Where have I seen this before? A reflection on OSMTH and OSMTJ

In Christendom, the Great Schism occurred between the Latin Church ( HQ Rome) and the Eastern Church (HQ Constantinople) in 1054. The Latin Church also referred to as the Roman Catholic Church patronage come from Peter, the First Pope. The Easter Church also referred to as the Orthodox Church or Byzantine Church patronage comes from Andrew, Peter's brother.?Up to 1054, both argued Theology, Liturgy, and even oversight, however, they remained brothers of the same mother.??However in 1054, there was a bit of a dust-up and offense taken, and given there were no phones or internet, or even ZOOM calls, it just got worse.

Much has been done to seek reunification in Christendom by inviting Peters's successor and Andrews's successor to special events and occasionally to lunch. It is recognized that each family has its head and each family has its unique geographical and ethnic traditions to be honored.?Yet they still hold that which makes them universal in common.?Kinda funny how some families are.

Now to our subject, the reconciliation of?a family, the OSMTH (Ordo Supremus Militaris Templi Hierosolymitani) and the OSMTJ (Ordre Souverain et Militaire du Temple de Jérusalem) of the Knights Templar.?The difference in the names is the difference between Latin and French.?Both still hold to their ecumenical stand for membership and the Templar Spirit of Charity and Peace.?Note: that traditional Templar spirit included fighting, Contemporary Templars do not.

Somewhere in the annals (1970's ish) of OSMTH History, a schism erupted and split the two.?Since then there appears to be no meaningful evidence of reconciliation.?All of the parties to the Schism have died or are gone, so why the continued separation??Perhaps it is time that the two reconcile.?Using the example of the?Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, the Templars can have both their cake and eat it. So how is this accomplished?

1) Recognize our common heritage as Templars.?

2) Accept that the two brothers are different and yet from the same mother, Andrew, and Peter.

3) Accept a common communion that we share and accept as Templars.?

4) Keep communication lines open between the two brothers sharing a common mother.

5) When possible, render aid to a brother, that is Fellow Knight, regardless of OSMTH or OSMTJ.

In the end, this is not about unification rather it is about reconciliation and recognition. Perhaps in Our Lord's time, unification will occur.

Something to think about this Easter 2022.