Friday, 13 October 1307
The King of France, Philip IV, Philip the Fair, issues an arrest warrant: throughout France, Templars are arrested and imprisoned. The Order is accused of heresy and other serious crimes. His aim: the end of the Templar Order. Philip wants to put an end to the power of the Templars. Accusations, testimonies and confessions are used to portray them as heretics; various statements are obtained under pressure and torture. At the same time, Philip has major financial interests: he is deeply indebted to the Templars and his treasury is empty.
To say that this was not conducted fairly is an understatement. The false accusations of crimes and heresy were never proven. Under heavy pressure from King Philip IV, Pope Clement V decided in 1312 to suppress the Templar Order by papal decree.
Philip IV did not limit his attack to France. He also exerted pressure to continue the persecution of the Templars beyond his own kingdom.
This was certainly not obeyed without resistance. In parts of Spain, Templars resisted, while in Portugal many former Templars eventually found refuge within the new Order of Christ.
However it may be, this was the beginning of the end. The end came on 18 March 1314, when the last Grand Master, Jacques de Molay, and Geoffroi de Charney, Preceptor of Normandy, died at the stake on a small island in the Seine.
Friday, 13 October 1307 and 18 March 1314 are forever linked dates in the history of the Templars.
Words of the Order
Every year on 13 October, a new Templar phrase is announced: a sentence that gives direction to the year ahead and is taken with us, carried and passed on.
An annual Templar phrase
words that march around the world
No marketing.
No push.
A whisper that becomes a movement.
Who understands it → hears it.
Who needs it → keeps it.
Who carries it → spreads it.
Here — as every year
⚔️ In memoria, in ordine, in pace.
in memory, in order, in peace.
So that they are not forgotten, so that they are honoured. In purity, as Jacques de Molay and all the other frères bore their sacrifices. In life and in death.
NNDNN
2026
do good — even when no one is watching
do the good even in the unseen
2027
Words of the Order
On 18 March, the day on which Jacques de Molay and Geoffroi de Charney met their deaths at the stake in 1314, we return to those same words.
No slogan, no campaign, no empty words. A sentence to take with us, to live by, to carry. And, when the moment comes, to pass on.
Not to read them again, not to speak about them, but to make them visible through an act.
18 March — the words are carried.
On that day, do something in which that year’s Verba Ordinis truly comes to life.
Help.
Protect.
Forgive.
Stand beside someone.
Remain faithful when looking away would be easier.
Do what the words of that year ask of you.
But do not tell what you have done.
No name.
No story.
No honour.
Whoever wishes to show that he or she has carried the words leaves only one sign:
Carried. ⚔️
And when evening falls, we light a flame in memory of those who went before us.
A candle.
A small light.
Wherever in the world you may be.
VERBA ORDINIS
In memoria, in ordine, in pace.
13 October — the words are given.
18 March — the words are carried.
For all frères throughout the world 🙏🏻