If you are a Master Mason interested in joining the York Rite, then we suggest you check out the list of Royal Arch Chapters in Florida, and find the Chapter that is located closest to you. Then get the contact information for that Chapter (the Chapter Secretary) and ask them about their local York Rite, when they meet, fees for joining, and when the next Degrees will be held. The Secretary can help you on your way to joining the York Rite, and provide you a petition for membership. Once you complete your petition and pay your fees, your petition will be voted upon, and you will be informed when the first of the York Rite degrees (the Mark Master Mason) will be conferred. If you cannot attend degrees at a local York Rite body, you may want to ask the Secretary about the many degree festivals held across the State, to see if you can receive your work then. If you have any questions, please, do not hesitate to contact our Grand Secretary for more information. If you are not a Master Mason, then we recommend that you contact the Grand Lodge F&AM of Florida for more information about joining the Craft.

All Knights Templar are members of the world’s oldest fraternal organization known as “The Ancient Free and Accepted Masons” or more commonly known as “Masons.” However, not all masons are Templars. Templary is a part of the Masonic structure known as the “York Rite of Freemasonry.”

Currently, Templar membership consists of people from all walks of life, including doctors, lawyers, clergy, businessmen and entertainment personalities, all of whom profess a belief in the Christian Religion.

Commanderies usually meet monthly. At least 9 Knights must be present to open a Commandery.

The Knights Templar operate on a local, state and national level. But their religious activities extend across international borders as well. In addition to the United States there are Commanderies in many countries such as Germany, Italy, Mexico, Japan and South American countries.

Nationally, there is the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar. This unit defines the rituals and laws governing state and local level organizations.

The State level is called a Grand Commandery of Knights Templar. This organization represents members of a state or area.  The Local level organization is called a Commandery of Knights Templar. Some communities depending on population have more than one Commandery while there are many populated areas that do not have a commandery.

A Knight Templar Commandery has 12 officers:

Commander
Generalissimo
Captain General
Sr. Warden
Jr. Warden
Prelate
Treasurer
Recorder
Standard Bearer
Sword Bearer
Warder
Sentinel
Some jurisdictions also have a Marshal.

Members are referred to by each other as “Sir Knight.”

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.

Easter is a hallowed day in the Templar calendar. Marking as it does the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Easter represents the summit of all hopes of our Christian Faith. The Grand Encampment especially encourages every Sir Knight to attend the church of his choice on that great day in celebrating the great victory of Christ over death.

The official Easter Sunrise Service sponsored by the Grand Encampment is held each year on the steps of the George Washington National Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, VA. The public is most welcome. The starting time is 7:00 a.m. when the Sir Knights in full Templar uniform march up the hill to the strains of “Onward Christian Soldiers”. Services have been added in Kansas City and California.

Every Commandery is encouraged to hold a Public Christmas Observance in December. This is a joyous occasion to celebrate the birth of the Savior of Mankind. This service may be held on any day of the week and need not be at the time of meeting of the Commandery.