The Commandery of Knights Templar

The Commandery confers Orders, not Degrees. The orders represent a new line of Masonic thought and experience, in that they no longer refer to Ancient Craft Masonry, but to ideals and practices of ancient chivalry and Christianity. The first Commandery order, The Order of The Red Cross, presents the story of the Jewish Prince, Zerubbabel, and his efforts to secure permission of the Persian King Darius to rebuild King Soloman’s Temple. The next order, Knight of Malta, is a departure from Masonry based on the Old Testament and is the first Christian Order. Here, the candidate represents a knightly warrior of the Crusades and is preparing for a trip to the Holy Land. The last order is that of Order of The Temple or Knight Templar, the crowning glory of York Rite Masonry. Again, in this totally Christian Order, the candidate represents a knightly warrior who desires to unite with a Commandery of Knights Templar during the era of the Crusades. After several trials to test his faith, courage, and humility, he is rewarded by achieving his desire. Let us look at these orders in more detail.

Illustrious Order of the Red Cross

An Order emphasizing the lesson of truth. Elements of this Order were practiced in Ancient Lodges before the final form of the Master Mason Degree came into use. It is still practiced in the full ceremonial form by the Knight Masons of Ireland and the Knight Masons of the United States, and as the Red Cross of Babylon in the English Order of the Allied Masonic Degrees.

This order consists of two sections:

(1) Zerubbabel’s (the candidate) admission to the Jewish Council at Jerusalem, in which he is granted permission and authority to travel to Babylon to obtain leave from King Darius to stop the enemies of the Jews from hindering their progress in building the Temple, as well as to recover the Holy Vessels of the Temple which were taken as booty to Babyloktrcn by King Nebuchadnezzar when he destroyed the First Temple. Zerubbabel is also given a sword to defend himself; a sash to remind him of his cause; and a password to get him by Jewish sentinels on his journey. Unfortunately, he is captured and made prisoner upon reaching the domains of King Darius.

(2) At the court of Darius, Zerubbabel renews his earlier friendship with the King, and is granted a position in the royal household. He then participates in a friendly contest with other nobles regarding the question: ” Which is greater? The strength of wine? The power of the King? Or the influence of woman?” Zerubbabel chooses the latter, and adds an additional element: The force of truth. After rendering his rhetorical declamation on women and concluding in favor of truth above all, Zerubbabel is declared the winner of the contest and is granted his desires by the King. To perpetuate the event, Darius creates a new Order, the Order of The Red Cross, and after an obligation, makes Zerubbabel its first member. Next, Zerubbabel receives the signs, grips, and words, as well as a historical lecture. The body is called a Council. The cornerstone of this Order is the all-important attribute of truth, and the importance of keeping one’s word. It foreshadows the words of Jesus: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

Order of Malta

An Order emphasizing the lesson of faith. This Order requires the Mason to profess and practice the Christian faith. The pass degree of the Mediterranean Pass, or Knight of St. Paul prepares the candidate for the Order by introducing the lesson and example of the unfearing and faithful martyr of Christianity. The Order is centered on allegorical elements of the Knights of Malta, inheritors of the medieval Knights Hospitaller.

The Order of Malta must be conferred in either full or short form. The full form is quite intricate and very beautiful but is not conferred ktmaby all Commanderies. The short form is but a summary of the lessons taught in the full form, and this is what is described here. The Order of St. Paul is based on the story of Paul’s shipwreck on the island of Melita (Malta). The candidate represents a knight who is about to depart for the Crusades in the Holy Land. He receives sustenance, both spiritual and physical, to prepare him for his burdensome journey. The Order of Malta is a suitable preparation for the Order of the Temple, in that it provides the candidate with New Testament instruction, particularly in the eight Beatitudes. The symbol of the Order is the Maltese Cross, symbolic of the Beatitudes and the eight languages which once were spoken by its members. The candidate is made a Knight of Malta and is instructed in the words and signs specific to the Order. The body is called a Priory.

Order of the Temple

An Order emphasizing the lessons of self-sacrifice and reverence. It is meant to rekindle the spirit of the medieval Knights Templar devotion and self-sacrifice to Christianity. The history of the Masonic Order is long and convoluted, with the Order's ritual differing between that conferred in England and in the United States. That practiced in the United States has a slight militant zeal to the lesson of Christianity, whereas the English ritual is more allegorical. However, the American ritual is most impressive, and more emphasis is placed on the solemnity and reverence associated with the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ. The presiding body is a Commandery, and the presiding officer is a Commander (titled Eminent).

This Order begins with the candidate, a Knight of Malta, who, after much soul-searching reflection finds answers to certain questions and seeks to unite with a Commandery of Knights Templar. To test his faith, he is directed kt03to perform a number of years of pilgrimage. Being full of zeal and hoping to accomplish more useful deeds, he requests and is granted remission. He assumes a most solemn obligation, and then is obligated to a certain number of years of knightly warfare, as a test of his courage and constancy. Having satisfactorily performed these, he is admitted to the Asylum of the Knights Templar, where he is a participant in certain memorial exercises. Accompanying these exercises is a reading of New Testament scripture and an inspirational slide presentation. He is then required to perform a time of penance in token of his humility. Following this, he seals his membership in the Order in the most solemn, impressive and binding manner, and is duly dubbed a member of the Valiant and Magnanimous Order of the Temple. Again, he receives certain signs, grips, and words, as well as an explanation of the important accoutrements of Templary, the Grand Standard, Baldric, Beauceant, Sword, and Spur. The body is called a Commandery. The relevance of this sublime Order to the Christian Mason can scarcely be overstressed. It provides a vivid connection between the Craft and Christianity. Especially relevant and meaningful is the address given by the Prelate during the course of the ceremonies.