Templar Mass Was an Adaptation of a Catholic One

We do not know – and most likely will never know – how the Ark Templar religion worked. What were its dogmas, practices, rituals, etc. However, we can reconstruct all of the above with acceptable accuracy – using facts, logic and common sense.

Hugh and his followers converted to Unitarian (Arian) Christian heresy from Catholicism so it would be reasonable to assume that they took the traditional Catholic Mass and adapted it to the dogmas of their new religion (taking away all references to Christ as God).

The Ark Templar Mass was conducted in a secret underground chapel – sufficiently secret to keep the Templars safe from the ecclesiastical and secular authorities. It was celebrated by a High Priest – always a different individual from the Grand Master of Knights Templar.

The Mass was attended by all 12 members of Ark Templar – there was no Holy of Holies (or any other elements of Jewish worship for that matter). There was no altar – the High Priest faced the Ark of the Covenant with his back to his brethren.

Introductory Rites probably stayed the same (minus all references to Christ as God) it is also possible that the Creed of Ark Templar (abridged Nicene Creed with all references to Christ and Holy Spirit as God removed) followed the Introductory Rites rather than the homily (as is the case in the Catholic Mass).

Liturgy of the Word now included readings from Old Testament only and was followed by a Liturgy of the Eucharist. I am confident that they kept the Holy Communion – only interpreted as remembrance of the First Coming of Christ – not as His body and blood (that’s the way Protestants see it).

Again, the Liturgy of the Eucharist was most likely adapted from classic catholic one – with all references to Christ as God removed. As were the Concluding Rites. I am pretty sure that Hugh and his followers kept the Rite of Penance – again removing all references to Jesus Christ (and the Holy Spirit) as God.

To keep confessions in house, I am confident that Hugh recruited a priest – or even two Catholic priests – into the initial twelve (in addition to himself and to nine knights who obtained the Ark of the Covenant – and then founded the order).

The “Templar Rite” was undoubtedly designed by Hugh of Champagne (but kept in an oral form – putting it on paper would have been suicidal). Bernard of Clairvaux was most likely aware of these heretical activities but did not interfere.

Because he knew that this heresy was not a threat to the Church – or to heretics.