There was a time when Christianity was woven almost unnoticed into the fabric of British life.
Our churches stood at the centre of towns and villages. Christian teaching influenced our schools, our ceremonies, our understanding of service, charity and duty.
Generations before us built hospitals, cared for the poor, comforted the dying and served their communities because their faith told them that loving their neighbour was not optional.
Britain today i... moreIS BRITAIN LOSING ITS CHRISTIAN SOUL?
There was a time when Christianity was woven almost unnoticed into the fabric of British life.
Our churches stood at the centre of towns and villages. Christian teaching influenced our schools, our ceremonies, our understanding of service, charity and duty.
Generations before us built hospitals, cared for the poor, comforted the dying and served their communities because their faith told them that loving their neighbour was not optional.
Britain today is a very different country.
Churches are quieter. Christian belief is increasingly regarded by some as something belonging to another age. Many people now grow up with little knowledge of the faith that helped shape the society inherited from their parents and grandparents.
Should Christians respond with anger?
I don't believe so.
Christ did not teach us to hate those who disagreed with us. Nor should protecting our Christian heritage mean disrespecting people of another faith, or of no faith at all.
But tolerance of others should never require us to become embarrassed about **our own faith**.
Perhaps the greater danger to Christianity in Britain isn't simply opposition from outside.
Perhaps it is silence from within.
If we believe our faith matters, then we must live it: openly, peacefully and courageously.
For those of us beginning our journey in the Templar tradition, there is something particularly relevant here. We carry the memory of men who were prepared to make extraordinary commitments for what they believed.
Our circumstances are completely different. Our response must therefore be different too.
No sword. No hatred. No enemy required.
Our defence of Christianity in the twenty-first century should be through faith, service, charity, courage, prayer and example.
We cannot decide what Britain will believe tomorrow.
But we can decide whether Christianity disappears quietly from our own lives today.
Stand firm in faith. Serve others. And never be ashamed of whom you follow.
You don't have to look very far to see a world that seems increasingly uncertain.
War, division, distrust, anger and fear dominate so much of what we see and hear. In some places Christianity is declining; in others, Christians face hostility or persecution simply because of their faith.
But perhaps we should not be surprised.
Christ never promised His followers an easy road. Scripture repeatedly speaks of difficult times, of faith being tested ... moreTHE WORLD IS IN A MESS — SO WHERE DO WE STAND?
You don't have to look very far to see a world that seems increasingly uncertain.
War, division, distrust, anger and fear dominate so much of what we see and hear. In some places Christianity is declining; in others, Christians face hostility or persecution simply because of their faith.
But perhaps we should not be surprised.
Christ never promised His followers an easy road. Scripture repeatedly speaks of difficult times, of faith being tested and of the need to remain steadfast when the world around us appears to be travelling in another direction.
For me, that raises an important question as I continue my own journey with the Templars:
**What does it mean to defend the faith in the twenty-first century?**
Surely it cannot simply mean looking backwards to swords, castles and battles.
Perhaps today's defence begins somewhere much more difficult — **within ourselves**.
Having the courage to say that we are Christians.
Standing by our beliefs without hatred towards those who believe differently.
Protecting those who are vulnerable.
Serving rather than demanding to be served.
Speaking when something is wrong, but having the wisdom to do so with dignity.
And refusing to allow fear, anger or the noise of the modern world to separate us from Christ.
The original Templars lived in extraordinarily turbulent times. So do we, although our challenges are very different.
Our weapons today should be Faith, truth, compassion, courage and service.
The world may change around us.
Our responsibility is to make sure our faith does not change with it.
Non nobis, Domine, non nobis, sed Nomini Tuo da gloriam.
The original Knights Templar are perhaps best remembered as warriors, yet one of their earliest and most enduring missions was far simpler: to protect pilgrims travelling dangerous roads to the Holy Land. They stood for courage, service and the duty to help those who found themselves vulnerable, far from home.
Nearly a thousand years later, the roads have changed, but the need has not. Millions still travel the world, and many Christians feel that faith, compassion and service are needed now mo... moreThe original Knights Templar are perhaps best remembered as warriors, yet one of their earliest and most enduring missions was far simpler: to protect pilgrims travelling dangerous roads to the Holy Land. They stood for courage, service and the duty to help those who found themselves vulnerable, far from home.
Nearly a thousand years later, the roads have changed, but the need has not. Millions still travel the world, and many Christians feel that faith, compassion and service are needed now more than ever in an increasingly uncertain world.
As I begin my own journey within the Order, I find myself reflecting on how those same principles continue to inspire people today. In my own small way, I have sought to follow that path by helping to build a modern organisation dedicated to protecting and assisting travellers wherever they may be.
Times change. Technology changes. But the calling to serve others with compassion, honour and integrity remains timeless.
*“Non nobis, Domine, non nobis, sed Nomini Tuo da gloriam.”*
*“Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy Name give glory.”*
I am happy to announce a new International member, CAA Mark Kerbey. He is from the United Kingdom, a a town called Sudbury. He willl be in the Grand prior of Europe. So please join me in welcoming him to OMSDT.
His bio:
I have always believed that service, integrity and compassion are values that should be lived rather than simply spoken about. Throughout my life I have been fortunate to work alongside people from many different backgrounds, experiences and communities, and those experiences h... moreI am happy to announce a new International member, CAA Mark Kerbey. He is from the United Kingdom, a a town called Sudbury. He willl be in the Grand prior of Europe. So please join me in welcoming him to OMSDT.
His bio:
I have always believed that service, integrity and compassion are values that should be lived rather than simply spoken about. Throughout my life I have been fortunate to work alongside people from many different backgrounds, experiences and communities, and those experiences have reinforced the importance of honour, duty and helping others whenever possible.
My interests have long centred on humanitarian work, community support and preserving traditions that encourage respect, fellowship and personal responsibility. I believe that true leadership is demonstrated through quiet actions, integrity in difficult moments and a willingness to place the needs of others before our own.
Outside of my professional life, I value lifelong learning, meaningful friendships and opportunities to contribute to causes that leave a positive legacy for future generations. I have a particular appreciation for history, faith, service and organisations whose principles are founded on charity, honour and mutual respect.
For me, membership is not about titles or recognition, but about standing alongside like-minded individuals who share a commitment to service, fellowship and the enduring values that have guided honourable men and women throughout history.
GP derek Nordio
Grand Priory of Europe
O Crux Ave Spec Unica — with CAA Mark Kerbey
I am happy to announce a new International member, CAA Mark Kerbey. He is from the United Kingdom, a a town called Sudbury. He willl be in the Grand prior of Europe. So please join me in welcoming him to OMSDT.
His bio:
I have always believed that service, integrity and compassion are values that should be lived rather than simply spoken about. Throughout my life I have been fortunate to work alongside people from many different backgrounds, experiences and communities, and those experiences h... moreI am happy to announce a new International member, CAA Mark Kerbey. He is from the United Kingdom, a a town called Sudbury. He willl be in the Grand prior of Europe. So please join me in welcoming him to OMSDT.
His bio:
I have always believed that service, integrity and compassion are values that should be lived rather than simply spoken about. Throughout my life I have been fortunate to work alongside people from many different backgrounds, experiences and communities, and those experiences have reinforced the importance of honour, duty and helping others whenever possible.
My interests have long centred on humanitarian work, community support and preserving traditions that encourage respect, fellowship and personal responsibility. I believe that true leadership is demonstrated through quiet actions, integrity in difficult moments and a willingness to place the needs of others before our own.
Outside of my professional life, I value lifelong learning, meaningful friendships and opportunities to contribute to causes that leave a positive legacy for future generations. I have a particular appreciation for history, faith, service and organisations whose principles are founded on charity, honour and mutual respect.
For me, membership is not about titles or recognition, but about standing alongside like-minded individuals who share a commitment to service, fellowship and the enduring values that have guided honourable men and women throughout history.
GP derek Nordio
Grand Priory of Europe
O Crux Ave Spec Unica — with CAA Mark Kerbey
KLT Michael Creel
Priory of the Holy Trinity
Dieu Avec Nou