The Commandery of Knights Templar
The Commandery orders represent a new direction of Masonic thought and
experience, in that they no longer refer to Ancient Craft Masonry, but to ideals
and practices of chivalry and Christianity. The first Commandery order, the
Illustrious 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 the second temple at Jerusalem. The next order, Knight of Malta, is a
complete departure from Masonry based on the Old Testament and is the first
Christian order. Here, the candidate represents a knightly warrior of the
Crusades prior to his departure for the Holy Land. The last order is that of
Knight Templar, the crowning glory of the York Rite system. Again, in this
totally Christian order, the candidate represents a knightly postulant 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 consider these orders in more detail.
RED CROSS:
This order consists of two sections: (1)
Zerubbabel's (the candidate) admission to the Jewish Council at Jerusalem, in
which he is invested with permission and authority to travel to Babylon and
attempt 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 Babylon 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 of the realm regarding the question: " Which is greater? The
strength of wine? The power of the king? Or the influence of woman?" Zerubbabel
contends for the latter, and adds an additional factor: The force of truth.
After delivering his 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 occasion, Darius creates a new order, the
Illustrious Order of the Red Cross, and after an obligation, makes Zerubbabel
its first member. Next follow 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:
This Order actually consists of two: The
Order of St. Paul, or the Mediterranean Pass, which is a preparatory order, and
the Order of Malta itself. The Order of Malta must be conferred in either full
or short form. The full form is quite elaborate and beautiful but, alas, is not
conferred by many Commanderies. The short form is but a summary of the lessons
taught in the full form, and this is what I will describe 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 about to depart for the Crusades in the Holy
Land. He receives sustenance, both spiritual and physical, to prepare him for
the ardors of his journey. The Order of Malta is a suitable preparation for the
Order of the Temple, in that it provides the candidate with additional 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 created a Knight of
Malta and invested with words and signs specific to the Order. The body is
called a Priory.
KNIGHT TEMPLAR:
This Order begins with the candidate, a
Knight of Malta, who, after soul-searching reflection and suitable answers to
certain questions, seeks to unite with a Commandery of Knights Templar. To test
his faith, his directed to perform a certain number of years of pilgrimage.
Being full of zeal and wishing 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
to KS, HKofT, GMHA, and Simon of Cyrene. 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.
A Knight Templar Commandery has 12 officers, in order of rank: Eminent
Commander, Generalissimo, Captain General, Recorder, Treasurer, Prelate, Sr.
Warden, Jr. Warden, Standard Bearer, Sword Bearer, Warder, and Sentinel. Some
jurisdictions also have a Marshal. Members are styled "Sir Knight". At least 9
Knights must be present to open a Commandery. Commanderies usually meet monthly.
The state governing body is the Grand Commandery. The national body, to which
Grand Commanderies must belong, is the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of
the United States of America.
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