We make our attempt, here, to wrap up the foregoing Part Four of Qadosh: the Johannite Tradition, with a ‘short’ review. We have covered a wide variety of topics in Part Four, which, by the time Part Five is finished, should be obvious to all that they are crucial elements in The Story.
We started with the Gold Rosicrucians, because we found the ORMUS legend presented in an article concerning them, and, too, this is one of the key R+C Legends. It has to do with the returning R+C, which formed in the Near East during the Crusades, and which returned to the West, with new learning. There are transmission legends that not only mention ORMUS, but speak of a long-standing Magical Association, which was a key player in the creation of the Knights Templars, and beyond that, playing a major role in the survival, after the extermination of the Templars, of the Secret Learning. One of the outlets, and recruiting grounds, designed by members of the Order, but afterwards allowed to act independently, was that of the Craft Lodge (Freemasonry). Later on, High Grade Rites would surface, and, for the most part, they would be based upon elements of the Story that we have been collecting together in one place.
Not only that, but a joining of two essentially separate institutions occurred, in the 1780s, when the Frankist movement, represented by Moses Dobruschka joined up with Ecker und Eckhoffen, in creating the Asiatic Brethren. Just what is implied by a title such as “Asiatic Brethren”?
Eventually, the R+C would continue well into the 19th Century, in Continental Europe. It would be responsible for the formation of several associations, like the Golden Dawn, the Institute of Esoteric Studies (the original one, that is, organized by Gerard Encausse [Papus]…) , the H B of L, et cetera. Also included in this list should be that of the Rite of Memphis.
We read in some places that the primary source for the Templar Origins of Freemasonry was the Chevalier Andrew Michael Ramsay. So, we studied one of the ideas that inspired him: Quietism. Going back, it stems, ultimately, from what is regarded as Antinomian Gnosis, which took Root in Syria, Egypt, Asia Minor. In some places in Part Four, such as “The Deep Things of SATAN” we have given the essence of the Idea. The Quietists had a profound influence not only on Ramsay, but upon other individuals, such as Martines de Pasqually, Louis Claude de Saint Martin, et cetera.
It is said that Ramsay belonged to the sect of the Philadelphians. It is implied that the Philadelphians and the Philadelphes (and several sects are known under this name)… are one and the same body, but this cannot be. We have one group of Philadelphians existing in the Colonies, and with Benjamin Franklin involved. One such group, associated with Moreau de St Mery involves nocturnal Slave Rites in the Caribbean isles. Another group is something created by Charles Nodier, who is said to be involved with them. Perhaps he had contact with some such group. Also, there is a group of Philadelphes, the one which is of importance to us: the Philadelphes of Narbonne. This Rite was also known as the Primitive Rite of Narbonne. The Johannite Church was known as the Primitive Christian Church, and the Rite of Memphis was also called the Antient and Primitive Rite. Perhaps the various uses of Primitive relate to different things, but in a sense they are relating to the same Primitive Tradition. The Ancient and Primitive Tradition, or Authentic Tradition, which we see embodied in the traditions of the Old Unreformed Sect of Tibetan Lamas: the Nyingmas.
So, was ORMUS just a name, or was it a code name intended to carry several levels of meaning?
The latter is definitely the case, for while it does refer to a specific person/school, it also has meanings of its own that paint an interesting picture. Not only do we find a likely explanation for the legend about him, we find a possible real-life figure his story was based on. In addition we analyze the name in depth.
ORMUS as Pachomius. This was originally intended as a Readings Section, but the master was lost before a pdf could be created for online-publication. We may offer a re-creation of it later this year (2004 c.e.).
If Ormus was converted by “St. Mark,” then, what do we know about him that might validate this story? Also, one other item concerning St. Mark: the Secret Letter…..
This “Secret Letter” is said to have been found at “Mar Saba”, not far from the Teacher’s Oak. In it are references to the Carpocratian Gnosis, which involves knowledge of the “Deep things of SATAN”. Also, when John was baptising on the other side of the Jordan, why didn’t more people make sense of just what was being said? Since the Other Side of the JORDAN was in Nabatean territory? And if John the Baptist was in Nabatean territory, with a sect, baptising away, wouldn’t that make him a Nabatean, as well, since at the time there were wars between the “Jews” / Roman Governors, on the one hand, and the Nabateans, on the other? And if John the Baptist is to be regarded as cousin of Jesus, then wouldn’t that make Jesus or the person represented by this name, into a person with Nabatean blood descent? It is said that Cardinal Tisserant made this discovery, and then helped himself out of his upstairs window, with the help of bed-sheets to hang from. Another crazy story? Or ???
What is the Antinomian Gnosis, and, for that matter, what is it that is at the back of Quietism? We analyze these “Deep things of SATAN” and it is very clear to us that there is a long-standing body of tradition that supports the Simonian / Sethian / Ophite Gnosis over what became known as the Orthodox Christian Church typified by the leadership of Peter and Paul. This is the Johannite Church par excellence.
Honey and Peppers. Mainly we present a version of Epiphanius’ attack on the Gnostics, also known as … et cetera. These are the Gnostics which derived their teachings from this same Antinomian Gnosis of Epiphanes, and that which was proscribed by Clement in his secret letter. It is the body of teachings related in this polemic against the group responsible for transmitting them and practicing them, that was driven into hiding, as the Christian church developed more power as a result of getting endorsement from the Empire. Starting as a group of gnostics in the Hauran region, and taking on converts such as Eutaktos of Satala, Armenia, the teachings survived. Indeed, it is likely that some of this material, which may have had some origins in India with the Ashoka missionary campaign… went back to India at some point. Sufis, Gypsies, Illuminati, Gnostics.
As we stated, when Eutaktos was converted to the Gnosis, he took it back to Armenia, as the sect known as the Archontics. This sect appears to have a practice similar to the core practices in the various Angel Cult groups we have been researching. Later on, it would be picked up again, via the Messalian line, in Paulicianism. After some time in its land of nativity, it would be banished, and spread across the Bosphorous to Central Europe…..
Paulician Missonaries arrive in Bulgaria, and the Bogomil tradition comes into being. This is where the name Bougres comes from. From this we who speak “English” get the word known as “Buggery”, a practice that the Templars were accused of. From Bulgaria to Italy to France. And intermixing with local customs and other schools of thought, no doubt.
We ran across a couple of ideas of our own concerning the Cup, because so much has been written about it that it is well-deserved to put some accurate writing on the subject before the reading public for once in the history of the Relic.
In the end, then, we might want to follow the suggestions offered by researchers like Jessie Weston and Walter Birks. The former connects the Grail tradition with the Naassenes and with Syrian Mystery Rites, such as the Mysteries of Adonis. This would place the location of this Tradition in Samaria, Syria, et cetera. Birks connects the transmission to the Paulician sect, and to the antecedents of the Paulicians.
These would be related to the same Naassene movement throughout the region.
Would there have been local groups connected to this Tradition, at the time of the First Crusade, and earlier, even?
Yes, indeed, there is at least one conglomeration of sects, tribes, cultures – yet –
BOOK TWO, Part Five: LA VOIE LACTÉE: The Way of the STARS.
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