Ripcord22A
Site Benefactor
This is from a Brother here in my Lodge.....
"Brethren,
I have been researching a new article which has brought me to an awareness (I know, here I go again) of a body called the Apostolic Johannite Church (AJC), which claims descent from teachings transmitted through the Templars (I remain, as has been the case, a skeptic on said connection until solid evidence is presented) and have been reading one of their books, "Sanctuary of the Sacred Flame" (Fr. Anthony Silvia, who is also a Freemason and Martinist) and, on p. 122, found the following:
"Of course, if you have the opportunity to attend the Johannite Gnostic Mass... that is strongly encouraged. If you are anywhere within a few hours drive I would highly recommend making an effort to visit it- at the very least on the feast days of the two Saints John, as these are especially important holidays in our tradition."
Now, Johannite Gnosticism is a rather new strain to my experience and it has to be conceded (as is done by the author on a YouTube presentation) the connection is tentative at best (he acknowledges there isn't any firm evidence) and the AJC has been around since the date, shrouded in antiquity, of the year 2000, so there isn't a sold chain of transmission there, either. However, their Templar myth has been around for quite a while as has been the tradition focusing on the Saints John. I find this interesting not because I think it shows a Templar connection to the Craft but may indicate evidence of a Gnostic one. I am not saying this constitutes proof, but this may point to the origin of the Saints as our twin patrons since (see http://catholicsaints.info/patrons-of-stone-masons/ ) neither appear as patrons in the Catholic tradition (oddly, St. Peter does and he was a fisherman). Offered for reflection and possible discussion."
Your thought BROTHERS....
"Brethren,
I have been researching a new article which has brought me to an awareness (I know, here I go again) of a body called the Apostolic Johannite Church (AJC), which claims descent from teachings transmitted through the Templars (I remain, as has been the case, a skeptic on said connection until solid evidence is presented) and have been reading one of their books, "Sanctuary of the Sacred Flame" (Fr. Anthony Silvia, who is also a Freemason and Martinist) and, on p. 122, found the following:
"Of course, if you have the opportunity to attend the Johannite Gnostic Mass... that is strongly encouraged. If you are anywhere within a few hours drive I would highly recommend making an effort to visit it- at the very least on the feast days of the two Saints John, as these are especially important holidays in our tradition."
Now, Johannite Gnosticism is a rather new strain to my experience and it has to be conceded (as is done by the author on a YouTube presentation) the connection is tentative at best (he acknowledges there isn't any firm evidence) and the AJC has been around since the date, shrouded in antiquity, of the year 2000, so there isn't a sold chain of transmission there, either. However, their Templar myth has been around for quite a while as has been the tradition focusing on the Saints John. I find this interesting not because I think it shows a Templar connection to the Craft but may indicate evidence of a Gnostic one. I am not saying this constitutes proof, but this may point to the origin of the Saints as our twin patrons since (see http://catholicsaints.info/patrons-of-stone-masons/ ) neither appear as patrons in the Catholic tradition (oddly, St. Peter does and he was a fisherman). Offered for reflection and possible discussion."
Your thought BROTHERS....