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.
KNIGHT CRUSADER OF THE CROSS:
The Knight Crusaders of the Cross is a "chair degree" conferred upon present or past Eminent Commanders of a Commandery. It is not used everywhere, but is
gaining in popularity across the country. The degree originated in Florida in 1969 and spread North. Typically it is conferred at the same time as the state Grand Commandery meeting. The body is styled an Asylum, and
has eight officers, the highest being the Knight Crusader of the East.
The Induction Ceremony opens with three brief lectures on Masonic Templary and the duties of a Commander, followed by the arrangement of the candidates in a cross formation in the center of the Asylum, where they receive refreshment and are dubbed Knight Crusaders of the Cross. It concludes with a brief lecture on the ancient Knight Templars and an explanation of the Jerusalem Cross,as well as the
modes of recognition among Knight Crusaders.
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