Knights Templar to use latest imaging in search for Grail

New Zealand Herald ^ | 01/06/03 | The Independent (?)

[mgstarr]

For centuries the intricately carved stones of Rosslyn Chapel near Edinburgh have tantalised historians, archaeologists and devoted Christians.

A labyrinth of vaults beneath the 15th-century home of the Knights Templar is reputed to contain dozens of holy relics, including early gospels, the Ark of the Covenant, the fabled Holy Grail - and even the mummified head of Christ.

More than 550 years after the first foundation stones were laid, modern technology is about to put the legend to the test.

A group of Knights Templar, successors to the warrior monks who sought asylum from the Pope by fleeing to Scotland in the early 14th century and fought for Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn, are to make a "non-invasive" survey of the land around the chapel.

They will use the latest ultrasound and thermal imaging technology in the hope of finding evidence of the existence of the vaults.

"The plan is to investigate the land around the chapel to a depth of at least 20ft," said John Ritchie, Grand Herald and spokesman for the Knights Templar.

"The machine we are using is the most sophisticated anywhere and is capable of taking readings from the ground up to a mile deep without disturbing any of the land.

"We know many of the Knights are buried in the grounds and there are many references to buried vaults, which we hope this project will finally uncover."Rosslyn Chapel, or the Collegiate Chapel of St Matthew as it was to have been, was founded in 1446 by Sir William St Clair, third and last Prince of Orkney.

Built as a celebration of Christ, it is also a monument to craftsmanship.

Bristling with flying buttresses and gargoyles in the highest Gothic style on the outside, the interior is carved with scenes from the Bible, the fall of man, the expulsion from the Garden of Eden, the birth of Christ, the crucifixion and the resurrection.

"Rosslyn is an amazing building.

[dirtboy]

Someone send a swallow to fetch these guys...

[Charles Henrickson]

A labyrinth of vaults . . . is reputed to contain . . . even the mummified head of Christ.

BZZZ!!! Sorry! Wrong answer. It's not there--or in any other vault or tomb.

He is risen.

[FateAmenableToChange]

and even the mummified head of Christ.

Actually, all the legends I've ever heard have referred to the mummified head of John the Baptist, who allegedly really was beheaded, rather than Christ who died on the cross and lives again.

But, hey, if they're going to fantasize about an ancient cult that has little more historical basis than the last Indiana Jones movie, they might as well toss some blasphemy in there too.

[RightWhale]

early gospels, the Ark of the Covenant, the fabled Holy Grail - and even the mummified head of Christ.

Baphomet, John, the other Christ. Maybe the True Cross is down there, too.

[mgstarr]

An African or European swallow?

[Charles Henrickson]

"What . . . is your quest?"

[dirtboy]

An African or European swallow?

A Monica Swallow ... oops, that's right, she didn't...

[Xenalyte]

Beat me to it. (Whadaya expect from those wacky Freemasons?)

[mg39]

An African or European swallow? Wha...I don't know. Aaaaaauuuugggghhh!

[crystalk]

The Knights, of course, knew all about America and some say the Grail is actually in Nova Scotia. [No, Virginia, not in the Money Pit, but isn't that a THOUGHT!] They had a sort of fort in the interior there...

Some also say the Grail is actually not just a silver cup, but some technological miracle device...

[Xenalyte]

But, hey, if they're going to fantasize about an ancient cult that has little more historical basis than the last Indiana Jones movie, they might as well toss some blasphemy in there too.

The Templars aren't at all fictitious. Over the last millennium, they evolved into what we now call Freemasons. (Before y'all flame me, my daddy's a Mason, and I was a Rainbow Girl; this isn't anti-Masonic bigotry, but cultural history.)

Founded in the late 1100s by what-would-become-French nobles to protect travelers on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, they outgrew their mission and became a mercenary army. They're credited with developing the credit system; they acted as bankers to the newborn European powers.

Eventually, as all non-monarchical powers, they were deemed a threat by the French monarchy, and Philippe le Bel had the Order suppressed in the 1300s, burning alive Jacques DeMolay, the head of the Order in France. (That's where the Order of DeMolay comes from today.)

I refer you to the fascinating Holy Blood, Holy Grail (authors: Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln) for more info.

I do concede that much non-historical ink has been spilt on behalf of (or in repudiation of) the Templars, but they did in fact exist.

[crystalk]

"Baphomet," is just the reverse-letter Hebrew code for "Sophia," Greek goddess of wisdom, opposed along with all Gnosticism by the mystic Templars, who BTW wanted to rebuild the Temple, so they would agree with me when I say:

MR SHARON, TEAR DOWN THOSE MOSQUES on Temple Mt.!!!

[abner]

Ping!

[Rudder]

[Diana Rose]

Ping :)

[RightWhale]

the Templars, but they did in fact exist

By Papal commission. Headquarters -- Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem.

[KC_Conspirator]

Thats silly. Everyone knows that the Ark is Ethiopia and that the Grail was lost in France. Sheesh!

[RightWhale]

TEAR DOWN THOSE MOSQUES on Temple Mt.!!!

We ought to apply our Crusading enthusiasm to more productive ends. Some acceptance of coexistence might be a plus.

[wideawake]

Baigent's book also maintains that:

(1) Christ was never crucified for our sins.

(2) Christ never rose from the dead.

(3) That Christ got married and had children and that his direct-line descendants are alive today and live in southern France.

In short, Christians should steer clear of Baigent's ridiculous, ahistorical, made-up fantasyland of a book and stick to Scripture and reputable historians.