J. Jeffrey McClelland of Middlesex County’s Jamaica community has been elected grand commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Virginia. The Grand Commandery consists of nine districts and 25 commanderies covering the state.
The poor fellow-soldiers of Jesus Christ, or knights of the temple (Knights Templar organization), were formed during the crusades to protect the pilgrims traveling to the Holy City of Jerusalem. These men took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and were renowned for their fierceness and courage in battle. They also developed “branch banking” with a cypher system where pilgrims could deposit monies with the knights at the beginning of their pilgrimage and claim them at their destination.
Their fame spread and rulers hastened to be identified with the Knights Templar. They became one of the best fighting forces in the world. The Templars were forced underground in 1307 and remained there for centuries.
Modern day Knights Templar are Christian Masons who support three philanthropies:
- The Knights Templar Eye Foundation, whose purpose is to provide funds for research for cures for eye diseases and eye injuries.
- The Knights Templar Educational Foundation, organized in 1922, gives grants to rising third- and fourth-year college students and has granted more than $32 million.
- The annual “Holy Land Pilgrimage” that sends two Christian Ministers from each state to the Holy Land, all expenses paid, to walk in the steps of Jesus.
