Modern Templars don't fight with swords, but they fight for the vulnerable in society. A fundraiser is currently underway for Ukraine.
In the chapel on the top floor of the parish hall in Porvoo, two Knights Templar stand in white cloaks with the order's symbol. The modern Knights Templar are peaceful and responsible individuals whose main task is humanitarian aid.
The Knights Templar of the Middle Ages were armed to protect pilgrims on their journey to holy places, and many films and books have been written about the somewhat mythical order. The Knights Templar was dissolved by the Pope in 1312, but in the 19th century it was a new beginning when the order was reestablished.
The modern Knights Templar has little to do with the sometimes bloody order from the Middle Ages.
We don't have real swords, says Bengt Wahlroos.
And we don't take anyone's life, says Karl af Hällström.
Bengt Wahlroos and Karl af Hällström are both Knights Templar and belong to the Priory of Swedish Finland.
- We are a military Christian order. Most of the knights have an officer background or are priests, says Karl af Hällström, who is the chaplain of the Agricola parish in Loviisa.
Bengt Wahlroos is an officer and now retired.
The Knights Templar is not a movement you sign up for – you are called as a member. af Hällström was called in 2018 and a year later he was dubbed a knight. Wahlroos has been a Knight Templar since 2011 and has held many positions within the order since then
- I hadn't heard much about the order before, but I thought this was something that could suit me, says af Hällström.
They are now two of the 92 knights in the Priory of Swedish Finland, which is part of the Grand Priory of Scandinavia. The Grand Priory of Scandinavia belongs to the international Knights Templar, based in Paris.
- We all know the Knights Templar here in Swedish Finland. Many of them have quite clear positions in society, says Wahlroos.
The medieval Knights Templar saw their mission as protecting pilgrims and defending Christianity in the Holy Land. The Knights Templar also participated in the Crusades and quickly became powerful. They lived under strict religious rules and took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and the order spread.
Today, the Knights Templar work to actively promote the Christian faith. Love for one's neighbor, mercy and charity are the watchwords. Carrying out humanitarian aid work is the main purpose of the order.
- In the past, it was the Crusades that created the need for the work. Now it is charity and how we can help others, says Karl af Hällström.
Priorat Svenskfinland has now started a collection for the benefit of Ukraine. Since the war began, a large part of the aid work has gone to Gammalsvenskby in Ukraine. The village is home to around 2,400 people.
The collection runs until March 25. The knights are collecting supplies and money.
– I am the contact person for the collection of supplies. You can contact me if you have clothes, care items, generators or tools that you want to donate. We collect everything that could be needed if a house has been completely destroyed, says Bengt Wahlroos.
A fundraising campaign is underway in parallel, see the fact box for information on how to participate.
– All of the donated supplies go to Ukraine. 70 percent of the money goes to Ukraine and 30 percent to families with children and young people with special needs in Swedish Finland, says af Hällström.
Both af Hällström and Wahlroos emphasize that the Order of the Knights Templar is not mysterious or secret in any way. Anyone who is called to be a member must be recommended by other knights. They should preferably have a military or church background and have the values associated with a knight.
– We also have female members. There are now many women among both the clergy and officers, says af Hällström.
The biggest celebration of the year for the Order of the Knights Templar is the chapter of the order. Then new knights are dubbed and we celebrate communion together.
– Then we also have a special visit when the Grand Master is there, says Bengt Wahlroos
Do you have any rituals?
– There are special arrangements for how we do it, such as a church service order and an order for dubbing new knights. But it is no secret, anyone who wants to can come and see the next chapter of the order, which is in May in St. Michael's Church in Turku, says af Hällström.
When the Knights Templar meet, they are dressed in white cloaks with the order's emblem. Each meeting begins with the lighting of nine candles in memory of the first nine Knights Templar in the Middle Ages.
The brothers of the order are not often seen on the streets and squares
Mostly we work in silence. But now that we have been more visible with the collection, it is noticeable that there is interest in us, says af Hällström.
Karl af Hällström and Bengt Wahlroos see the Order of the Templars as a rewarding hobby.
This is not an order of merit that you can join if you do something good. It is an order where you come to do something good, says Karl af Hällström.
Here you make friends all over the world, says Bengt Wahlroos.
The modern Order of the Knights Templar
Founded: In the 19th century (re-established as a religious order, not directly connected to the medieval order).
Purpose: Charity, Christian values, cultural and historical preservation.
Activities: Humanitarian work, support for churches and vulnerable people