About the Order

The Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (Lat. Ordo Supremus Militaris Templi Hierosolymitani — OSMTH, Magnum Magisterium branch) is a traditional, Christian, independent and strictly non-political chivalric association, acting on principles of lawfulness and openness.

In its inner spiritual life the Order rests on historical acts and succession:

• the Latin Rule, written by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1129);
• the Charter of Transmission (Carta Transmissionis), issued by the 24th Grand Master Jean-Marc Larmenius on 13 February 1324;
• the General Statutes adopted at Versailles in 1705;
• the Statutes of 1947 and subsequent decrees adapted to the norms of the modern age.

The Order honours the memory of, and is the spiritual successor to, the ancient chivalric brotherhood founded in the Holy Land in 1118–1119.

Legal, political and financial status

The work of the Regional Magistracy and of the Great Priory of Russia within it is built on full independence and strict observance of the law of the Russian Federation:

• Outside politics. The organisation is not a political party or movement. It takes no part in political activity, pursues no political aims and supports no political forces either at home or abroad.
• Financial independence. The organisation receives no financial, material or other assistance from foreign states, foreign organisations or foreign nationals. All statutory, educational and charitable work is funded solely by voluntary contributions of members and donations within the Russian Federation.
• Openness. The Order has no connection with Freemasonry or with esoteric or secret societies. Its activity is fully transparent.

Spiritual foundation: the Orthodox wing of the Order

The Order is open to Christians who profess officially recognised Christian confessions. At the same time the Regional Magistracy on our canonical territory historically took shape and acts as a predominantly Orthodox wing of the Order. In its educational and social work the Magistracy relies entirely on the spiritual and moral values traditional for Russia, on cultural heritage and on the ideals of Christian charity.

Structure and succession of the jurisdiction

The development of our structure reflects a path of spiritual succession and recognition within traditional chivalric institutions:

• Foundation (1993). The Grand General Priory of Russia “of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Virgin Mary of Jerusalem, Queen of Heaven” was established on 20 August 1993 by Edict of Grand Master Dom Fernando de Sousa Fontes.
• Present status of the Regional Magistracy. In the course of the natural growth of the structure and the expansion of its inner work, by decision of the reigning 52nd Grand Master Dom Albino Rodrigues Neves Filho the jurisdiction was granted the status of Regional Magistracy.

The Regional Magistracy is the independent and lawful guardian of the tradition on its territory, coordinating the inner life of the Order, the defence of Christian values and works of mercy under the omophorion of Grand Master Dom Albino Neves.