Templar Cross

The founding of the Knights Templar is shrouded in mystery, but it is known that in 1118, nine French knights pledged to protect the roads and pilgrims in Palestine from robbers and Muslims. They gave the Patriarch of Jerusalem a chastity, poverty, and obedience vow. The head of this community was the noble knight Hugo de Payne, who combined public service with severe military discipline, a monastic lifestyle with knightly rights, selfless love for one's neighbor, and military prowess.

The new community's goals were in the interests of the Franks in the East, and they received support from both spiritual and secular authorities. King Baldwin II of Jerusalem gave these knight monks a part of his palace, which adjoined the temple of King Solomon. From then on, they were known as "the poor soldiers of Christ, the defenders of the Jerusalem temple" or simply "Templars."

At Baldwin II's request, Bernard of Clairvaux also supported the Templars. He participated in the development of the Order's charter, which was approved at the Council of Troyes in 1128. Hugo de Payne was recognized as a Grand Master. The charter was based on the rules of St. Augustine, the statute of the ancient canons of the Holy Sepulcher, and the charter of the Cistercians.

A distinctive mark of the Templars was a white linen cloak with an eight-pointed bright red cross on the left shoulder, symbolizing martyrdom, and a white linen belt, symbolizing heartfelt purity. No decorations on clothing and weapons were allowed. The Templars had to avoid worldly pleasures and entertainment. In peacetime, the knight had to stay in his cell, share a standard meal, and be content with a hard bed. The Templar had to be ready to give his life for the holy faith and his companions.

However, by the beginning of the 14th century, the French king Philip the Fourth Handsome wanted to get rid of the Templars, who behaved independently and arrogantly towards the monarch on whose land they settled. In addition, Philip was well aware of the wealth of the Templars. In the early morning of October 13, the Templars were arrested, and many of them were tortured and executed.