Chivalric Orders
The Commandery confers Orders, not Degrees. These Orders represent a new line of Masonic thought and experience, turning from Ancient Craft Masonry toward the ideals and practices of ancient chivalry and Christianity.
The Order of the Red Cross presents the story of Zerubbabel and his effort to secure permission from King Darius to rebuild the Temple. The Order of Malta introduces the candidate to Christian knighthood and the lessons of faith, humility, and service. The Order of the Temple, or Knight Templar, is the crowning glory of York Rite Masonry, testing the candidate in faith, courage, humility, and devotion.
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 and Council degrees of the York Rite. These are not degrees in the traditional Masonic sense, but 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 upon the legendary trial of Zerubbabel, a prince of Judah and companion of the Royal Arch.
The Order is presented in two sections. First, Zerubbabel is admitted to the Jewish Council at Jerusalem and receives permission to travel to Babylon to seek leave from King Darius to stop the enemies of the Jews from hindering the rebuilding of the Temple and to recover the Holy Vessels taken by Nebuchadnezzar. He receives a sword, a sash, and a password for his journey, but is captured upon reaching the domains of King Darius.
At the court of Darius, Zerubbabel renews his friendship with the King and participates in a contest concerning which is greater: the strength of wine, the power of the king, or the influence of woman. Zerubbabel declares the force of truth to be above all, is declared the victor, and receives his request from the King. To commemorate the event, Darius creates the Order of the Red Cross and makes Zerubbabel its first member.
Meaning and Symbolism
The Order emphasizes the power of truth and the triumph of integrity over tyranny. Through allegory, Zerubbabel defends his faith and loyalty before King Darius and secures the right to rebuild the Temple.
Moral Lesson
The Order of the Red Cross teaches that truth is the strongest force on earth and calls every Knight to defend truth courageously, even in the face of personal risk.
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.
The Order includes the Order of St. Paul, or Mediterranean Pass, which prepares the candidate for the Order of Malta. Based upon Paul's shipwreck on Melita, the candidate represents a knight preparing to depart for the Crusades in the Holy Land and receives both spiritual and physical sustenance for the journey.
The Order of Malta provides New Testament instruction, especially through the Beatitudes. The Maltese Cross symbolizes the Beatitudes and the ancient languages once spoken by its members. The candidate is made a Knight of Malta and instructed in the words and signs of the Order. The body is called a Priory.
Meaning and Symbolism
This Order explores spiritual rebirth and Christian knighthood, drawing upon Crusader heritage and the medieval Knights of Malta, 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, especially through service to the poor and sick.
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 Christian Knight.
The candidate, already a Knight of Malta, seeks to unite with a Commandery of Knights Templar. Through symbolic trials of pilgrimage, warfare, reflection, penance, and devotion, he is tested in faith, courage, constancy, and humility.
He is received into the Asylum of the Knights Templar, participates in memorial exercises, hears New Testament scripture, and seals his membership in a solemn and binding manner. He is then dubbed a member of the Valiant and Magnanimous Order of the Temple and instructed in the important accoutrements of Templary, including the Grand Standard, Baldric, Beauceant, Sword, and Spur. The body is called a Commandery.
Meaning and Symbolism
This Order traces the path of the aspirant Knight through self-reflection, penance, and commitment, drawing the candidate into a symbolic participation in the Christian journey of redemption.
Moral Lesson
The Order of the Temple teaches self-sacrifice, unwavering faith, obedience, devotion, and the willingness to take up one's cross in service to God and humanity.
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, anchored in a tradition of truth, faith, and service.
Order of Knights Crusader of the Cross
Florida Order of Knights Crusader of the Cross
This Grand Commandery holds authority over and recognizes the Florida Order of Knights Crusader of the Cross, which may confer the 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 to 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 other chair degrees in the York Rite, it meets and confers the degree at the annual state Grand Commandery meeting.
The initiation opens with three brief lectures on Masonic Templary and the duties of a Commander. Candidates are arranged according to the ritual and dubbed Knight Crusaders of the Cross. The ceremony concludes with a lecture on the ancient Knight Templars and an explanation of the emblem and modes of recognition.
The emblem of the Order is the Jerusalem Cross with the motto Non Nobis Domine Non Nobis Sed Nomini Tua Da Gloriam, meaning, "Not to us, not to us, O Lord, but to thy name give glory."
The Orders of the Commandery call every Sir Knight to live with courage, conviction, humility, faith, and service. Through the Chivalric Orders, the lessons of the York Rite are completed in the sacred ideals of Christian Knighthood.
