The OSMTJ Knights Templar, L’Ordre du Temple de J\u00e9rusalem, as its officially known, are a Christian (Catholic, Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox) fraternal and chivalric Order of Knighthood. Our Order has no Masonic or political affiliations. We are ecumenical, meaning we are not affiliated with any single Christian denomination but represent all of Christendom.<\/p>\n
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We are a world-wide organization for the fellowship and networking of like-minded individuals. Our Order is organized and registered Internationally under the name \u201cl’Ordre du Temple de J\u00e9rusalem\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Our Order vows to hold to the virtues of Honesty, Loyalty, Perseverance, Charity, Humility, Courage and Honor. We take our vows seriously and hold each other accountable as our ancient statute prescribes: \u201cEach day we must help our brethren for whom we are responsible, for one day God will say, \u2018Where is thy Brother?\u2019\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
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In contrast to much of today\u2019s society, with people moving from place to place and from relationship to relationship, this Order calls Knights and Dames to live a committed life of purpose under the Godhead Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n
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Historically, the Knights Templar were a Christian order of religious knights founded in 1118 A.D.. Named for the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, the Templars initially protected pilgrims traveling through the Holy Land, but eventually evolved into a powerful military force that waged war to protect the Holy Land during the Crusades.<\/p>\n
The reasons <\/span><\/b><\/em>Ordre du Temple de J\u00e9rusalem\u00a0<\/i><\/b>Knights Templar exist today are:<\/span><\/b><\/em><\/p>\n The 12th century Cistercian Abbot, Bernard of Clairvaux wrote, “The Knight Templar is truly a fearless knight and secure on every side, for his soul is protected by the armor of faith just as his body is protected by armor of steel. He is thus doubly armed and needn’t fear neither demons nor men. Not that he fears death\u2013no, he desires it. Why should he fear to live or fear to die when for him to live is Christ, and to die is gain?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n
\u201cWe must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.\u201d<\/i> \u2015 Benjamin Franklin<\/li>\n