secular authorities. It was celebrated by a High Priest – always a different individual from the Grand Master of Knights Templar.

The Mass was attended by all 12 members of Ark Templar – there was no Holy of Holies (or any other elements of Jewish worship for that matter). There was no altar – the High Priest faced the Ark of the Covenant with his back to his brethren.

Introductory Rites probably stayed the same (minus all references to Christ as God) it is also possible that the Creed of Ark Templar (abridged Nicene Creed with all references to Christ and Holy Spirit as God removed) followed the Introductory Rites rather than the homily (as is the case in the Catholic Mass).

Liturgy of the Word now included readings from Old Testament only and was followed by a Liturgy of the Eucharist. I am confident that they kept the Holy Communion – only interpreted as remembrance of the First Coming of Christ – not as His body and blood (that’s the way Protestants see it).

Again, the Liturgy of the Eucharist was most likely adapted from classic catholic one – with all references to Christ as God removed. As were the Concluding Rites. I am pretty sure that Hugh and his followers kept the Rite of Penance – again removing all references to Jesus Christ (and the Holy Spirit) as God.

To keep confessions in house, I am confident that Hugh recruited a priest – or even two Catholic priests – into the initial twelve (in addition to himself and to nine knights who obtained the Ark of the Covenant – and then founded the order).

The “Templar Rite” was undoubtedly designed by Hugh of Champagne (but kept in an oral form – putting it on paper would have been suicidal). Bernard of Clairvaux was most likely aware of these heretical activities but did not interfere.

Because he knew that this heresy was not a threat to the Church – or to heretics.

[RolandVT]

When Hugh of Champagne created Ark Templar – the Unitarian (Arian) heretic Christian religion – he definitely put its dogmas and its rites on paper. Then memorized – and burned the paper. Otherwise – had someone discovered his writings – he would have been burned himself at the stake (as a heretic).

For the same reason, there was no Scripture in Ark Templar – and no written Rites. Only oral tradition that passed from one High Priest to the other. At dawn on October 13, 1307, all members of Ark Templar were either arrested or (far less likely) were forced to leave Paris.

What happened to them after the trials, is not known (except for the last Grand Master Jacques de Molay who was burned at the stake as relapsed heretic). But even if they managed to gain freedom (and it is a big IF), they undoubtedly found it way too risky to continue practicing Ark Templar after the ruthless and comprehensive onslaught of French King and his inquisitors.

Hence, they just left the Ark of the Covenant where it was – in a secret chapel under one of Templar churches in Paris. And the Oral Tradition (and thus the church) of Ark Templar died with the last member of the latter who passed away.

Unless… one especially gifted member of Ark Templar encoded everything – Scripture, Rites, etc. – of Ark Templar in a work of fiction similar to Perceval by Chrétien de Troyes. In this case, it might very well be hidden in the same secret underground chapel as the Ark of the Covenant (possibly right next to it).

In this case – if the book survived over 700 years underground – it might one day be found, and the religion of Ark Templar may come back to life (the Ark of the Covenant is there, after all).