“Did these documents truly exist, or were they just an invention of Rashi?” Paul asked in doubt.
“An invention, of course! Take the Gospels, for instance. Aside from the four Gospels endorsed by the Church, there are many other documents narrating the story of Jesus, which were not accepted in the biblical canon, but are published nowadays. They are called Apocrypha, and it means hidden.
“We know, for a fact, that some were written by Gnostics, who were divided into two branches: the dualists and non-dualists. The non-dualists were Christians and their stories about Jesus Christ were spiritual. The Gospel of the Magdalene, the Gospel of Philip, the Gospel of Thomas, and the Gospel of Marcion are cogent examples. The dualists, on the other hand, pretended to be Christians, and claimed to know the true story of Christ. In fact, their tales closely resembled the story written by the Jews in the Talmud. This is known as the Panthera issue. Many other narratives existed, written by different people, like the Quelle documents, most probably issued by the Galileans, and are, to a certain degree, similar to those of the non-dualist Christian Gnostics. There are many, many others, too.”
“You mentioned the Gospel of the Magdalene,” Paul pointed out. That should be interesting! he thought. “What does it recount… anything about the tale of the pretended family?” he asked eagerly.
“Nothing… nothing at all. It is a purely spiritual book. It describes the spiritual and human relation of Jesus and Mary Magdalene; a liaison between a spiritual teacher, a divine man, and one of his favorite disciples.”
“So… it was Rashi who created that fable, to manipulate the Templars for his own interest!” Nabil concluded in a patent tone of relief.
“It might very well be the case. Of course, Rashi did not reveal to those Christian Knights, what the Jews, back then, truly believed, for, in the Talmud, they wrote an odd story on the life of Jesus, known as the Sepher-Toledoth-Yeshu!”
“I’m anxious to hear it. What does it say?” Nabil exclaimed impatiently.
Paul felt the same keenness, but remained outwardly collected, he moved away from the window, went back to his winsome chair, and took a seat, waiting for Dr. Najem to proceed.
“Well, around the 2nd and 10th century AD, the Jewish community started to circulate, clandestinely, of course, four documents on the life of Jesus. They organized them in a very clever way, to compete with the Christian Gospels. The Jews, however, still consider them genuine, even today. In fact, authenticity lacks in those documents, which only depict a falsified version of the life of Jesus. They narrated that, in the era of the second Temple, at the time of King Herod II, there lived a Jewish man of the house of David, by the name of Joseph Ben Pandera, and his beautiful wife, called Myriam (Marie).
“Joseph had a neighbor, by the name of Yohanan; an impious outlaw and adulterous man, who lusted after Joseph’s wife. One night, in the month of Nissan (April), Joseph left home, at midnight, to perform his religious studies. Yohanan, spotting him leaving home, entered the house, and found Marie sleeping. He forced himself on her. In the darkness, Myriam assumed him to be her husband, driven crazy by his desire to sleep with her, while on her menstrual period.” He paused for a moment, in which his features expressed repulsion, at the evident malice behind the story the Jews circulated.
“Early, the next morning,” Dr. Najem continued his narration, “When her husband returned home, she reprimanded him for his wild deed of the night before. Joseph at once suspected Yohanan; a man accustomed to frequent prostitutes, as stated in the Talmud. Anyway, the story carried on that Marie got pregnant, and Jesus was born, a bastard son of Yohanan, the impious man, and Myriam, a woman of sin! Joseph, her husband, who could not tolerate the impact of humiliation and shame, left Jerusalem for Babylon. Yet, in another version of the four documents, we find that Yohanan was the husband and Joseph, the impious man, who committed adultery with Marie. These documents were later known as the Gospel of the Ghetto,” he ended with a deep breath.
“Another crazy story, indeed!” Paul protested aloud. “Why this nonsense?”
“Right!” Nabil joined in with the same outraged attitude. “If they claimed the illegitimacy of the baby Jesus, then why should they claim to care about his Royal Blood?”
“Exactly. This is another contradiction! Believe me, it is just nonsense,” Professor Michel stepped into the discussion. “In 1139, Pope Innocent II declared that the Knights Templar should be held liable to the Papacy, and from that time onward, the Templars became the bankers of the Papacy; bankers with a hidden agenda, in a relationship based on their own interests. They played their game well by keeping in good terms with the power in Rome, and concealing their true goal from the Tiara. Successful bankers for the Catholic Church they proved to be, as the European nobility and Royalty gradually increased their wealth. During that whole time, the campaigns of the Crusades persisted, one after another, while the Templars deceitfully acquired thousands of acres of lands, which had belonged to the nobility under the European Feudal system, where they had flourished.”
Professor Michel took his time, drinking his cup of tea, as they waited patiently for him, to pursue his recounting of such an interesting story. Hooked on his gestures, Paul held his breath.
As if reading Paul’s mind, the Professor grinned at him, then reverted to his serious stance, and continued, “Their banking system was based on issuing loans to individuals and governments all over Europe. They created a complex system for the transportation of wealth—to and from—the Holy Land. They also came up with a payment system, similar to the modern use of banking checks, where people could deposit their money with the Templars in one place, and retrieve it from another location. This method proved easier and safer than transporting large amounts of gold or silver. In short, the Temple became—or perhaps was secretly designed to become—a Bank with a treasury safe, the Sanctum Sanctorum that preserved the Golden Ark, from which manna was created, and… in money, they lavishly put their trust!” Here, he paused, looking at Paul, who was amazed at the shrewdness of such a secret scheme.
Dr. Bechara, with a cigar between his fingers, took over, in his husky voice, “Their goal of building a Temple in Jerusalem—to consecrate to Solomon and then turning it into the Metropolis of the Universe—became an attainable vision. Controlling the commercial route between the East and the West appeared to be a manifestation of their Empire. In time, their greedy objectives made them extremely wealthy and very powerful. However, their arrogance and contempt towards the traditional Christian—religious and social—institutions slowly began to emerge from concealment. In 1291 AD the Crusades ended with the fall of all the Holy places in Palestine, in the hands of the Arabs. The Dream of the Templars and all the other allied secret Orders—like the Priory of Zion—to rebuild the Temple, and restore the Ark of the Covenant, vanished forever,” he concluded.
It was never there, anyway… just a myth, Paul mulled over the incongruity of such a disillusion.
“After their defeat,” Dr. Bechara resumed, “The Templars moved to the island of Cyprus where they established their base, in hopes of another Crusade that would restore their dream. At that particular time, the Christian Church in Rome, goaded by strong suspicions, became allied to the Kingdom of France, and conducted a secret scrutiny of the Templars. Soon enough, the real identity and aim of the Order were uncovered, and that happened at the crucial moment in time in which these heretics had plotted to defeat Christianity and Monarchy. Since the Crusades had ended, irrevocably, the Church did not hesitate. Pope Clement V and his ally, King Philip le Bel—Phillip the Fair—of France delivered their verdict throughout France and Europe, arresting and imprisoning, in October 1307, a large number of Knights, including Jacques de Molay—the Grand Master. In January 1308, the British King, Edward II, followed suit, and ordered the arrest of the Templars in Britain.” He thoughtfully paused, and then added, “On the 18th of March, 1314, King Philip ordered Jacques de Molay—Grand Master of the Knights Templar—and
Geoffroy de Charnay—Grand Superior of Normandie—to be taken to the ‘île aux Juifs’ (‘île des Juifs’), later known by the name of ‘île des Templiers’. It was there, in that very ancient isle on the Seine, in Paris—located on the western part of ‘l’île de la Cité’—where the two Knights met their deaths, the next morning, burnt alive at the stake.”
Dr. Bechara then explained that the trial had actually begun two years earlier, in 1312, in France, although the Templars had been arrested five years before. And then he read from an ancient book he had placed on the side table next to him some of the accounts brought by the Church and Monarchy, against the Order, for its dissolution:
“Item 1: The Templars possess idols in every province. They call them heads, having sometimes one, two, or even three faces.
“Item 2: The Templars venerate the head in their assemblies and especially in their grand chapters, or lodges, as their god and savior.
“Item 3: The head has carbuncle-eyes, shining brightly, as if from Heaven, which makes them believe it a god, their supreme god.
“Item 4: The head has half a beard on its face and another half from behind. It is a repugnant thing.
“Item 5: The Templars believe the head will give them power, allow them riches, make miracles, generate food, and let herbs grow in the desert.”
“However, the most imperative item, the main charge leveled against them,” Dr. Najem took over, “Said that during the Initiation ceremony, the aspirant was asked to deny Christ thrice, and to spit thrice upon the cross! The Templars, known as Knights of Christ, were, in reality, a disgrace to the title they endorsed. By denying Christ, they showed naught but a complete dedication to an Order, carrying the fingerprints of an even older religion.” He paused for a thought, “Anyway, whether the Templars—or their direct descendants, the Scottish Freemasons—conducted such rituals in their secret chapters—worshipping the Devil in the shape of a goat, the Baphomet—or not, they certainly did not consider Christ, as the Christian word, or the son of God, as preached by Christianity. Entirely misguided, they avoided mentioning the Christian Master in their Lodges, and confined their knowledge entirely to the Old Testament. Whether or not Jesus Christ was the son of God in the real sense of the word, a human mind could not conceive of a person, better than him, to hold that Highly Majestic, Spiritual lore.”
“Know this, my brothers,” Dr. Najem declared, loud and clear, “The head the Templars venerated as their savior, their Messiah, was none other than Rashi, a Hebrew name that means: head. Indeed, he was the head of the Kabalistic tradition of the Templars. Know this also, brothers, the Temple of Solomon Ben Daoud never existed, but the Templars of Solomon Ben Isaac did.”
Time stood still on this incredible fact…
Paul looked at the handsome clock on the wall; it was getting close to 06:25 PM. Time had flown by, inadvertently. He went outside the Fortress, and silently watched the Horizon… perfectly aligned with the sea.
Part IV
.29.
Keepers of the Word
Thursday, November 4, 10:35 PM
The evening was far advanced when Paul joined the Keepers, once again, in the Living Room. They had already had dinner more than two hours ago, and Dr. Najem told him, as they left the table, that tonight’s meeting was of great importance. As he imagined, the four brothers waited for him at the Round Table.
“Here you are! Come in, have a seat,” Dr. Najem welcomed Paul with a warm smile that softened his serious features.
“We have been waiting for you,” the others said in unison.
Without any further delay he took his place, the fifth chair around the table, completing, so to speak, the five points of the star. In the center of the table rested a box, similar to the one of the Mystery Chamber. Upon seeing it, Paul’s eyes began to move right and left in the direction of the Keepers, his eyebrows lifted, completely confounded. They all nodded with a smile, even Nabil, the least knowledgeable of them.
Still in confusion, the Historian examined it from his place, and noted a strange inscription on its lid. A vague impression of déjà-vu made him frown in concentration while he tried to gather the data in his memory. The palm of a hand outlined the background of that intricate symbol of five elements. His eyes kept probing, and his mind, composing and decomposing the shapes and forms until it became clear to him. From the palm of the hand, four elements emerged: a caduceus, a five-pointed star, a lotus, and a cross. He leaned back on his chair with a smile of satisfaction, then, with an absent gaze at the ceiling; he browsed his memory in search of these four elements on the wooden box of the Mystery Chamber. Yet, within its entirely elaborate artistic work, his memory failed to show him a caduceus, a five-pointed star, a lotus, and not even a cross. Where, inside the Mystery Chamber, could these symbols be hidden?! he fretted in silent frustration, as he realized the impossibility of going back to check for them now. The danger must still be lingering there…
“Cheers!” Dr. Najem called out gleefully, as he stood up with his glass of wine raised for a toast. “Other than Wednesday and Sunday, today, Thursday, is another special day in the calendar of our Society of Keepers of the Word. Let’s drink a toast to that!”
At once, all the chairs jostled noisily, as the other four stood up in good grace, to comply with the call. They lifted their drinks, and five wineglasses met above the center of the table in a unanimous ovation and a gleeful clatter of glasses. Eyes shone above the drinks they consumed, and a new bond linked them together at this very special moment. They resumed their places at the Round Table with the same merry noise, and for some reason; Paul matched the scene with that of the medieval Knights of King Arthur. A great feeling of belonging inundated him, as he felt proud to partake in a Society that strove to keep an ancient mystical Tradition well alive and to share its mysteries with the Keepers.
“I think, yesterday you acquired a thorough knowledge of the Templars, their Grail, and their beliefs,” Dr. Najem commented, looking in his direction.
“Yes, indeed. I did.”
“Very well, then,” Dr. Bechara expressed his satisfaction with the trace of a smile showing on his face. “We will now turn our attention to a secret that very few people know. In fact, it is one of the most powerful secrets of all times. It has been concealed for centuries.”
A secret much more powerful than that of the Templars? Paul glanced at him in wonder. What could that be?
“Please, brother, don’t look so amazed,” advised Professor Michel, addressing him, “Being a novice in our Society, just like Nabil, who has been here only a bit longer than you, has earned you the right to know the ultimate secret. We trust you to keep it protected. You are a Keeper, after all.”
At once, memories flooded him: of how he’d entered the Fortress that first time; of when he’d met Nabil in his white outfit; and then, when he’d tried on his own, and looked at his reflection in the mirror—comparing himself to Pythagorean and Essenian brothers. In fact, that peculiar subtlety had boosted his curiosity about the Order. Likewise, another flashback brought him back to the moment when he’d stood at the door, overhearing their discussion on his behalf, and then, the revelation about the signs that had confirmed his loyalty and his acceptance as the Fifth element.
Now, glancing at them in wait, Paul met their smiles of acceptance. He smiled back. Anxious yet thrilled, he wondered about that ultimate secret. The importance of his presence—there, as a member of that Great Society—dawned on him at once, as he was better able to encompass and discern his mission in life. There should be no doubts, no fears, and no more blind or confused notions about the true meaning of his historical and spiritual identity as a human being.
They all looked at him with respect and honor, for he had become a brother who would share their same beliefs, ideas, and vision. A vision that would enable them to witness, analyze, and live in a better world; a world based on the realities of life and on the aspirations of the true faith, rather than, consciously or uncon
sciously, indulging in false History and fictitious religious ideas.
They smiled warmly… He waited.
“Throughout the ages,” Dr. Najem started in a serious tone, “our goal was always to keep the word protected from the ignorant mind of the vulgar. The search has long ended. We have found the Grail, hidden it and protected it. As long as we live, and our descendants after us, we shall always keep it protected.”
The Grail is with us… The Grail is the word… Our goal is to protect it forever, Paul recapitulated in his mind with a sense of bewilderment. He recalled the Cup of Life, the Sarcophagus of King Ahiram of Gebel, the Architect, and the Archaeologist who had both perished in an atrocious way, for edging close to discovering the secret of the Holy Grail—through their work on the Sarcophagus. The relationship is quite clear, he thought, as he instantly decided to ask Dr. Bechara for a credible answer, “Gabriel told me that the two researchers were killed by ‘Seth Servitors’. Why?”
“Gabriel was right,” he answered. “Satan Servants is a very powerful, religious and military, organization that controls the underground stream of falsified secret knowledge, and progresses silently in the dark. We have been fighting them for a long time. They managed to steal the Grail from us, but not the word. The longer we keep it, the sooner we’ll get the Grail back.”
“What do you mean? I don’t follow. Dr. Najem has just said that the Grail is with us!” the Historian rushed to ask, confused.
“Sure, we have the Grail. They only stole its shape, and changed its blood, but could not steal its essence—its real blood. Soon you will understand what I’m talking about,” he reassured with that soothing grave voice of his.
“Fine for now,” Paul conceded with a light nod, “But tell me, Dr. Bechara, is there any relationship between the Sarcophagus of King Ahiram of Gebel and the Grail?” he asked, looking inquisitively at him, as he recalled the Kadmus sequences sent by the Padre—which did not reveal any possible connection.
The Phoenician Code Page 25