The C.’.B.’.C.’.S.’. is the chivalric branch of the martinist tradition, where knighthood meets the martinist doctrine.

The aim of the C.’.B.’.C.’.S.’. is enable the Chevalieres to follow the Imitation of Christ, and adopt a life of moral chivalry as the basis of all spiritual attainment. Furthering the personal work of rebuilding what once was lost, the work of the Knights and the Dames of the order is to manifest the charitable teachings of martinism in the world through beneficent and unselfish deeds.

C.’.B.’.C.’.S.’. is thus the chivalric branch of the martinist tradition, the poor knights of Christ.

The original creator of the CBCS, was Jean Baptiste Willermoz (1730 – 1824), close friend and student of Martinez de Pasqually:

When Pasqually died in 1774, the teachings of his master were at risk of being lost, and Willermoz then decided to use a Masonic body as a vehicle for the inner and secret teachings of the Order of Elus Cohens.

Willermoz was a pragmatic person, a brilliant esoteric scholar and innovator.

His work as a freemason is of fundamental impact and erudition, but has sadly been forgotten over the centuries. But history portrays him as an ardent knight of truth fighting to rectify the decadence of secret societies and the lack of sincere desire for enlightenment within them.

He is credited not only for securing the survival of martinism with the C.’.B.’.C.’.S.’. but was also the original author behind the Rose Croix degree of freemasonry, as it is now known in Scottish rites.

He was an avid archivist in several rites, and held an extensive collection of the original Elus Cohen material, which he treasured above any other: at the age of ninety-two he advised his last student, the Baron of Turkheim to make Pasqually?s Treatise his primary and daily study.

These teachings were his to expound upon, as he held the highest degree in the old order of Pasqually, and thus he, in his well known luminous and inspired style, reformed them into a suitable form of chivalric tradition whose aim was the practical application of martinism in human society.

C.’.B.’.C.’.S.’. was originally intimately connected to the german Masonic rite of the templar order, the Stricte Obsevance of Baron von Hund, where Willermoz was given the right to reform the degrees to encompass the teachings of his own master.

As the O.’.R.’.C.’. is a martinist order, we practice a reformed branch of the C.’.B.’.C.’.S.’. based upon the direct teachings and lineages of our predecessors.

The reformed O.’.R.’.C.’.: C.’.B.’.C.’.S.’. is thus absolutely independent of Masonic tradition, or any obedience that uses these knightly degrees or affiliations.

The Order has a total of 7 degrees of work, and one administrative degree. These are divided into three independent classes.

The Order is open to both men and women of good standing, of at least the age of 24, with different initiation rituals for Knights and Dames.

The Secret martinist teachings formerly kept in the class of “Profession”, the 7th and first degree of the old Secret Class, are in the ORC developed into every faculty and degree of the C.’.B.’.C.’.S.’. branch. This ensures that martinist doctrine is prevalent over, and replaces all other symbolic languages, enabling the rite to stand out as a pure martinist chivalric way of
reintegration, presented with the words and directions of Willermoz? legacy.

For more information about the C.’.B.’.C.’.S.’. please read on in the history- or membership-section.

Membership

Membership in the ORC: CBCS is open to every member of the Voie Cardiaque who has attained to the second degree of Initiate in our Order, and who passes an evaluation by the senior members.

Any candidate seeking initiation must be attracted to Christian symbolism and myths, and seeking moral development within the framework of the Christian faith.

Each candidate must have two sponsors, who examine the knowledge and capacities of the candidate before a formal application can take place.

The C.’.B.’.C.’.S.’. is today worked in Norway, Sweden and Argentina.