OSTI

A balanced, informed, and critical evaluation of OSTI

OSTI – Ordre Souverain du Temple Initiatique

Sovereign Grand Commander: David Sahyoun

Alias: CIRCES International, Templar Research Institute, OSTI Souverain Grand Commandery USA

Size: Medium

Templarism Approach: Esoteric

Clarity of Succession: High

Relations with other Branches: Relations limited, but positive. Has Friendship Agreement with OSMTJ-Mangum.

Archive: Medium

Respectability: High Respectability

Unique Holdings:

Holds numerous Trademarks in USA, Australia, South Africa, Canada and France, including; Order du Temple, Ordre Souverain du Temple Initiatique, OSTI
Permanent Chapel/Commandery in Sint-Michielskerk, Ghent, Belgium
Holds Sword and Grand Master’s Seal of Raymond Bernard

Pros:

This branch of the OSTI, headquartered in the USA, was granted complete autonomy by late Grand Master, Raymond Bernard, in 1992. Allowing them to operate separately from the group headquartered in France.
Benefits of cooperation with other well established and respectable orders.
All internal decisions of the organization are made by a council in a collegial manner, thus not allowing any one individual to dictate the direction and functioning of the Order.
This order maintains, to the best of their ability, the spirit of equality amongst their membership, without, for the most part, the distinctions of rank or supremacy. Maintaining that all are equal in the eyes of God, especially within the Temple.

Cons:

Reputation was momentarily harmed by a high ranking member who was unanimously voted to be removed from office. In order to maintain the dignity of both parties, the organization proposed that they allow this person to abdicate their office, or be removed. The individual agreed to abdicate and relinquished all responsibilities of their office. This member, disgruntled, founded their own order, thus resulting in an illegitimate split which remains unrecognized.