Templar leader alleges Jesus' remains hidden in secret U.S. vaults
A modern-day leader of a Knights Templar offshoot has stirred controversy by claiming that the physical remains of Jesus Christ and his family are hidden in two secret vaults in the Northwestern United States.
Timothy W. Hogan, who serves as Grand Master of a contemporary Templar order, says these bones were secretly relocated from a burial site in East Jerusalem centuries ago to shield them from the Vatican, Daily Mail reported.
Hogan asserted during a recent appearance on the Danny Jones Podcast, where he alleged that an ancient Templar mission found ossuaries in what is now known as the Talpiot Tomb in Jerusalem. According to Hogan, these remains were transported and preserved to prevent them from being suppressed by religious authorities.
Contested Tomb in Jerusalem Sparks Debate
The Talpiot Tomb was unearthed in 1980 and contained 10 stone boxes used for burial, known as ossuaries. Six were inscribed with names associated with figures from early Christianity, including one marked “Yeshua bar Yehosef,” translating to “Jesus, son of Joseph.”
Though the tomb’s discovery drew public interest, no scholarly consensus has ever validated its alleged link to Jesus of Nazareth. Yet, some—including Hogan—believe the names and contents suggest otherwise.
Hogan claims that during the medieval era, the original Knights Templar found and removed the bones from the Talpiot site. These relics, he says, were then transported via secret routes and ultimately concealed in specially designed vaults in the American Northwest.
Secret Vaults Allegedly Hold Holy Remains
Hogan’s Templar order contends that what began as seven storage vaults was eventually consolidated into two. The modern order believes these two remaining vaults hold six sacred arks and ossuaries allegedly containing the remains of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, John the Baptist, and their children.
“This isn't something we're trying to hide,” Hogan said during the podcast. “We've just been trying to protect it.” He claims those involved feared that if these relics had been handed over to the Vatican, they would “vanish.”
According to Hogan, the Vatican is aware of the existence of some Templar vaults but does not know where the two vaults in the United States are located. He also alleged the Vatican attempted to access a vault in Istanbul in recent years but was unsuccessful.
Tensions with the Church Over Historical Claims
The now-defunct medieval Knights Templar order was formed around the 12th century and was known for protecting Christian pilgrims. It was officially disbanded in 1312 by the pope amid accusations of heresy and corruption.
Hogan contends that secrecy surrounding the alleged remains stems from concerns that the physical evidence challenges the Christian doctrine of resurrection. “The Church would have buried the story because it contradicts their doctrine,” he said.
The Grand Master maintains that the resurrection, as described in scripture, was never a literal rising but a type of spiritual awakening. He interprets “being born again” as reincarnation, citing passages in the New Testament he claims support this idea.
DNA Testing Pitched as Future Evidence
No scientific testing has yet confirmed any of his claims. However, Hogan reports that his group has recovered bone fragments from the Talpiot Tomb that may hold enough genetic material for DNA comparison. “Certain fragments recently recovered could be used to make a match, assuming everything lines up,” he stated.
He says the Templar order hopes to perform these tests soon, using historical shipping records and family lineages to validate the identities of the remains. But as of now, no such testing has been conducted.
Another vault, said to be a former Templar site, is located in Istanbul and is now controlled by the Turkish Antiquities. Hogan claims the vault contains additional relics and is known to Turkish authorities, who keep the order informed about its condition.
Modern Claims Face Academic Skepticism
Modern historians and biblical scholars remain unconvinced. Most experts reject Hogan’s assertions due to the absence of verifiable evidence and the speculative nature of his narrative.
The mainstream Christian view holds that Jesus experienced a bodily resurrection, a belief central to the faith. Mary Magdalene is traditionally described as a follower of Jesus and was the first witness to his resurrection. John the Baptist, believed to be Jesus’ cousin, is credited with baptizing him before being executed.
In his version, however, Hogan states that Mary Magdalene first married John the Baptist and had children, then lawfully wed Jesus after John’s death. The remains of all three figures, as well as their descendants, are said to rest within the American vaults.
