Jacques DeMolay
Posted by Sam Tish at 1:06 PM 3.Commandery | Masonic Education
THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
by Susie Hodges
"The Knights Templar was the most powerful military religious order of the Middle Ages, originally founded.....in 1118 A.D., to protect Christian pilgrims in the Holy Lands....
Over time, the Order became powerful and respected. Yet, in less than 200 years after it had formed, it fell spectacularly from grace." At the beginning of the 14th Century (1300's), the Templars were put on trial for blasphemy. A great deal of documentation and solid evidence were destroyed after their demise. The Templars’ primary duty was to kill for Christ to eliminate evil.
Jacques de Molay was the last and best known GM of the KT during the 200 years of existence (1118 - 1314). He was elected GM in 1293 when he was 49–and served as such for the rest of his life (until 1314). Jacques served as a Knights Templar from about the age of 20. The Knights Templar were originally known as "Knights of Christ." Most GM’s and most of the Templars were French. France and the French Kings often influenced the choice of GMs. Templars used both Cavalry, skilled in archery on horseback; and Infantry, skilled in the use of axes and spears.
On 13 October 1307, Jacques de Molay was arrested by the King Philip IV of France along with 5000 other Templars in France for the fabricated charges of heresy, atheism, sodomy, blasphemy, and denial of Christ. [Since that date, Friday the 13th has been considered a very unlucky date]. All the wealth and property of the Templars were confiscated. Mysteriously, the French found virtually nothing of value. Torture caused a majority of Templars to confess. Outside of France, there was widespread disbelief of Templars’ genuine guilt.
Jacques de Molay was an earnest and religious man who attended mass faithfully. Yet, he was illiterate and unlearned in Theology. De Molay, unable to defend himself because of his ignorance in Theology, was burned at the stake on March 18, 1314 when he was over 70 years of age. His death was witnessed by King Philip IV. [Pope Clement died in April of 1314; King Philip IV died in November 1314]. The words "Momento Mori" was frequently used on tombstones during the Middle Ages to remind people of their own mortality.
Skull & Crossbones is a symbol of our own mortality–according to the author (p. 78). It became a fairly common tombstone decoration. Part of the Templar belief was that our physical bodies are transient while our souls are eternal. Early Templar ships also flew the "Jolly Roger" flag–red and white with skull and crossbones. Pirates later adopted the flag about 1700–and changed the red to black. This was done because the pirates also considered themselves fighting men.
The flag of England is the red St. George’s Cross on a white background (the Cross of the Templars). The Red Cross has been passed down through the ages as an international symbol of healing and medicine. The Red Cross on white background was used to signify the "Soldiers of Christ" to the Crusaders and Templars.
The Turin Shroud linked with the Templars since the 14th Century is kept in the Royal Chapel of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy. The Turin Shroud is an old linen cloth with the image of a man (Christ, or perhaps some think, Jacques de Molay) who appears to have been physically traumatized in a manner consistent with Crucifixion. The cloth is thought to have been smuggled away during the Templar trial.
The Ark of the Covenant is believed to be buried beneath the Chatres Cathedral in France (or Temple of Jerusalem) where it holds scriptural scrolls, treaties on sacred geometry, details of secret powerful knowledge, including art and sciences.
Sam Tish, E.H.P.