Nazareth, the Knights Templar, and the Illuminati

Among the many theories about who inherited the legacy and treasures of the Knights Templar, one group mentioned is the Hussites, who rebelled against the Catholic Church and in the wars that followed, carried banners bearing the symbol of the chalice or grail. They did extraordinarily well in battle, and [interestingly enough] built an extensive system of tunnels in their main town of Tabor in what is now the Czech Republic. Later, when the radical remainder were driven out into the forests, they lived in caves and tunnels, keeping alive their faith and traditions.

As time went on the group became known as the Bohemian Brethren, the Unitas Fratrum, and eventually, the Moravian Church. For many years outsiders saw them as a shadowy, mystic sect, a reputation increased by their view of the Holy Spirit as female, and other unorthodox beliefs and practices, some of which scandalized people of the 1700’s.

Today, some conspiracy theorists claim that the Moravian Church has the Holy Grail and other precious or legendary treasures hidden away (Barony of the Rose . . . hmmmm ;-) ), and some imply they guard the bloodline of Jesus and Mary.

Above, the agnus dei, emblem of the Unitas Fratrum, or Moravian Church (note the cross in the halo)

Below, an example of a Templar cross. They also used the agnus dei as one of their symbols

The fact that their early settlements in North America had a high proportion of people of nobility, along with the church’s history of connection with Rosicrucianism and Freemasonry, has fed claims that the people of the church’s upper echelon are members of the Illuminati, a supposed secret society whose members run the world. Eerily, Gottlieb Demuth, an early resident of Nazareth (his grave at Schoeneck seen in the photo above) was an ancestor of former president George W. Bush.

Still, we don’t read too much into it. The Moravians we know seem like hard-working, upstanding individuals rather than international conspirators. Of course, if this reporter now disappears under suspicious circumstances, readers may want to reconsider!