Knights of the Order of the Holy Cross?

Last weekend we had a totally refreshing and inspiring weekend in the small town of Tomar, about 2 hours away from Lisbon.

We had just finished language exams the previous week, and we just needed to get away and get our heads cleared. Some friends from the Lisboa Matrix, an Englsih language fellowship based in Cascais, were going there on a prayer retreat so it seemed like a great opportunity to join them there.

Quiet and sleepy, and steeped in history, the narrow streets of Tomar are overshadowed by a majestic medieval castle that stretches across the skyline. It's chief claim to fame is that it was the last stronghold of the Order of the Knights Templar before it was disbanded in 1314. My curiosity aroused, I had to research more on this mysterious medieval order, and found it to be formed as a band of brothers dedicated to the protection of the honour of Christ against the forces of darkness. At the time throughout Europe, of course, the struggle was between Christianity and Islam. The town of Tomar stood near the frontier in Portugal between the area controlled by the Christian King Afonso and the region controlled by the Muslim Moors.

Walking and praying through the cobbled streets and in the well laid out parks, brought to mind the fact that in the spiritual realm, we belong to a kind of Order of Knights as well. Maybe we're not out doing battle on silver steeds and in shiny armour but, we are, in a sense, a worldwide community of brothers and sisters dedicated to upholding the honour of the name of Christ and pushing back the darkness wherever it is to be found. And the Bible backs this idea up. Having already rescued us from the kingdom of darkness, and transferred into the kingdom of His son, (1) God has given us spiritual authority and power to tear down strongholds, and break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God in a fully personal way (2) . And to do is in the spirit and gentleness of Christ himself

Interestingly it was that old hymnwriter Saint Bernard of Clairvaulx who was one of the chief exponents and defenders of the military activity of the Knights Templar. In his writings, he can at one and the same time write of these knights as "truly fearless and secure on every side, for their souls are protected by the armour of faith just as their bodies are protected by armour of steel. Doubly armed and neither fearng demons nor men" and yet at the same time was able also to pen such words of gentle comfort as these

"Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills the breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest."


(1) Colossians 1:13
(2) 2 Corinthinas 10:4