Easter Message from the Knight Commander

Rejoicing in the Resurrection of Christ

To my fellow Knights and Dames of the Order, and to all our brothers and sisters in Christ in Australia and abroad, I extend warm greetings and blessings on this holy Easter. Today we commemorate the cornerstone of our faith – the glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the Gospels we read how, on the first Easter morning, mourners at the tomb were met with astounding news: “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said” . The Gospel of Matthew recounts an angel announcing these words to the women at the empty tomb, turning their sorrow into awe and great joy. Likewise, the Gospel of John tells of Mary Magdalene weeping in despair until the risen Jesus lovingly called her by name, revealing Himself to her in resurrected glory (John 20:14–16). In that moment, darkness gave way to light, and hope was reborn.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely an event of the past – it is a living truth at the heart of Christian life. Christ is risen! This proclamation, first spoken almost two millennia ago, still resounds in our churches and in our hearts today. The risen Lord conquered death and opened the way to eternal life. For the disciples, encountering the risen Christ transformed their fear into courage and their doubt into faith. St. John records how the Apostle Thomas, who had doubted the initial reports, fell to his knees before the Risen Savior, exclaiming “My Lord and my God!” Upon this confession, Jesus pronounced a blessing that echoes through the ages: “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” . We are among those blessed who have not seen with physical eyes, yet we believe with unwavering faith.

Even without beholding the risen Christ in person, we feel His presence in our lives and see the evidence of His love all around us. This unwavering faith in the Resurrection gives us strength to face any trials, knowing that just as Christ triumphed over the grave, so too will His light overcome the darkness in our world.

Chivalry, Faith, and the Templar Tradition

As Knight Commander of L’Ordre du Temple de Jerusalem in Australia, I find profound inspiration in the Resurrection and what it teaches us as Templars. The medieval Knights Templar, our spiritual forebears, were deeply devoted to Christ. They worshiped and served in the very land sanctified by His life, death, and resurrection. It was in Jerusalem – the holy city where Jesus defeated death – that the first Templars took their vows and carried out their sacred mission . This heritage reminds us that the ethos of our Order is inseparable from the story of Easter. Just as the Templars of old kept vigil at holy sites and protected pilgrims journeying to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, we too are called to be guardians of the faith and servants of God’s people, guided always by the hope of the Resurrection.

The Templar tradition is one of chivalry, courage, and steadfast faith in action. In every era, Knights and Dames of the Temple have been called to live out the virtues of our sacred calling. Our modern Order embodies the timeless ideals of chivalry – honor, courage, compassion, and service – and we strive to uphold these ideals in our daily lives . We remember that true chivalry is not about earthly accolades or martial prowess, but about humble service and moral character. To be honorable is to be truthful, just, and faithful to our word.

To have courage is to stand firm for what is right, trusting in God even in the face of adversity. To show compassion is to love our neighbor as Christ loves us – especially the poor, the vulnerable, and the oppressed. And to render service is to place the needs of others before our own, performing our duty to God and humanity with gladness. These values, cherished by Templars past and present, reflect the love of the risen Christ at work within us.

In the light of Easter, let us remember that the unwavering faith exemplified by the first witnesses of the Resurrection must also shine in our lives. The Knights Templar have always been defined by an unshakeable faith in Christ. Even when faced with persecution or great hardship, our predecessors held fast to the Cross, drawing strength from the Risen Lord.

Today, in more peaceful times, we are still challenged to keep that faith at the center of all we do. The Resurrection assures us that no matter how arduous the path, victory in Christ is secure. Like the disciples who emerged from the locked upper room emboldened by the Holy Spirit, we too step into the world with bold faith and joyful hope because we serve a living Savior.

Sacred Duty and the Path of Service

Easter not only renews our faith; it also rekindles our sense of sacred duty. When Jesus rose from the dead, He commissioned his followers to carry on His work. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20)   was our Lord’s great charge, coupled with the promise, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” . As modern Templars and Christians, we inherit this mission. We understand that our knighthood is not a title of privilege, but a calling to serve. It is our duty to bear witness to Christ’s truth, not only in words but through our deeds of love, charity, and justice.

In our Order, every Knight and Dame vows to uphold a rule of life that reflects the Gospel. Our ancient precepts charge us to “love, honour and fear God; walk after His commandments” and to “maintain and defend the Christian Faith” . We are called to be loyal and dutiful, to prefer honor over worldly wealth, and to be just and true in word and deed .

We give no willing cause of offense; rather, while opposing wrong and injustice, we are to conduct ourselves with courtesy and humility. We must “assist the distressed, the widow and the fatherless” and shun pride and selfishness, thereby “raising the standard of chivalrous honour” among ourselves . These principles – drawn from the venerable Rule of our Order – align perfectly with the teachings of Christ. By living them out, we become beacons of the Easter message in a world much in need of hope and light.

Let this Easter be a time of renewal in our sacred duty. The values of the modern Order – faith, charity, and chivalry – are needed as much now as ever. In a world that still knows strife, inequality, and despair, we are called to be instruments of God’s peace and love. Charity has always been the foremost mission of Templars , and so we rededicate ourselves to helping the less fortunate, the sick, and the persecuted. Faith remains our shield and anchor, as we champion religious freedom and the dignity of all God’s children. Chivalry in its truest sense – the spirit of selfless service and moral integrity – remains our guiding star, inspiring us to build bridges of understanding and to foster unity across cultures and creeds. In all these endeavors, we seek not our own glory but God’s. The motto of the Order, “Non nobis, Domine, non nobis, sed nomini Tuo da gloriam” – “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your Name give glory” – ever reminds us that all we do is for the greater glory of God alone . It is the Risen Christ who accomplishes every good work through us, and to Him belongs all praise.

A Joyful and Blessed Easter

Finally, on this sacred day of Resurrection, let us rejoice together as one Order and one Christian family. Easter is a celebration of victory – the victory of life over death, of hope over despair, of love over hatred. It fills our hearts with gratitude and joy. As Templars, we kneel before the Risen King with the same reverence the women showed at the tomb, and we rise with the same commission to “go quickly and tell” the good news  through how we live and serve. May the example of our Lord Jesus, the Ultimate Knight of righteousness and Prince of Peace, inspire us to imitate His humility, courage, and sacrificial love in all aspects of our lives. May we carry the light of Easter morning into our communities, our families, and our everyday interactions, so that others might see in us a reflection of Christ’s hope.

On behalf of the Order of the Temple of Jerusalem in Australia, I wish all of you – fratres et sorores of the Order, your families, and every member of the broader Christian community – a blessed and uplifting Easter. May the peace of the Risen Christ dwell in your hearts. May His victory over the grave strengthen your faith, and may His boundless love fill you with comfort and joy. In the words of the ancient Easter proclamation: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

In the service of our Risen Lord,

Chevalier Gregory J. Fellows, KCTJ, KSJ, OSJ

Knight Commander, L’Ordre du Temple de Jerusalem (Australia)