1st National Chapter: Commandery of Johannesburg
Templar history was made in South Africa on the evening of November 7th 2004, with the official establishment and consecration of the first O.S.M.T.H. (Order of the Knights of the Temple of Jerusalem) Commandery in Johannesburg.
The Commandery, named "St. Bernard of Clairvaux", is the only one of its kind in South Africa, representing the first official penetration of O.S.M.T.H. into the African continent.
The Commandery was established as part of the First National Chapter of the Grand Priory of Italy, Commandery of Johannesburg. The National Chapter, attended by over 20 invited guests and lasting almost 90 minutes, was held at the beautiful Kyalami Castle in Johannesburg.
The National Chapter was officially opened by the Grand Chancellor of the Grand Priory of Italy, Br. Paolo Nicola Corallini-Garampi, who was assisted by Br. Sergio Siniscalchi and Br. Christian Pacella.
During the National Chapter, four significant events took place: the consecration of the new Commandery in Johannesburg, the Blessing of the Templar flags, the investiture of three Templar Knights and two Templar Dames, and the receiving of the Grand Templar Blessing.
A highlight of the ceremony was a brief introduction to the Templar Order provided by Br. Paolo Nicola Corallini-Garampi. As Br. Corallini-Garampi explained, there are three main themes on which the Templar Order affirms its identity and that represent their objectives: cultural, as the revaluation of medieval and Templar world; of charity, initiating programs planned specifically to bring aid to the needy; and formative, meaning the development of a diverse cultural sensibility towards the fundamental themes of the civil society in which we live.
Br. Corallini-Garampi added that O.S.M.T.H. is an International Order, and in fact in May 2001 O.S.M.T.H. received acknowledgment from the United Nations as the sole International Templar Order, and cohort for social activities.
The Templar Order is neither a sect nor a monarchic brotherhood, nor a club for promoting socializing, nor does it consent the development of business transactions, but is an organization of which members are a part of a single body expressing an unique - and especially moral - behaviour.
The Order is "transparent" (no secret list or occult members), "ecumenical" (the Templar message is for all keen people and that have divine conviction), and against any manifestations which discriminates social, sexual, religious, and racial intolerances.
Preparations for the establishment of the Commandery began in March 2004 when Br. Christian Pacella, the first South African to become a Templar Knight under the Grand Priory of Italy, was given the rank of Commander, and entrusted with the introduction of the Templar Order in Southern Africa.
Eight months of preparation culminated in an incredible evening, with a powerful ceremony providing an insight into the rituals that define the Templar Order. The ceremony was followed by a dinner, hosted by the Commandery of Johannesburg at the Kyalami Castle, during which the Templar bond between new and existing Templar Knights and Dames was further strengthened.
From left to right: Br. Stuart Smith, Br. Richard McNeill, Br. Christian Pacella (Commander, Commandery of Johannesburg), Br. Paolo Nicola Corallini Garampi (Grand Chancellor, Grand Priory of Italy), Sr. Michelle Kruger, Sr. Venetia Connors, Br. Anesh Chaggan, Br. Sergio Siniscalchi (Seneschal, Grand Priory of Italy).
Non nobis Domine, non nobis, sed Nomini Tuo da gloriam