The Order Of The Holy Sepulchre

*Includes pictures *Includes contemporary accounts of the order *Includes online resources and a bibliography for further reading "But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me." - Luke 19:27 For centuries, Christians and Muslims were embroiled in one of the most infamous territorial disputes of all time, viciously and relentlessly battling one another for the Holy Land. In the heart of Jerusalem sat one of the shining jewels of the Christian faith, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Legend has it that this was where their Savior had been buried before his fabled resurrection. What was more, it was said to house the very cross Jesus Christ had died upon. It was for precisely these reasons that fearless pilgrims, near and far, risked their lives and made the treacherous trek to Jerusalem. Of course, this also made the basilica a perfect target, so much so that a powerful company of knights was founded to guard the church and defend its presence in the Promised Land. Though the Equestrian Knights of the Holy Sepulchre no longer sport the fancy coats of mail or shiny swords of their ancestors, their noble cause lives on, and they continue to aim to protect one of Christianity's holiest sites. Today, there exists 20,000-30,000 Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre in over 60 nations around the globe, a figure that is constantly growing. Its members today continue to provide support (now mostly financial and moral) to its main basilica, and they focus on enriching the order's philanthropic operations, as well as "strengthening the practice of Christian life amongst its members." Its members also serve as missionaries, spreading the gospel and the order's mission to both Catholics, non-Catholics, and even the non-religious, all over the world. The Order of the Holy Sepulchre: The History of the Catholic Order Established during the Crusades for the Promised Land examines the events leading up to its founding, its development throughout the years, its inner workings, and the lives of these famous knights of God. Along with pictures depicting important people, places, and events, you will learn about the Order of the Holy Sepulchre like never before.

Jerusalem: Church of the Holy Sepulchre is Carta's latest guidebook designed for tourists in Israel. It is slim enough to be carried easily, but is packed full of helpful text, illustrations, and photographs that will enable visitors and pilgrims to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to understand and appreciate what they are seeing. Part One of Jerusalem: Church of the Holy Sepulchre introduces you to the background of Jesus' cruci xion and burial as told in the Gospel accounts, as well as the development of the various churches that have stood on the site. It also introduces you to the different Christian groups that worship in the building today. Part Two will be useful as you walk around the building itself, looking at the main points of interest, such as Calvary, the tomb of Jesus, various chapels, and other features you might miss without a guide. The Bibliography and Further Reading list will enable you to take your study of this fascinating building further when you get home.

*Includes pictures *Includes online resources and a bibliography for further reading For centuries, Christians and Muslims were embroiled in one of the most infamous territorial disputes of all time, viciously and relentlessly battling one another for the Holy Land. In the heart of Jerusalem sat one of the shining jewels of the Christian faith, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Legend has it that this was where their Savior had been buried before his fabled resurrection. What was more, it was said to house the very cross Jesus Christ had died upon. It was for precisely these reasons that fearless pilgrims, near and far, risked their lives and made the treacherous trek to Jerusalem. The Order of the Temple of Solomon, also known as the Templars or the Knights Templar, is one of the best-known and least-understood groups in history. They appear prominently in everything from novels (The Da Vinci Code) to films (as the Knights of the Cruciform Sword in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) to videogames (Assassin's Creed). In these stories, they are a sinister cult that manipulated historical events since the Middle Ages, via intimidation and assassination. They are usually connected to the Freemasons and, sometimes, to other historical cults like the Hindu Thuggees. The real Templars were both more mundane and more fascinating than the myths and legends. They were the first military religious order - monks who were also knights. The knights of the Teutonic Order have since been compared to the surreal creature that appeared to the biblical Ezekiel, one that bore 2 faces - one of a man's, and one of a lion's. The human side of the creature is said to symbolize the order's charity, whereas the lion was a metaphor for its valor and gallant spirit, which they relied on to vanquish the heathens of the world. Like other secretive groups, the mystery surrounding these military orders helped their legacies endure. While some conspiracy theorists attempt to tie the groups to other alleged secret socities like the Illuminati, other groups have tried to assert connections with them to bolster their own credentials. Who they were and what they had in their possession continue to be a source of great intrigue. The Catholic Church's Most Influential Religious Military Orders: The Controversial and Mysterious History of the Knights Templar, the Teutonic Knights, and the Order of the Holy Sepulchre chronicles the known history of the orders and examines the secrecy and mystery surrounding them. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about the Catholic Church's most famous religious military orders like you never have before.