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ABOUT US
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F.A.Q.
- (Frequently Asked Questions)
"What can the Order do for me?" - Wrong question. Membership in our Order means a
commitment to collaborate in the Order's charitable efforts. Membership does
not provide an opportunity for solipsistic admiration and self-glorification,
in accordance with the famous Templar motto "Non nobis, Domine, non
nobis, sed nomini Tuo da gloriam" (Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to
Your Name give glory).
"Who are the members of the Order?" - Full membership is
open to any Christian man or woman of good will and who has demonstrated a
sustained and outstanding commitment to public service. This could be an
honorable record in the Armed or Police forces, a distinguished career in
public service or education, accomplishment in the arts and sciences, a
history of dedicated volunteer work. Many of our members are in public
office, including the clergy, or in the liberal professions. However, service
and dedication are by no means limited to the so-called "elite."
Frequently people with more unassuming professions and homemakers prove to be
true bastions of civility, decency and dedication in our society. These
silent heroes have a place of honor among us. Among the most prominent
members of the Order there are several Congressmen, the Sergeant-at-Arms of
the US Congress, former counsellors to the President of the USA, a former
Attorney-General of the USA, members of the European High Aristocracy, heads
of Scottish clans, Bishops of the Anglican, Lutheran and Orthodox Churches,
diplomats and officials of several countries, of the United Nations or of
intergovernmental organisations, and over one hundred Admirals and Generals
in several countries.
"How can I become a member?" – Membership to the Order
is by Invitation only. If you feel that you satisfy our high standards then
please initially contact us by email and we will be happy to speak to you
further about the membership process detailed on the Membership Requirements
Page.
“Don't you all have rather weird (closed to public) ceremonies and
weird belief systems?” – Our ceremonies and teachings are
ecumenical Christian in nature. The Order has a number of linkages with
Senior Christian Religious Leaders worldwide. We welcome you to attend as a
visitor as our ceremonies are open to the public.
"Will you teach me your secrets if I am allowed to join?" -
There are no secrets! Please beware of ANY Templar organisation that offers
you secret teachings or knowledge in return for membership or fees!
“What is your connection to Rosslyn Chapel?” - We have
previously enjoyed a warm and growing relationship with Rosslyn Chapel Trust.
The new Management of RCT have asked us to indicate that we have no formal
relationship with the Chapel, which we are happy to do. We look forward to
the day when Orders of Chivalry are once again allowed to use the Chapel for
Christian Investitures.
“Is the Order in Scotland a Nationalistic Order?” - No, the
individual's political allegiance is left to their own conscience. All we ask
of our Members is that their Political Beliefs remain outside the door of the
Order so that Members can enjoy the Harmony whilst conducting Templar
activities.
"What about the other Chivalric Knight Templar Orders in Scotland,
how do I know who is the correct one?" - The one question that will separate
the 'Order' from all other Scottish Templar bodies is: "Do you have
Special Consultative Status from the United Nations?" We can answer
positively, all others cannot! All Scottish Chivalric Knight Templar
organisations are modern creations and have no direct link to the Original
Knights Templars. You should be cautious of any Templar organisation that
tries to claim it is directly descended from the Original Order.
"Where is your lineage from?" - The Commandery of St. Clair,
No S1. Edinburgh, Scotland was properly Chartered on August the 19th, 2006 by
the Grand Priory of France (GPFT), OSMTH. The Inauguration took place in
Rosslyn Chapel with at least 3 Knights Grand Crosses and Officers of the
International Order (OSMTH) as witnesses. Being Part of OSMTH International
we can trace our lineage back to Fabré-Palaprat Order (SMOTJ) to 1804.
"Do the Scottish Knights Templar have the real stone of
Destiny?" - There is a group of Scottish Templars who have
"Bailey Gray's" Fake Stone of Destiny that used to be in his Shop
window. (Bailey Gray was the stonemason who hid, and repaired, the
Westminister stone when it was stolen by Scottish Nationalists in the 1950s.
Bailey used the fake in the shop window as a publicity stunt). Once the
Westminister Stone was recovered the fake dissappeared but re-appeared in
Parliament Sq in Edinburgh in 1972. The Rev John Nimmo took ownership of the
stone until his Dundee Lochee Church closed and then the stone was moved to a
Scottish Knight Templar Church at Dull, Aberfeldy. On the sale of this Church
the fake stone was moved around the country and its current whereabouts are
unknown. The Westminister stone was moved to Scotland in 1996 and by Historic
Scotland's own admittance, "The left foot wear on one side of the stone
appears to reflect its use as a step in a cylindrical staircase!"
Historians will tell you that the real stone of Scone was probably black in
colour. This stone has never been found!
"Is the Organisation an Order of the Catholic Church?" - No.
Our members hail from different Christian denominations and the Order is an
ecumenical organisation.
"Are Templars Freemasons?" - No, our Order is not a Masonic
organisation, but we have no issues with Christian Freemasons applying for
Membership.
"Can a Hindu become a member?" One of the cultural aims of
the Order is to represent and defend the values of the Christian
civilisation. Accordingly, full membership is open to Christians. It is
important to stress, though, that we consider the Christian civilisation as
one among many great civilisations worthy of preservation, not one
necessarily superior to all others. Accordingly, we appreciate and cherish
the contribution of non-Christian friends and supporters, true companions on
our road.
"Are Templar groups hideouts for spies?" - Among the many
groups claiming a Templar identity, born of the romantic revival of
Templarism, there have been undeniably some groups that served as cover-ups
for covert and questionable operations. One of the fundamental tenets of our
Order is that its members must be good and law-abiding citizens, of course
with the proviso that the laws be compatible with their Christian values and
with human rights in general.
"Is the Order an esoteric cult?" - Absolutely not. The neo-Templar
world counts hundreds of small and large organisations, ranging from
gastronomic societies and university student fraternities to organisations
dedicated to the study and teaching of mystical-esoteric disciplines. There
are indeed esoteric sects that also claim a Templar identity, but our Order
has nothing to do with that. Our Order is inspired by and based on the
chivalric and spiritual-ethical aspect of Templarity.
"How can I, a common citizen, be a member of an Order? Don't I have
to be an aristocrat?" - Membership of our Order requires dedication
to service. Although some of our members are members of the aristocracy, a
nobiliary title is NOT a requirement of membership. Conversely, membership in
the Order does not mean that one receives any nobility title. In fact, the
appellation "Knight" and "Dame" are the traditional
appellatives used in the Order as a reminder that our members commit
themselves to chivalric behaviour. They should not be confused with the
titles bestowed by Sovereign powers.
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Jacques De Molay,
23rd Grand Master
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