Dear Knights, Stricte Observance Templière (SOT) Meeting.
Huge thanks to all that worked so hard to make three wonderful meetings today: Kassy Parker, Cat Le-Huy, Carsten Rinne, Finian Heavey, Joseph Gurney, Steven Parker and you all, with Jacqui & Paul Wilson for the buffet.
17 attended with 6 apologies. Finian & Sally Heavey joined the SOT with Elizabeth Adebutu-Kensington, Lynda Whall, Lisa Morris and Nick Clifton as Candidates.
The Alms Collection was £122.
The Stricte Observance Templière (SOT), often abbreviated as the "Strict Observance", emerged in the mid-18th century in Europe as a distinctive Masonic Rite. It is particularly notable for its assertion of a direct lineage to the medieval Knights Templar, suggesting that the roots of modern Freemasonry can be traced back to the Templars.
Key points about the Stricte Observance Templière:
Origin: The rite was founded in the 1750s by Baron Karl Gotthelf von Hund. Hund maintained that he had been initiated into the "True Templar" Masonry, which formed the cornerstone of the rite's beliefs.
Structure: Emulating the Templar Order, the rite presented a hierarchical system. Members would ascend through various degrees, each distinguished by its unique rituals and teachings.
Claims: Central to the Stricte Observance's teachings is the notion that following the dissolution of the Knights Templar in the early 14th century, surviving Templars found refuge in Scotland, eventually laying the groundwork for Freemasonry as we know it.
Influence: During its peak, the rite saw widespread adoption, especially in Germany, and significantly influenced the evolution of Masonic thought.
Controversy: The Stricte Observance's assertion of a Templar link has been a point of contention. Internal debates regarding its authenticity and the rite's future trajectory were frequent.
Current Status: While the rite faced decline by the late 18th century due to internal divisions, skepticism about its Templar origins, and challenges from other Masonic groups, it has seen a resurgence. Today, the Stricte Observance Templière is accessible through the Grand Lodge of Modern Mixed Masons (GLMMM), offering a pathway for those interested in its rich traditions and teachings.
The Stricte Observance Templière represents a significant chapter in Masonic history, intertwining the legacies of the Knights Templar with Freemasonry. With the support of the GLMMM, its traditions and teachings remain accessible to a new generation of Masons.
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