Statutes, Principles & Regulations
O.S.M.T.J. Knights Templar, 2023.
O.S.M.T.J. Knights Templar, 2023.
Christ is Love
Christ is Life
OSMTJ,
(Statues of 2023.)
Statutes, Principles & Regulations
Statutes, Principles & Regulations
Preamble.
“The Order” : OSMTJ is organized as an ecumenical Christian organization; not for profit and no part of the earnings of the Order shall be for the benefit of any private member or individual. The Order shall not attempt to influence legislation and shall not participate in any political campaign for or against political candidates.
Art. 1.
Title of “The Order”
The name of “The Order” is “OSMTJ” which is the abbreviation for the full French name : “Ordre Souverain et Militaire du Temple de Jérusalem”, translated into Latin as : “Ordo Supremus Militaris Templi Hierosolymitani”, hereinafter also referred to as : “The Order”,
Art. 2.
OSMTJ is the regular Temple Order, worldwide, descended from the authentic Order. We are the direct heir of the Templar heritage since its formal recognition. Our Order was restored by His Imperial Majesty, Napoleon Bonaparte, by Imperial Decree in 1807. In 1853, it was given recognition by Emperor Napoleon III. In 1918, the Order was re-registered in France in accordance with French law. On January 19th, 1932, it was registered as “The Order” in Belgium, Brussels, and in 1957 as “International Order” in Belgium, Namur /BE-410 20708. This recording was done by three Belgian Templars in Belgium Brussels, Joseph Cleeremans, Gustave Jonckbloedt and Théodore Covias. The record of the registration of the “Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem” appears in the Belgian Monitor on January 20, 1933. Lastly, our Order was re-registered in Belgium, Namur, on November 15th, 1975,
Art 2.1.
Our verifiable and demonstrable family tree / lineage goes back in a straight line to 1825 at the installation of the Grand Priory of Belgium by Dr. Fabre-Palaprat ,
Art. 3.
“The Order” is a permanent part of the Temple Network : OSMTJ INTERNATIONAL witch is the umbrella body of the Internationally recognized, Regular and Legitimate OSMTJ Grand Priories distributed around the world,
Art. 4.
OSMTJ is willing to cooperate with any regular order, regardless of OSMTJ / OSMTH , as long as it involves authentic orders that can prove their origin. We do not want to participate in any internal power struggles within some orders.
Art. 5.
OSMTJ’s main task is to provide the fraternity with more structure, unity and cooperation,
Art. 6.
OSMTJ gives recognition to one National Grand Priory per Country or State. Each priory can and may continue to operate completely independently and remain fully sovereign and autonomous, without any interference, provided they observe the fundamental principles of the Historical Regulations as provided in “The Rule”.
Art. 6.1.
In any Country and/or State, a Grand Priory may be established provided it meets the basic requirements as defined by OSMTJ,
Art. 6.2.
In order to become a member of OSMTJ, these Grand Priories must provide sufficient evidence of meeting the conditions set forth,
Art. 7.
The Grand Master shall exercise direction, as well as administrative and executive responsibility over the affairs of the Order, its establishments, subordinate organizations, and members.
Art.7.1
In the event of the death or permanent and total medical disability of the Grand Master, certified by a licensed physician, the Magisterial Council shall review the medical evidence and decide by a simple majority the removal of the Grand Master. Upon the decision of the Magisterial Council the Grand Chancellor shall recommend to the Magisterial Council a candidate for the role of Regent of the Order.
Upon the selection of a Regent by the Magisterial Council, the Regent shall within six months after his’ or her’s appointment, organize and conduct an election by the Grand Priors of a new Grand Master. The Regent shall under the direction of the Grand Magisterial Council, conduct the day to day affairs of the Order until a new Grand Master is elected. Such authority may be exercised by the Regent for no longer than six months, and all actions taken by the Regent must be ratified by the Grand Magisterial Council as soon as is practicable at a meeting or by mail or electronic polling of its members at any time
Art. 7.2.
Regarding the election process for Grand Master it should comply with the following procedure:
PROCEDURES
7.2.1. Legitimacy It is a fundamental principle of modern times that any autonomous national organization of any nature is free to choose how to organize internationally with others of similar mind and aims and elect its leadership under the principles of justice, transparency and total freedom of action.
These Grand Priories are free to democratically elect their leadership and form of governance if they so wish, always keeping their legitimacy and chosen rule of law.
7.2.2. Electoral College The Electoral College is composed by the Grand Priors of the Order who will have the right to vote.
7.3.3. Auditor, The certifying Auditor shall be someone not associated to the Order and that receives no benefit whether financial or through personal interest.
The Auditor will verify that the individual Grand Prior represents the Grand Priory, according to the list previously supplied to him by the Grand Magisterial Council. The Voting Certificates can be requested by email to the Auditor, who will issue them. Only voters with the valid certificate can cast a valid vote.
Each Grand Priory represents one vote.
Candidates All Grand Priors with a Voting Certificate can also present their candidature for the position of Grand Master. The candidature should be sent to the Auditor by stating their name, Grand Priory, .
The Grand Master elect shall be the candidate with more valid votes.
7.2.4. Calendar The Electoral Calendar shall be the following: Declaration. The fist step is a Declaration that shall express the reason for the elections, the calendar to follow and the Auditors contact information. .
A period of one week shall be allowed for the electors to receive their Voting Certificates. It is also through this period that qualified voter will announce their candidacy to the Auditor. The candidates must have a Voting Certificate
The day after the voting certification period end the Auditor will announce the candidates and the list of registered Grand Priories registered to vote.
The day after the announcement the voting process will begin. This process will run for one calendar week, and can not be stopped by any reason.
The day after the voting has ended the votes will be counted. The Auditor will also use this time to prepare a declaration announcing the results of the elections.
The following day the Auditor shall make his declaration public to all the Grand Priories
Art. 7.3
The Grand Cross Officers including the National Grand Priors are appointed exclusively by the Grand Master / the Regent or the International Board. The same is valid for the awarding of the Grand Collar.
Art. 7.4.
For all other appointments, the National Grand Prior shall have full authority.
Art. 8.
Each National Grand Priory can be divided into Priories, Commanderies and local ‘houses’, over the territory of the Grand Priory,
Art. 9.
“O.S.M.T.J.” concerns a private society and community of Brothers & Sisters, and an Order of Knights, who in imitation of the historical predecessors : “The Templars”, strive for the perfection of mankind in general, and of our Brothers & Sisters in particular, by applying an ideal of Peace, Love, Nobility, Humility and Fraternity and this according to the ancient handed down tradition, taking into account the current social tendencies and developments,
Art. 10.
We consider historical, social and cultural works of study as an essential prerequisite to realize and achieve our aims of generosity, charity and fraternity, and this both on a theoretical and practical level. In doing so, we build upon the achievements and innovative work of our predecessors in the economic, spiritual, and organizational fields as a source of inspiration for the contemporary social values and standards that we wish to live up to.
Art.10.1.
We respect the historical rules of tradition and hereby respect the handed down customs, habits and rituals,
Art. 11.
We are socially representative as an Order and explicitly oppose elitism. We are composed of all layers of the population, regardless of race, sex, age, ideology and level of education. As a ‘group’ we want to be a reflection of the society in which we live and we want to devise solutions for a more prosperous world through thorough study, thinking and communication,
Art. 12.
Through our knowledge and skills, we want to work for the protection of our fellow man, the weaker in society, in general and the welfare of animals & nature and environment in particular,
Art. 13.
We consider it our special mission and duty to give help to third parties, to the poor and needy, and to undertake charitable, and to cooperate in humanitarian, actions.
Art. 14.
Through continuous and uninterrupted study and through thorough mental, intellectual and physical training we want to perfect ourselves individually. A healthy Mind in a healthy Body is our ultimate goal.
Art. 15.
We explicitly reject every form of religious warfare and oppose every form of aggression, violence and terrorism,
Art. 16.
We embrace and accept our pluralistic and multicultural society and by affirming ‘freedom of conscience’ we demand from all our members absolute respect for the views of others,
Art. 17.
We oppose all forms of injustice, oppression and discrimination and expressly oppose any form of extremism and fundamentalism
Art. 18.
We do not support any actions that would disturb peace and order in society, and we submit to the laws of the country and/or region in which we operate.
Art. 19.
The official language of the Order is English.
Art. 20. ORGANISATION
The International Board of O.S.M.T.J. is composed of three governing bodies.
THE GRAND MASTER or REGENT
is the highest Dignitary of the Order
and is referred to as His / Her “Excellency”,
THE GRAND MAGISTERIAL COUNCIL , (GMC)
(INTERNATIONAL BOARD)
which is
The Executive Committee of the Order
Composed of :
The Grand Master,
The Grand Chancellor General,
The Grand Secretary General,
The Grand Treasurer General,
The Grand Commander General
The Grand Adjudicator General
They constitute the first degree of the Councilor Board
THE GRAND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL , (GEC)
(non board members)
is the Supreme Legislative Body of The International Order
and is composed of :
The Grand Master,
The Grand Chancellor General,
The Grand Secretary General,
The Grand Treasurer General,
The Grand Commander General
The Grand Adjudicator General
The Grand Seneschal General,
The Grand Marshal General,
The Grand Bailiff General,
The Grand Scribe General,
The Grand Resourcer General,
The Grand Almoner General,
The Grand Chaplain General,
The Grand Prior Magisters,
The “Generals” (Chief Commanders / Masters)
are all Grand Cross Officers & Grand Collar Officers
and are addressed with the title His / Her Excellency
Assisted by :
The Grand Viceroy,
The Grand Historian,
The Grand Sword Bearer,
The Grand Standard Bearer,
The Grand Draper,
The Ambassador General,
The Ambassadors,
The Speaker Grand Officers,
The Speaker Grand Priors
They are the Grand Officers
and addressed with the title : Noble Brother/Sister
They all are Non-Board Officers
They constitute the second degree of the Councilor Board
They are assisted by the
National Grand Priors
All the National Grand Priors are Grand Cross Officers
and addressed with the title : His / Her Excellency
They constitute the third degree of the Councilor Board.
Art. 20.1 Other members' titles of address
THE GRAND OFFICERS
They are referred as Noble Brother/Sister.
THE OFFICERS
They are referred as Noble Brother/Sister.
THE KNIGHTS & DAMES
They are referred as Brother/Sister.
THE SERGEANTS
They are referred as Brother/Sister.
THE GUARDS
They are referred as Brother/Sister.
THE NOVICES
They are referred as Brother/Sister.
Art. 20.2. Appointments
Grand Magisterial Council
GRAND MASTER : H.E. Philippe Ghostine Matta- LEBANON.
GRAND CHANCELLOR GENERAL : Tymothy Bryant Jones - U.S.A.
GRAND TURCOPLIER GENERAL : Prior Robert - U.S.A.
GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL : +Anonymous - BRAZIL.
GRAND SENESHAL GENERAL : Father Wadih Skayem - FRANCE.
GRAND COMMANDER GENERAL : David Chachanidze - GEORGIA.
Grand Executive Council
GRAND SENESCHAL GENERAL
GRAND COMMANDER GENERAL
GRAND SCRIBE GENERAL
GRAND RESOURCER GENERAL
GRAND ALMONER GENERAL
GRAND CHAPLAIN
GRAND VICEROY
AMBASSADOR GENERAL.
AMBASSADOR EUROPE
AMBASSADOR LATIN AMERICA
SPEAKER GRAND OFFICERS
Art. 21. Ranks and Grades
“The Order” recognizes the following ranks and degrees :
LEVEL IX : MASTER / CHIEF COMMANDER / GENERAL LEVEL
GRAND CROSS OFFICERS / GRAND COLLAR
MASTER : GRAND MASTER & REGENT
MASTER : GRAND SENESCHAL GENERAL
MASTER : GRAND CHANCELLOR GENERAL
MASTER : GRAND SECRETARY GENERAL
MASTER : GRAND TREASURER GENERAL
MASTER : GRAND MARSHAL GENERAL
MASTER : GRAND COMMANDER GENERAL
MASTER : GRAND SCRIBE GENERAL
MASTER : GRAND BAILIFF GENERAL
MASTER : GRAND VISITATOR GENERAL
MASTER : GRAND SWORD BEARER GENERAL
MASTER : GRAND CHAPLAIN GENERAL
MASTER : GRAND VICAR GENERAL
MASTER : GRAND FUNCTION GENERAL
MASTER : GRAND FUNCTION GENERAL
MASTER : GRAND PRIOR MAGISTER
LEVEL VIII : GRAND COMMANDER LEVEL
GRAND OFFICERS
GRAND OFFICER : NATIONAL GRAND PRIOR
(Grand Cross/Grand Collar)
GRAND OFFICER : GRAND SENESCHAL
GRAND OFFICER : GRAND CHANCELLOR
GRAND OFFICER : GRAND SECRETARY
GRAND OFFICER : GRAND TREASURER
GRAND OFFICER : GRAND MARSHAL
GRAND OFFICER : GRAND COMMANDER
GRAND OFFICER : GRAND BAILIFF
GRAND OFFICER : GRAND VISITATOR
GRAND OFFICER : GRAND SWORD BEARER
GRAND OFFICER : GRAND CHAPLAIN
GRAND OFFICER : GRAND VICAR
GRAND OFFICER : GRAND FUNCTION
GRAND OFFICER : GRAND FUNCTION
GRAND OFFICER : PRIOR
LEVEL VII : OFFICER COMMANDERS LEVEL
COMMANDER : COMMANDER MARSHAL
COMMANDER : COMMANDER MAJOR
COMMANDER : COMMANDER INSPECTOR
COMMANDER : COMMANDER VERIFIER
COMMANDER : COMMANDER
COMMANDER : BAILIFF
LEVEL VI : OFFICER LEVEL
OFFICER : CAPTAIN
OFFICER : FIRST LIEUTENANT
OFFICER : LIEUTENANT
OFFICER : VISITATOR
OFFICER : SWORD BEARER
OFFICER : CHAPLAIN
OFFICER : VICAR
OFFICER : FUNCTION
LEVEL V : WARRANT OFFICER LEVEL
KNIGHT
LEVEL IV : PETTY OFFICER LEVEL
SERGEANT
PROVOST
GUARDIAN
LEVEL III : GUARD LEVEL
FIRST GUARD
GUARD
LEVEL II : NOVICE LEVEL
NOVICE
NOVICE
NOVICE
LEVEL I : ASPIRANT LEVEL
ASPIRANT
APPLICANT
Art.22. GRADES & DEGREES : ABBREVIATIONS
|
GRAND CROSS OFFICERS |
KGCTJ |
|
GRAND COLLAR OFFICERS |
KGOTJ (GC) |
|
GRAND OFFICERS |
KGOTJ |
|
COMMANDERS |
KCTJ |
|
OFFICERS |
KOTJ |
|
KNIGHTS |
KTJ |
Art. 23. GRAND COLLAR OFFICERS
OSMTJ INTERNATIONAL may, when deemed necessary, appoint and crown GRAND OFFICERS with a GRAND COLLAR.
“Article 39.7. – Without prejudice to the conferred Ranks & Degrees, The Order may also, exceptionally, confer the “GRAND COLLAR” on Brothers and/or Sisters Grand Officers, from the Level VIII – the Rank of : PRIOR COMMANDER and/or for “exceptional merit” for the benefit of The Order.”
Art. 24. AFFILIATES
The Order has three classes of affiliates who, not being bound by the general conditions of admission, deserve to be distinguished for their services :
We hereby set forth the following guiding principles of the OSMTJ and Grand Priory of America, in order to reaffirm the charter of our founders and to ensure that our Grand Priory is never corrupted or compromised in its principles. As the OSMTJ Grand Priory of America has entered the Third Millennium after the advent of our Lord, we hold the following articles indefeasible and central to the legitimacy and continued survival of the Grand Priory of America:
We forever dedicate ourselves to the service of our Lord Jesus Christ and the universal, Holy Christian Church that He founded. We are an ecumenical Christian Grand Priory, with admission open to all professing Christians, Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox, regardless of church affiliation or denomination. We look forward to the day when all Christian churches are once again unified, and until that time pledge ourselves to act as a bridge between the various denominations and congregations of the universal Christian church.
As a Christian Grand Priory, we singularly worship and serve our Lord Jesus Christ. We believe in God the Eternal Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost, as professed by our Lord and preached by His Apostles. We, therefore, restrict entry into the Order to baptized Christians, eighteen years of age or older, except that the sixteen-year-old or sons and daughters of Dames and Knights may also be granted full membership. We cannot hold any deities of other religions as equal to our Lord, nor grant membership in the Grand Priory to those who do.
We decry all occult beliefs and practices, declaring them to be anathema and forbidden to all those in the OSMTJ Grand Priory of America. Any Templar who engages in other than Christian worship is automatically excommunicated from the Grand Priory of America, and will be formally expelled.
As a Grand Priory, we will never embrace any sectarian cause or political party, other than concerns oaths of fealty or allegiance those countries hosting our priories. While individual knights and dames are free to hold their own opinions and to take part in the political process, they must never associate the Grand Priory with any sectarian or political cause, no matter how noble, lest this Grand Priory be identified with that cause and it detract from our holy purposes. We are dedicated to fostering the rights of Christians in all lands to worship freely, and we consider activities in support of this cause to be more spiritual than secular, as outlined in Article XII.
No officer or official in the OSMTJ Grand Priory of America will ever order a subordinate knight or dame to perform any act or duty that violates his or her conscience, or religious beliefs, to include the canon law of his or her church, or the laws of his or her country, or applicable international law.
We are bound to uphold all just and moral oaths, such as oaths of fealty, and marriage or sacerdotal vows, but no secret oath shall ever be required in the OSMTJ and Grand Priory of America. Nor will blood oaths ever be required of a member of this Grand Priory, for our Lord is the ultimate Judge of whether or not a just and moral oath has been truly kept and fulfilled. All oaths taken by a Knight Templar will be taken on the Christian Bible.
We hold, now and forever, that neither titles nor ranks shall ever be for sale, nor will entry into the Grand Priory of America ever be dependent upon any person’s financial or social status. Nor will any knight or dame ever be dismissed from the Grand Priory or held in contempt for the inability to pay donations or obligations. Neither shall any priory nor other governing body of our organization ever levy involuntary assessments on any knight or dame. As the true and spiritual descendants of the original “Poor Knights of Christ,” we will never value money or other material things over humble service to our Lord.
The OSMTJ and Grand Priory of America and its members will respect all state and national laws of the United States of America. We claim no sovereignty. All priories that make up the Grand Priory of America shall recognize and honor those officers elected to serve as the governing body of the Grand Priory.
In the case that any member violates this Declaration, the statutes of the Grand Priory of America, or the bylaws of the priory itself, in that such a person may have departed from Templar principles and operates in such a manner as to bring dishonor and discredit upon our Grand Priory, that person will be expelled from our Grand Priory.
We recognize all other legitimate Knights Templar Orders, and we seek to ally ourselves with other true Knights Templar Orders, but we do not recognize, nor admit the existence of any Templar Order with a superior claim to that of our own.
The Grand Priory of America may, from time to time, select a Royal or spiritual Protector for the Grand Priory, and shall pay homage to the same; however, the selection of a Royal or spiritual protector will not imply or express an elevation of the protector’s church over any other church body. We also hereby ordain that all members of the Grand Priory shall render the proper respect to all Christian churches and their lawful clerics and leaders, and will never seek to cause division or schism in the Grand Priory due to theological differences between the various churches and their congregations. We also give grateful thanks to the churches that have assisted this Grand Priory in its time of need.
Whereas the Knights Templar were originally founded to protect the Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land, we hold as one of our most sacred duties to be an advocate for the right of Christians to worship freely wherever they may reside or travel, and we will not rest until all Christians are accorded this basic God-given right. We hereby pledge our knightly honor as defenders of the faith, as we pray that our Grand Priory may once again fulfill its charge to guard the sacred places in the Holy Land.
The OSMTJ and Grand Priory of America will never reject any postulant on the basis of race, sex, ethnic origins, nationality, social, economic, or educational status, political creed, or Christian tradition. We hold that in addition to being a baptized Christian and a person of good character, the chief criterion for acceptance will be the postulant’s willingness to serve the Grand Priory faithfully and without thought of recompense. We similarly hold that no postulant has an automatic right to join the Grand Priory, but must be accepted by the membership of the priory to which he or she has applied, and meet the standards established for membership in the Grand Priory.
We hold that beneath our white mantles that we are all humble servants of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we forever mandate that all male and female knights shall be co-equal in this Grand Priory and that no office, title, or rank shall ever be debarred a Knight Templar on the basis of sex, ethnicity, social or financial status, or Christian tradition.
We will remember the brave and valorous Knights Templar who were martyred in the name of our Lord, and who were unjustly imprisoned, tortured, and burned at the stake on the orders of an Unchristian King.
Membership in the OSMTJ Grand Priory of America conveys no social titles such as “Sir.” Instead, Christian men who join the organization are termed “Knights” with the honorific title of chevalier, and females are termed “Dames” with the honorific title of Chevaleresse (or Chevalière).
The OSMTJ and Grand Priory of America will forever hold sacred the five indefeasible rules of our Grand Priory:
(1) The Temple and Service thereof, for we are the spiritual descendants of the original Nine Knights of the Order, who first held their conclaves in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, and we look forward to its rebuilding;
(2) the Love of Meditation, for we must continually look into our own souls, and ask ourselves if we are truly following in the footsteps of the Master;
(3) Discipline, for the principles laid down for the Grand Priory by our patron saint, Bernard of Clairvaux, are still valid today, and we must remember that we are standard-bearers for our faith, and never forget that in all personal choices we set an example, whether good or bad;
(4) Knightly Combat, for the Blood Red Cross that we wear reminds us that sacrifices are often required of the faithful, and we must always be willing to battle the forces of evil in the spiritual realm. Today’s Templars are faced with a spiritual battle instead of a physical one.
(5) Brotherhood and Sisterhood, in that each day we must help our brethren, for one day our Lord shall ask us, “Where is thy brother and thy sister?”; and on that day we shall have to give an account of ourselves. We must not accept reward, but always be pillars of the Temple, for all the Grand Priory holds for us is the opportunity to flee the sins of the world, to live charitably, to be penitent, and above all, to be the humble servant of Almighty God.
In this, our Holy mandate, to further the aims of Christianity and our Grand Priory, and in particular, to enable the Holy Christian Church to carry out the Great Commission, we pledge our lives, our souls, and our knightly honor.
We, the undersigned members of the OSMTJ, representing all the priories in the Confederation, hold that this indefeasible Declaration will henceforth serve as the guiding principles of our Grand Priory, and we declare that any Templars, priories, or governing bodies that depart from them have forfeited their knighthoods and right to be known or called members of the OSMTJ. Let those who violate these principles and bring dishonor to this Grand Priory be summarily expelled, but let those who hold these principles dear and who wish to glorify our Lord be forever known as faithful Knights Templar, and may our Lord give them strength and courage to endure to the end.
Therefore we, the OSMTJ and Grand Priory of America, dedicate this Declaration to our most holy Lord Jesus Christ, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and no secrets hidden. We hereby submit ourselves to our Lord, and pray that He will cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of His Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love and faithfully serve Him, and worthily magnify His greatness and holiness, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
We also pray that we, the OSMTJ and Grand Priory of America, may find our inheritance in the Kingdom of God with all the holy knights and saints who have found favor with our Lord in ages past.
O God, the protector of all who trusts in You, without Whom nothing is strong, nothing is noble, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us Your mercy; that, with You as our Ruler and Guide, we may so pass through things temporal; that we lose not the things eternal; that we are Knights Templar worthy of our charges and oaths, and that we fearlessly battle evil in the spiritual realm; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, all honor and glory are yours, Almighty God and Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
May the Lord Bless you.
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