Order of the Knights Templar and the Marian Apparitions at Fatima
Defamation of Mary Magdalene
In this speculative article we aim to explore the intriguing historical and spiritual connections between the Knights Templar and the apparitions of the Virgin Mary at Fatima as well as recall the Templars’ exoneration.
By examining the dates, events, and figures involved, we theorize that the apparitions, particularly the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima on October 13, 1917, may have been a divine gesture to highlight the injustice suffered by the Templar Order.
While this interpretation invites contemplation and debate, it is grounded in a deep respect for both historical record and spiritual tradition, offering our readers a unique perspective on the correlation of faith, persecution, and redemption.
It is also important to note that the Templars held a special devotion to the Virgin Mary. Their rule, based on the Cistercian code, was infused with Marian devotion, and the Order frequently dedicated churches and chapels to her. A notable example of this devotion was evinced by the Templar headquarters on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, where they built a church dedicated to the Virgin.
Many Templar symbols, including their famed red cross, were also associated with Marian protection. Their reverence for Mary as a protector of knights and intercessor in spiritual battles speaks to the bond they shared with the Mother of Christ, making the connection between the Order and the Marian apparitions all the more worthy of exploration.
Persecution
The Order of the Knights Templar, one of the most powerful Christian military orders during the Crusades, has long been shrouded in mystery and controversy. Established in 1119, the Templars, often described as warrior-monks, were charged with the defense of Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land.
Their influence and wealth grew exponentially over the centuries, making them a formidable force in medieval Europe. For example, they were Europe’s first standing army since the fall of Rome. However, this success would also lead to their downfall, as envy and greed from secular powers, particularly King Philip IV of France (Philip the Fair) culminated in the unjust persecution of the Templars.
In 1307, King Philip, who was deeply indebted to the Templars, accused them of heresy, a plot to dissolve the Order and seize their assets. On October 13 of that year — a Friday forever marked in infamy — Templars across France were arrested. The charges, though fabricated, included heretical practices, idolatry (particularly the worship of a strange figure named Baphomet), blasphemy, and immoral behavior during their initiation rites.
Philip, with the reluctant support of Pope Clement V, orchestrated a trial that ultimately resulted in the disbanding of the Templar Order. Many members were imprisoned, tortured, and executed, most notably Grand Master Jacques de Molay, who was burned at the stake in 1314.
Exoneration
It wasn’t until 2007, more than 700 years later, that the Vatican officially acknowledged the injustice of these charges. In a stunning revelation, the Vatican released the Chinon Parchment, a document purportedly first discovered in 2001 by historian Barbara Frale in the Vatican Secret Archives. This parchment, dated 1308, detailed a secret papal investigation led by Pope Clement V into the charges against the Templars.
Contrary to the widely accepted narrative, the document revealed that Pope Clement had absolved the Templars of heresy, including the alleged worship of Baphomet, but was pressured by King Philip to suppress the Order regardless. The Church’s admission of wrongful persecution came far too late to save the Templars, but it served as a long-overdue exoneration of their name.
In light of this exoneration, it is worth considering a curious historical coincidence: the dates of the Marian apparitions at Fatima in 1917, particularly the last apparition on October 13. That Friday — the origin of the unlucky ‘Friday the 13th’ — is inextricably linked to the mass arrest of the Templars in 1307 and may not have been a coincidence at all.
The ‘Miracle of the Sun,’ witnessed by tens of thousands on October 13, 1917, was the culmination of a series of six apparitions by the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children in the Portuguese village of Fatima. The apparitions were said to bear a significant message for humanity, urging repentance and a return to God.
But could it be that Mary, who has been associated with divine interventions throughout history, was also calling attention to the long-overdue exoneration of the Templars?
At the time of the Fatima apparitions, many people still believed that the Templar Order had been rightfully suppressed because of the alleged crimes. The charges brought against them were fourfold: heresy, worship of the idol Baphomet, blasphemy, and immoral (homosexual) conduct during initiations. Each of these charges was false, as was finally proven by the Church's release of the Chinon Parchment.1
Mary of Magdala Stigmatized by the Vatican
Like Mary Magdalene, whose reputation was tarnished for centuries after Pope Gregory the Great in 591 erroneously conflated her with a repentant biblical prostitute also named Mary, the Templars suffered from a misrepresentation that persisted for centuries. It wasn't until recent times (2016) that the Vatican admitted its error concerning Mary Magdalene, just as it did with the Templars (2007).
The figure of Baphomet, in particular, played a central role in the accusations against the Templars. According to the charges, the Templars were said to worship this grotesque idol, which was often described as a figure with a goat's head (photo below). However, no credible evidence was ever found to support these accusations.
The Templars, as devout Christians, had no reason to engage in such practices, and the Chinon Parchment further refuted the allegation of idol worship. The modern image of Baphomet, popularized by the 19th-century occultist Eliphas Levi, was not an authentic representation of any idol the Templars could have venerated.
Levi’s depiction, we theorize, was inspired by the pagan archetype of Moloch, a biblical demon associated with child sacrifice and other depraved crimes against children. Moloch has been linked to Satanic forces involving children throughout history.
Thus, the entire narrative surrounding the Templar’s supposed idol worship was nothing more than a fabrication concocted to satiate King Philip’s greed and avarice.
In addition to Levi’s Satanic imagery, modern commentators such as Fr. Malachi Martin and Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò have argued that Satanic forces continue to exert influence within the highest levels of the Church.
In Martin's explosive novel Windswept House, he describes a scenario in which the Chair of St. Peter is effectively occupied by Satan, a claim echoed by Viganò, who has made similar assertions in his public critiques of the modern Church.
The purpose of these [Masonic] fifth columns has been to appropriate the authority of the Church in order to demolish it from within, using the force of the law for the opposite purpose to that which legitimizes it. Are they two churches? Of course not: one is the true Church, the other is the deep church, that is, its counterfeit, the counter-church, the anti-church of the Antichrist.2
Archbishop Viganò referring to Pope Francis as illegitimate
Both men, Viganò and Martin, argue that the infiltration of Satanic forces within the Vatican is not merely a matter of corrupt individuals but an institutional issue, with profound spiritual implications.
Interestingly, Fatima’s Third Secret, which was given to the seers on July 13, 1917, was to have been made public by the Vatican in 1960 but continues to be suppressed. The Third Secret, also called the ‘Third Prophecy,’ alleges concerns about the Vatican’s honesty and integrity.3
The Knights Templar in Portugal
Fatima is located in central Portugal about 80 miles north of Lisbon. The Knights Templar first arrived in Portugal in the 12th century, aiding in the Reconquista, the Christian effort to reclaim Iberian territories from Muslim rule. They were granted lands and properties by the Portuguese monarchy in recognition of their support.
Under extreme duress, Pope Clement V disbanded the Templar Order in 1312. However, King Dinis of Portugal ensured their legacy continued by transferring their assets and many of their members to a new order, the Order of Christ.
The Order of Christ, established in 1319, became a crucial player in Portugal’s maritime explorations. The wealth and resources of the former Templars were instrumental in financing these expeditions. Notably, Prince Henry the Navigator, a Grand Master of the Order of Christ, spearheaded many early voyages laying the groundwork for Portugal’s global empire.
The legacy of the Order of Christ, which was later secularized, is still evident in Portugal, particularly in historical sites like the Convent of Christ in Tomar, which remains a UNESCO World Heritage site and a testament to the order’s historical significance.
Redemption
The exoneration of the Templars, combined with the revelations from Fatima, point toward a broader spiritual concern — one that suggests divine forces have long been at work to expose corruption and restore truth within the Church.
Just as the Virgin Mary played a key role in calling for repentance at Fatima, it seems plausible that her choice of October 13 as the date of the Miracle of the Sun was also a subtle yet significant gesture aimed at highlighting the injustices faced by the Templars and their eventual redemption.
To reiterate, the story of the Templars is one of betrayal, martyrdom, and redemption. Though accused of heinous crimes, the truth has finally emerged after centuries of secrecy and manipulation. The Templars did not worship an idol called Baphomet, nor were they guilty of the heresies for which they were condemned. Instead, they were victims of a political ploy orchestrated by a corrupt monarch who owed the Templar Order a great deal of money.
Likewise, the idol Baphomet, which was central to their persecution, was nothing more than a fictitious creation designed to smear their reputation. In modern times, the legacy of the Templars, like that of Mary Magdalene, has been redeemed, thanks to the persistent uncovering of the truth.
Da Vinci Code
In Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, the Knights Templar are depicted as a secretive and powerful organization with a significant historical and mythological background. However, the book does not explicitly focus on their exoneration. Instead, it delves into various conspiracy theories and historical mysteries, including the Templars’ alleged guardianship of the Holy Grail and their persecution by the Catholic Church.
Brown does make it clear that Mary Magdalene was not a reformed prostitute, but rather one of Jesus’ disciples who best understood his teachings. She has been venerated as a saint since the early days of Christianity. Her feast day is celebrated on July 22nd. She is known as ‘The Apostle to the Apostles.’
In conclusion, the role of Satanic forces, as described by figures like Father Martin and Archbishop Viganò, remains a troubling aspect of the modern Roman Church. Their claims suggest that the battle for the soul of the Church is ongoing, with dark forces effectively having wrestled control.
Whether or not one subscribes to their apocalyptic vision, the historical facts speak for themselves: the Templars and Mary Magdalene were wrongfully accused and maligned, and it took centuries for the Church finally to acknowledge its mistakes.
The apparitions at Fatima may well be a divine reminder of this truth, urging us not only to reflect on the past but also to remain vigilant against the forces of darkness that continue to seek dominion over the Church and the Western world.
The story of the Knights Templar is not only one of historical injustice but also a testament to their unwavering devotion to the Virgin Mary. As both protector and intercessor in spiritual warfare, Mary has long been regarded by the faithful as a powerful shield against the forces of darkness.
The Templars, who dedicated their lives to defending the Christian faith, sought her guidance and protection in their battles, both physical and spiritual. It is fitting, then, that centuries after their persecution, Mary's apparitions at Fatima — marked by the same date as the Templars’ arrest — seem to point toward a deeper vindication of their mission and shine sunlight upon it.
Medjugorje
Today, the world faces spiritual warfare on a scale that transcends the confines of any one nation or institution. Forces that seek to corrupt, divide, and manipulate continue their assault on truth, faith, and unity. Just as the Templars once turned to Mary in their time of need, so too does humanity today find itself in desperate need of her intercession.
Returning briefly to Baphomet, of the crimes against humanity occurring in the world today, none is more alarming than those against children. I speak of child trafficking, child sacrifice, ritualistic satanic abuse (RSA), and the manufacturing of the boutique drug adrenochrome, which is harvested by torturing children.4
But whoever shall offend one of these little ones who believes in me, it would be better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depths of the sea.
Matthew 18:6
The Marian message at Fatima, echoed in her continuing apparitions at Medjugorje, calls for repentance and a return to God. Mary's role as the protector of souls and intercessor against evil reminds us that in the struggle between light and darkness, her presence continues to offer guidance and strength to those who seek it.
“Unveiling their Secrets — The Mysteries of the Knights Templar”
A lengthy yet highly recommended and well-produced documentary (2½ hours):
Chinon Parchment (Templar website)
