Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem
From Citizendium, the Citizens' Compendium
The Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (Latin: Ordo Supremus Militaris Templi Hierosolymitani) is a modern revival of the medieval Knights Templar. The organization is an international collection of autonomous national priories.
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History
Though not directly descended from the original chivalric order, the SMOTJ does have more than 200 years of history. The central figure behind the Order's revival was Bernard-Raymond Fabre-Palaprat, a French physician an interest in the history of the medieval order. In 1805, heestablished the Templar Order and proclaimed himself the Grand Master.
In 2001, the Order was accredited by the United Nations Economic and Social Council as a Non-Governmental Organisation. The Order, also an ecumenical Christian and humanitarian organisation, is an associate member of the International Peace Bureau, founded by Alfred Nobel in 1891, and an affiliate of the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy.
Goals
The order claims a membership of approximately 5,200 and it has several goals. In modern times, the order exists as an international ecumenical Christian organisation. The SMOTJ strives for the preservation of the holy sites in and around Jerusalem, antiquarian research, charitable works, and diplomatic lobbying.
References
- Chev. Leo Thys, KCTJ. "History of the Order of the Temple of Jerusalem: From 1118 to 2005", ISBN 9-0901-9317-0
Further reading
- Stephen Howarth. The Knights Templar, 1991. ISBN 978-0880296632
- BBC Website 'What are the Knights Templar up to now?'. News Magazine 2007-10-19
- BBC Radio 4 'On the Trail of The Templars' Program audio, first broadcast 2007-06-18
External links
- Ordo Supremus Militaris Templi Hierosolymitani (OSMTH)
- Grand Priory in England and Wales Official website
- Constitution of the Grand Priory in England and Wales Official Repository
