Chivalric Orders
Chivalric Orders
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.
The Knights Templar
The Orders of Knighthood: Meaning and Significance
Within the Commandery of Knights Templar, three chivalric Orders are conferred upon a Christian Master Mason who has completed the Chapter (Royal Arch) and Council (Cryptic) degrees of the York Rite. These Orders are not degrees in the traditional Masonic sense, but rather Orders of Christian Knighthood, each rich in allegory, symbolism, and spiritual purpose. Together, they form the capstone experience of the York Rite and offer a profound exploration of Christian virtue, service, and sacrifice.
Order Of The Red Cross
This is the first Order conferred upon a candidate entering the Commandery. It recounts the historical period of the rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and centers on the legendary trial of Zerubbabel, a prince of Judah and companion of the Royal Arch.
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.”
Meaning and Symbolism:
The Order emphasizes the power of truth and the triumph of integrity over tyranny. Through an allegorical courtroom drama, Zerubbabel defends his faith and loyalty before King Darius of Persia, ultimately securing his right to rebuild the Temple.
Moral Lesson:
The Order of the Red Cross teaches that truth is the strongest force on earth. It encourages every Knight to defend the truth courageously, even in the face of great personal risk. It is a call to righteous conviction and moral clarity.
Order Of Malta
Also known as the Order of Knights of St. Paul, this Order draws upon the early Christian history of the Apostle Paul and his journey to the island of Malta. It transitions the candidate from a figurative soldier of truth to a soldier of faith.
This Order consists of: The Order of St. Paul, or the Mediterranean Pass, which is somewhat preparatory to the 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 intricate and very beautiful but is not conferred by 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.
Meaning and Symbolism:
This Order explores the theme of spiritual rebirth and Christian knighthood. The ceremonies reference the Crusader heritage of the medieval Knights of Malta (also known as the Knights Hospitaller), who combined monastic devotion with martial defense of the faith.
Moral Lesson:
The Order of Malta teaches humility, compassion, and the importance of defending the Christian faith with charity and grace. It emphasizes service to others, especially the poor and sick, as an expression of living faith.
Order Of The Temple
The crowning Order of the Commandery, the Order of the Temple is the most solemn and spiritually profound of the three. It draws upon the legacy of the historical Knights Templar and culminates in the knighting ceremony, where the candidate becomes a true Christian Knight.
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 to 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.
Meaning and Symbolism:
Set in a deeply spiritual tone, this Order traces the path of the aspirant Knight as he moves through symbolic trials of self-reflection, penance, and commitment. The ritual reflects Christ’s death and resurrection and draws the candidate into a symbolic participation in that redemptive journey.
Moral Lesson:
The Order of the Temple teaches self-sacrifice, unwavering faith, and the willingness to take up one’s cross in service to God and humanity. It is a call to live a life of honor, obedience, and devotion, placing Christian virtues above all worldly ambitions.
Templary
Collectively, these three Orders form the spiritual heart of Templary. They transform the Mason from a seeker of moral truth into a sworn defender of the Christian faith. The lessons taught in the Orders of the Red Cross, Malta, and Temple are timeless—anchoring the modern Knight Templar in a tradition of truth, faith, and service that has inspired generations of Freemasons to live with courage, conviction, and compassion.
Order of Knights Crusader of the Cross
This Grand Commandery holds authority over and recognized the Florida Order of Knights Crusaders of the Cross, which may confer such Order upon all present or Past Commanders of Constituent Commanderies under the jurisdiction of this Grand Commandery.
Knight Crusader of the Cross is a “chair degree,” within the York Rite system, available for present and past Eminent Commanders.
The body is referred to as an “Asylum” and is supported by the following officers:
- Knight Crusader of the East
- Knight Crusader of the West
- Knight Crusader of the South
- Knight Crusader of the North
- Knight Crusader Treasurer-Recorder
- Knight Crusader of the Holy Cross
- Knight Crusader of the Asylum
- Knight Crusader of the Temple
This order was established in Florida in 1969. Like the other chair degrees in the York Rite, this order meets and confers this degree at the state Grand Commandery meeting which is how most “chair degrees” operate.
The initiation is opened with three brief lectures on Masonic Templary and the duties of a Commander. The candidates are then arranged according to the ritual and dubbed “Knight Crusaders of the Cross.” It ends with a brief lecture on the ancient Knight Templars and an explanation of the emblem of the order and the modes of recognition of the order. The emblem of the order is the Jerusalem Cross with the motto “Non Nobis Domine Non Nobis Sed Nomini Tua Da Gloriam” or “Not to us, not to us, O Lord, But to thy name give glory.”
