LATEST - Since 1 November 2019
25 February 2020
within us while he was talking
to us on the road, while he was
opening the scriptures to us.'
Burn from me all that dims your light
Kindle an answering flame in lives around:
That darkness may be driven back
And glory stream into this world
Transforming it with love.
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Snowdrops (Galanthus) are the habingers of Spring
There are hundreds of varieties of snowdrops:
Some places hold 'Snowdrop Festivals':
For the beauty of the earth
For the glory of the skies
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies
Lord of all
To thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise
21 February 2020
HRH The Prince of Wales visited flooded Pontypridd
Pontypridd, 12 miles (19
km) north of Cardiff,
is the county town of Rhondda Cynon Taf.
16 February 2020
STORM DENNIS
The Meteorological Office issued a rare Red Weather warning
as the UK faced a second day of disruption:
From the 1662 Book of Common Prayer:
For fair Weather.
O Almighty Lord God, who for the sin of man didst once drown all the world, except eight persons, and afterward of thy great mercy didst promise never to destroy it so again: We humbly beseech thee, that although we for our iniquities have worthily deserved a plague of rain and waters, yet upon our true repentance thou wilt send us such weather, as that we may receive the fruits of the earth in due season; and learn both by thy punishment to amend our lives, and for thy clemency to give thee praise and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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27 January 2020
DIWRNOD COFIO'R HOLOCOST
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY
Dysgn gwersi o'r gorffennol er mwyn
cren dyfodol gwell a mwy diogel
Learning lessons from the past
to create a safer, better future
We Knights Templar
have reason to remember that in the 14th century Templar knights across Europe
were rounded up and many killed or died in prison, all as a result of
the trumped-up charges of heresy and the like brought against the Order
by King Philip of France.
Today such an attempt to destroy a particular group of people on the basis of their perceived religious beliefs or practices would constitute an act of genocide.
However, and fortunately for the Order, the Pope eventually absolved the Order and its knights from the accusations. Unfortunately this was not until after the Order had been 'officially' disbanded throughout the areas of the Pope's authority.
But many knights escaped the persecution, either having fled abroad or they were already based in countries like Scotland, Switzerland or Portugal where they regrouped and survived thus enabling the Order to emerge again and today it thrives and is growing acoss the world including, of course, in Wales!
"FIRST THEY CAME"
by
Pastor Martin Niemoller
First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist;
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me.
For
Holocaust Memorial Day, 27 January 2020, people are asked to Stand Together in remembrance of
people who were murdered by the Nazis and join thousands of others to ensure that those who were murdered are not forgotten.
200 survivors attended the wreath-laying ceremony at Auschwitz
Monday morning, 27 January 2020
Today marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of
Auschwitz-Birkenau. Thousands of people from across the UK are also coming
together to mark this landmark anniversary.
Commemorative ceremonies are taking place in Wales, England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
In London, Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will join the UK’s faith, political and civic leadership, and survivors of the Holocaust and genocides, at the UK Commemorative Ceremony:
The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge
sFaith Leaders light commemorative candles
As Presidents of the Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ), and in respect of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, we ask our churches to join in the use of this prayer on the Sunday closest to Holocaust Memorial Day 2020.
The Rt Hon and Most Revd Justin Welby, Archbishop of
Canterbury
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster
His Eminence Nikitas Loulias, Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain
The Rt Revd Colin Sinclair, Moderator of the Church of Scotland
The Revd Dr Hugh Osgood, Moderator of the Free Churches
A prayer for use by Christians on Holocaust Memorial Day 2020
Please invite the congregation to stand and to join in the words in bold.
God of the past, present, and future,
We remember today, 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution, and all those who have been targeted and killed in subsequent genocides.
We remember those who, having survived genocide, share their stories with us:
We give thanks to You for the lessons of human stories, both in their suffering and in their joy.
We remember those who stood up against injustice and saved lives:
We give thanks to You for their example.
Together we acknowledge the sacrifice of those that stood together with those who suffered during the Holocaust and other genocides.
And we affirm that every life is loved by You and sacred.
Yet, during the Holocaust too many failed to stand together with their neighbours. Oppression stains Your world and contradicts Your love.
So we pray that You will inspire us now as we stand together on this day in the love that we know of God in Christ Jesus.
Let us commit to remembering:
And glorify God in our words and actions.
We make these prayers in the name of Christ Jesus who through His life, death, and resurrection, journeys with us into the eternal hope of Your truth and light.
Amen.
Kindertransport - bringing children from Nazi Germany to Great Britain
Ar
Ddiwrnod Cofio'r Holocost (HMD) - 27 Ionawr 2020 - fe gofiwn am y miliynau o
bobl a laddwyd yn yr Holocost o dan Erledigaeth Natsiaidd, ac achosion
ers hynny o hil-laddiad yn Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia a Darfur a hyd heddiw, heriwn gasineb ac erledigaeth.
On Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) - 27 January 2020 - we remember the millions of people killed in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution, and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur and challenge hatred and persecution today.
In particular Holocaust Memorial Day this year marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp:
In the UK, thousands of local events and activities take place every year – each one an opportunity for people to reflect on those whose lives were changed beyond recognition, and to challenge prejudice, discrimination, and hatred in our own society today.
A prayer:
Heavenly
Father,
whose
many gifts include memory and empathy:
we
hold in remembrance before you those many of the Jewish people
who
were murdered, harmed, or displaced in the horror of Nazi persecution,
and
whose communities were destroyed.
In
your mercy, help us to learn to accept our differences without fear
and
cleanse our hearts of all hatred.
So
may every human community flourish and every home be secure,
to
the advancement of your loving purposes
and
the glory of your name.
Amen.
Ymddiriedolaeth Diwrnod Cofio'r Holocost yw'r elusen
sy'n hyrwyddo a chefnogi Diwrnod Cofio'r Holocost yn y DU
More information can be found about Holocaust Memorial Day
on the website of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.
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23 January 2020
Jerusalem
His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, along with many other world leaders, attended an event in Jerusalem to remember the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi 'death camp' at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Prince Charles spoke to the huge audience saying that "hatred and intolerance still lurk in the human heart".
HRH Prince Charles at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem : 23 January 2020’
Heads
of State gathered at Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre in
Jerusalem, on 23rd January 2020 for the Fifth World Holocaust Forum to
commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Nazi ‘death camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau
being liberated by Soviet troops on 27th January 1945.
During his speech the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier acknowledged that ‘the worst crime in the history of humanity was committed by my countrymen’. He added: ‘Seventy five years later after the liberation of Auschwitz I stand before you all as President of Germany and laden with the heavy historical burden of guilt.’
Other guests at the event included the Prince of Wales, the Russian President Vladimir Putin and France’s President Emmanuel Macron.
During his speech the Prince of Wales urged world leaders to learn the lessons of the past and combat hatred and intolerance. Condemning the scourge of anti-Semitism, Charles described the extermination of six million Jewish people during the Second World War as a ‘universal human tragedy’ affecting all, not just the families of those killed by the Nazi regime.
He went on to warn that ‘hatred and intolerance still lurk in the human heart’ but society must remain ‘resolute in resisting words and acts of violence’ and that the story of ‘incomprehensible humanity’ must not be forgotten.
Charles said: ‘The Holocaust was an appalling Jewish tragedy, but it was also a universal human tragedy, and one which we compound if we do not heed its lessons.’ He told the guests the stories of the Holocaust belonged to many of those in the hall and Jewish people across the globe.
The Prince added: ‘But we must never forget that they are also our story: a story of incomprehensible inhumanity, from which all humanity can and must learn. Warning that intolerance was never far away, he said: ‘We must be vigilant in discerning these ever-changing threats; we must be fearless in confronting falsehoods and resolute in resisting words and acts of violence.’
Charles also paid tribute to the ‘selfless actions’ of his grandmother, Princess Alice, who in 1943 while living in Nazi-occupied Greece, sheltered a Jewish family in her own home.
In 1993 Yad Vashem bestowed the title of Righteous Among The Nations on her and she is buried at the nearby Mount of Olives. Charles described the title as ‘a fact which gives me and my family immense pride.’
Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2020/01/23/prince-charles-warns-world-leaders-hatred-holocaust-remembrance-speech-12113341/?ito=cbshare
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/
said ‘hatred and intolerance still lurk in the human heart’
Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2020/01/23/prince-charles-warns-world-leaders-hatred-holocaust-remembrance-speech-12113341/?ito=cbshare
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/
______________________________________________________________________
18-25
January 2020
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6 JANUARY 2020 : EPIPHANY
Epiphany is an ancient Christian festival and is celebrated across the world in numerous ways.
In Western churches it is mainly associated with the visit of the
Magi (the 'wise men') to the infant Jesus when God revealed himself to
the world through the incarnation (the birth) of Jesus.
According to the Holy Bible in the Gospel of St Matthew (Chapter 2:verse 11) they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The Gospel account indicates that the Magi had been following a star which led them to the place where they found Jesus, his mother Mary and Joseph:
Venus (a planet) is not the star which the Magi followed
but, other than the Moon, it is the brightest 'light' presently visible
in the evening sky. It can remind us of the lovely Epiphany Carol
by
William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898):
As with gladness, men of old
Did the guiding star behold
As with joy they hailed its light
Leading onward, beaming bright
So, most glorious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.
As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger bed
There to bend the knee before
Him Whom Heaven and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy seat.
As they offered gifts most rare
At that manger rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.
Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.
In the heavenly country bright,
Need they no created light;
Thou its Light, its Joy, its Crown,
Thou its Sun which goes not down;
There forever may we sing
Alleluias to our King!
Or as the Gospel of St Matthew (Chapter 2, verse 10) puts it:
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”
This event is re-enacted by some children:
In Eastern churches, Epiphany usually celebrates the baptism of Jesus by St John the Baptist,
in the River Jordan:
Alternatively it also commemorates Jesus' first miracle at the
Wedding Feast at Cana in Galilee,
where he turned jars of water into
high quality wine:
Finally Epiphany could represent the flight of the Holy Family into
Eygpt
in order to escape Herod's anger and the murder of boys under 2
years, in Bethlehem:
All of these celebrations and images seek to illustrate 'Epiphany'
-
which means 'the showing forth' or 'revelation' of Jesus to non-Jews
(that is, the Gentiles) -
on various occasions during His life.
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new year's DAY : 1 JANUARY 2020 &
new year's eve : 31 December 2019
Dymunwn flwyddyn newydd fendithiol a heddychlon i chi
(We wish you a glorious and peaceful New Year)
Great Clock, Elizabeth Tower, London : 00.00.01 1 January 2020
Palace of Westminster, London : 1 January 2020
London Eye : 1 January 2020
Auckland, New Zealand : Midnight 31 December 2019
Sydney, Australia : Midnight 31 December 2019
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THE FEASTDAY OF ST jOHN THE EVANGELIST
27 December 2019
One of special days (a Feastday) which the Order observes is that of Saint John, the Apostle and Evangelist.
In the first extract from the Holy Bible below we read St John's own accound of his encounter with Jesus. The second piece is from St John's Gospel. St John is sometimes depicted as an eagle and similarly used in church lecterns to hold the Bible - carrying the Word of God across the world.
The Epistle
1 St. John 1.1-end
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the word of life; (for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, That God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all un-righteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
The Gospel
St. John 21.19-end
Jesus said unto Peter, Follow me. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, That that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose, that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.
A Prayer
Merciful Lord, we
beseech thee to cast thy bright beams of light upon thy Church,
that it
being enlightened by the doctrine of thy blessed Apostle and Evangelist
Saint John
may so walk in the light of thy truth,
that it may at length
attain to the light of everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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CHRISTMAS 2019
At this most Holy and Joyful Christmas time we sent our very Best Wishes
and Blessings to Knights and Dames of the Supreme Military Order of the
Temple of Jerusalem throughout the world and to the hundreds of others
who visit these pages on a daily basis.
A Blessing
May God
(the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit - Ever and Only One)
bless, preserve and keep you safe
in His Love and Care today
and in the New Year ahead
Amen.
‡ The Grand Prior of Wales
In the Holy Bible, the Gospel of St John tells us who the Babe at Bethlehem is - none other than Jesus, the incarnate Word of God, the Creator and Lord of All .....
John 1: 1 ─ 14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which gives light to every man coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
12 But as many as receive Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Sed Nomini Tuo Da Gloriam
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as she visits the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
Christmas Eve 24 December 2019
Christmas Eve 24 December 2019
[Advent Sunday 1 December 2019 to Christmas]
O Lord our God,
make us watchful and keep us faithful
as we await the coming of your Son our Lord;
that, when he shall appear,
he may not find us sleeping in sin
but active in his service
and joyful in his praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.
FROM THE GRAND PRIOR & SPIRITUAL PROTECTOR
OF THE GRAND PRIORY OF WALES
A BLESSING
Go forth into the world in peace;
be of good courage;
hold fast to that which is good;
render to no one evil for evil;
strengthen the fainthearted;
support the weak;
help the afflicted;
honour everyone;
love and serve the Lord,
rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; and
May Christ the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you,
scatter the darkness from before your path,
and make you ready to meet him when he comes in glory;
and
Mae Bendith Duw Hollalluog, The blessing of God Almighty,
y Tad, y Mab a'r the Father, the Son, and
Ysbryd Glân, the Holy Spirit,
a fo yn eich plith ac be among you and
a drigo gyda chwi yn wastad. remain with you always.
Amen. Amen.
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Remembrance Tide
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Armistice Day : 11 November 2019
1918 - Battlefield, France 2019 - Thiepval, France
11.00am 11 November 2019
Westminster Abbey Whitehall, The Cenotaph
The National Memorial Arboretum - Gurkhas (गोरखाली) on Parade
A Prayer for the Fallen
Remember, O Lord
all those who have died the death of honour and
are departed in the hope of resurrection to Eternal Life,
especially the Officers, Men and Women
of our Sea, Land and, Air Forces,
to whom it was given to lay down their lives
for the cause of Freedom and Justice.
In your heavenly place of Light,
where pain, sorrow, tears and mourning are no more,
give them rest, O Lord, the Lover of all people.
Grant this for Jesus Christ’s sake.
Amen.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine,
The just shall be in everlasting remembrance.
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them,
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Remembrance Sunday : 10 November 2019
Prince Charles lays the Queen's wreath at The Cenotaph
Her Majesty, The Queen, wipes away a tear
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The Fall of the Berlin Wall : 9 November 1989
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All Souls' Tide : 2 November 2019
Non Nobis, Domine, Non Nobis,
Sed Nomini Tuo Da Gloriam
At this All Souls' Tide we remember past Knights Templar
and particularly those who have kept the Christian Faith
in their lives,
actions, homes, hearts and minds.
Especially we give thanks to God for those who have died for the Faith.
Therefore we recall those Knights Templar who have suffered
martyrdom,
including Jacques de Molay (the last medieval Grand
Master) and
Geoffroi de Charnay (the Master of Normandy)
who were
cruellly burnt at the stake in Paris in March1314
on the false orders
of the King of France, Philip IV (known as Philip the Fair)
Jacques de Molay, Grand Master and
Geoffroi de Charney, Master of Normandy
also known as St Thomas of Hereford.
He was a Provincial Grand Master of the Order
and Bishop of Hereford (including parishes in Wales):
Locally we recall our brother Knights Templar of the Grand Priory of Wales
who have passed from our sight in recent times:
Chevalier Brian Ansen
Chevalier David Bergstrom
Chevalier Jonathan Griffiths
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine,
The just shall be in everlasting remembrance.
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them,
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened
in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you -
the riches of his glorious inheritance in his saints
[Ephesians 1: 18]
The well-known hymn "For all
the saints" is a favourite with Templars.
It expresses our hope and
trust in the future and
calls upon us to follow the example of our
forebears:
1
For all the saints who from their labours rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
2
Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might;
thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
3
O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
and win with them the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
4
O blest communion, fellowship divine,
we feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
5
And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,
steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
6
The golden evening brightens in the west;
soon, soon to faithful warrior cometh rest;
sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
7
But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
the saints triumphant rise in bright array;
the King of glory passes on his way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
8
From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Words: William Walsham How (1864)
Tune (Sine Nomine): Ralph Vaughan Williams (1906)
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