Knights Templar to use latest imaging in search for Grail

New Zealand Herald ^ | 01/06/03 | The Independent (?)

[mgstarr]

For centuries the intricately carved stones of Rosslyn Chapel near Edinburgh have tantalised historians, archaeologists and devoted Christians.

A labyrinth of vaults beneath the 15th-century home of the Knights Templar is reputed to contain dozens of holy relics, including early gospels, the Ark of the Covenant, the fabled Holy Grail - and even the mummified head of Christ.

More than 550 years after the first foundation stones were laid, modern technology is about to put the legend to the test.

A group of Knights Templar, successors to the warrior monks who sought asylum from the Pope by fleeing to Scotland in the early 14th century and fought for Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn, are to make a "non-invasive" survey of the land around the chapel.

They will use the latest ultrasound and thermal imaging technology in the hope of finding evidence of the existence of the vaults.

"The plan is to investigate the land around the chapel to a depth of at least 20ft," said John Ritchie, Grand Herald and spokesman for the Knights Templar.

"The machine we are using is the most sophisticated anywhere and is capable of taking readings from the ground up to a mile deep without disturbing any of the land.

"We know many of the Knights are buried in the grounds and there are many references to buried vaults, which we hope this project will finally uncover."Rosslyn Chapel, or the Collegiate Chapel of St Matthew as it was to have been, was founded in 1446 by Sir William St Clair, third and last Prince of Orkney.

Built as a celebration of Christ, it is also a monument to craftsmanship.

Bristling with flying buttresses and gargoyles in the highest Gothic style on the outside, the interior is carved with scenes from the Bible, the fall of man, the expulsion from the Garden of Eden, the birth of Christ, the crucifixion and the resurrection.

"Rosslyn is an amazing building.

[crystalk]

Not where Muslims are concerned!

[machman]

I wonder if they have any have nice shrubbery around the chapel.....

[Wormwood]

What part of "metaphor" don't these people understand?

[afraidfortherepublic]

Some acceptance of coexistence might be a plus.

Really think so? Tell that to Osama and Mullah Omar.

[rwfromkansas]

Holy Blood is not a book anyone should read. It is insanity.

[My2Cents]

It's in here...

[winner45]

BZZZ!!! Sorry! Wrong answer. It's not there--or in any other vault or tomb.

He is risen.

Total Crock Alert FYI, your god no more exists than does that of the islamocrazies. Get over it.

[mgstarr]

I'd prefer a closer inspection of the Castle Anthrax myself...

[My2Cents]

[Xenalyte]

My faith is strong, and reading questionable material doesn't weaken it - just like hearing Tom Daschle talk doesn't make me believe him.

Insanity it may be to you, but if it makes someone think about his faith (and perhaps strengthen it, as happened to me), to that extent it's worth it.

[My2Cents]

Total Crock Alert

Thanks for your compelling rebuttal.

[CCWoody]

Total Crock Alert FYI, your god no more exists than does that of the islamocrazies. Get over it. ~winner45

And, of course, you know this as you have exhaustively searched the universe, peering into every nook and cranny to prove that which only a god can know.

Woody.

[Centurion2000]

Total Crock Alert FYI, your god no more exists than does that of the islamocrazies.

Whatever. Islam is a murder cult. Christ and Christianity is the bedrock of Western Civilization.

[RightWhale]

Not where Muslims are concerned!

Why not?

[curmudgeonII]

It'd probably be more accurate if you were to say that the Templars were one of the elements that may have been involved in the evolution of Freemasonry. There is some pretty good evidence that the institution of Feremasonry can be traced to the second king of ancient Rome, Numa Pompilus. [And I will have been a Feemason for 50 years in April.]

[sheik yerbouty]

Petra?

[RightWhale]

Really think so?

Would be good for Mullah Omar, too. It's a losing game, the Crusading Jihad.

[Xenalyte]

What you said - I'd already said more than most people care to read. You York or Scottish?

[CCWoody]

My faith is strong, and reading questionable material doesn't weaken it - just like hearing Tom Daschle talk doesn't make me believe him. ~ Xenalyte

Teaching that Christ was never crucified for our sins is not a "questionable" teaching. It is a blasphemous teaching that spits on the Propitiation itself.

Teaching that Christ never rose from the dead is not a "questionable" teaching. It is a blasphemous teaching.

Woody.

[Diana Rose]

I would just like to know if there are vaults and what if anything are in them sans controversial relics.