What Is York Rite Masonry?
The Sublime Degree of Master Mason is often thought of as the ultimate degree of Freemasonry. However, many Masonic scholars agree that the narrative of the Craft, as illustrated in the three degrees, is not the whole story.
The Degrees of York Rite Masonry continue that narrative and provide answers to many questions that the newly raised Master Mason may have.
The York Rite is one of the appendant bodies of Freemasonry. York Rite Masonry, which takes its name from the old English city of York, dates back to 1744 in the United Kingdom and has been described as one of the oldest and purest of the Rites.
Like other forms of Masonry, the York Rite is not a religion. Nevertheless, it develops Biblical themes in addition to themes based upon the Medieval Crusades.
Royal Arch Chapter
Cryptic Council
Knights Templar Commandery
Royal Arch Masonry
The symbolism of the Royal Arch picks up where the Symbolic Lodge leaves off. The symbolism of the Blue Lodge Degrees emphasizes the building of King Solomon's Temple. Royal Arch Masonry, also known as Capitular Masonry, continues this narrative through symbols and allegories concerning the Temple, the Ark of the Covenant, the completion of Solomon's Temple, and the recovery of the Lost Word.
Within York Rite Masonry, the Royal Arch Degree is often described as the Master Mason's Degree completed. Its lessons continue themes introduced in the Symbolic Lodge and expand upon teachings that have only been partially revealed to the Master Mason.
Mark Master Mason
Sometimes described as an expansion of the Fellow Craft Degree, emphasizing craftsmanship, responsibility, and the value of honest labor.
Past Master
Conferred because of the historic requirement that only Past Masters of Symbolic Lodges could receive the Royal Arch. It conveys no Past Master authority within a Blue Lodge.
Most Excellent Master
Centers upon the completion and dedication of King Solomon's Temple.
Royal Arch Mason
The culminating Capitular Degree, regarded by many Masons as one of the most beautiful and significant ceremonies in Freemasonry.
In England, the Royal Arch Mason Degree is closely connected with the Master Mason Degree. In 1813, the United Grand Lodge of England declared:
"Ancient Craft Masonry consists of three degrees and no more, namely, those of the Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason including the Holy Royal Arch."
Within Capitular Masonry are contained many of the symbols, allegories, and philosophical lessons necessary to continue the Masonic journey begun within the Lodge.
The Capstone of Ancient Craft Masonry
In architectural symbolism, the capstone is the crowning stone of a structure. For this reason, Royal Arch Masonry has often been called the Capstone of Ancient Craft Masonry.
Cryptic Masonry
After the Degrees of Royal Arch Masonry, the second body of the York Rite is the Council of Royal and Select Masters.
These Degrees expand upon the Royal Arch Degree and the Master Mason Degree, filling important gaps in the Solomonic story and completing one's education in Ancient Craft Masonry.
The Degrees of the Council comprise what is known as Cryptic Masonry or the Cryptic Rite, so named because a crypt or subterranean vault figures prominently within the ceremonies.
The symbolic foundation of these Degrees is the secret vault constructed beneath King Solomon's Temple for the preservation of certain sacred treasures and knowledge.
Royal Master
Examines in greater detail the story surrounding the loss and recovery of the Word and the Holy of Holies within King Solomon's Temple.
Select Master
Concerns the construction and purpose of the subterranean vault introduced within the Royal Arch narrative.
Super Excellent Master
Relates the story of the Babylonian Captivity, King Zedekiah, and the consequences of betrayal and broken fidelity.
Through these ceremonies, a Mason discovers additional details concerning the building of the First Temple, the circumstances surrounding the loss of the Word, and the means by which the sacred treasures were preserved for a future generation.
The Cryptic Degrees emphasize uprightness, integrity, justice, mercy, fervency, zeal, fidelity, and devotion to duty.
Chivalric Masonry
The completion of the York Rite Bodies is the Commandery of Knights Templar. Its ceremonies comprise what is known as Chivalric Masonry because they draw upon traditions associated with medieval Christian knighthood and the Crusades.
Unlike most other Masonic bodies, which require belief in a Supreme Being regardless of religious denomination, membership in the Knights Templar requires the candidate to profess the Christian faith.
The Masonic Knights Templar does not claim direct lineal descent from the historical medieval Knights Templar. Rather, its ceremonies use the ideals, imagery, and traditions of Christian knighthood to teach moral and spiritual lessons.
Illustrious Order of the Red Cross
Illustrates events surrounding Zerubbabel and the preparations for rebuilding the Second Temple, with a powerful emphasis upon Truth.
Order of Malta
Relates themes connected with St. Paul, the island of Malta, Christian charity, faith, mercy, and the traditions of the Knights of Malta.
Order of the Temple
The crowning Order of the York Rite, emphasizing Christian faith, sacrifice, humility, courage, obedience, and the ideals of Christian Knighthood.
The Knights Templar is founded upon the practice of Christian virtues, moral values, spiritual lessons, and service. Its members are encouraged to conduct their lives according to the highest ideals of Christian Knighthood.
A Continuing Masonic Journey
The rich history of York Rite Masonry is undeniable. Its Degrees and Orders continue the historical, philosophical, Biblical, and allegorical teachings begun within the Symbolic Lodge.
For the Master Mason fascinated by the lessons and mysteries of Freemasonry, the York Rite offers an opportunity to continue that search for knowledge through the Royal Arch Chapter, the Cryptic Council, and the Commandery of Knights Templar.
Every Master Mason should consider the Royal Arch, and every Christian Mason should consider becoming a Knight Templar.
How to Join the York Rite
If you are a Master Mason interested in joining the York Rite, begin by reviewing the list of Royal Arch Chapters in Florida and finding the Chapter closest to you.
Contact the Chapter Secretary and ask about the local York Rite Bodies, meeting dates, membership fees, petitions, and upcoming Degrees. The Secretary can guide you through the petition process and help you begin your York Rite journey.
Once your petition is completed, the applicable fees are paid, and your petition is favorably acted upon, you will be advised when the first York Rite Degree, the Mark Master Mason Degree, will be conferred.
If your schedule prevents you from receiving the Degrees through your local York Rite Bodies, ask about the many York Rite Degree Festivals conducted throughout Florida.
If you are not yet a Master Mason, visit the Grand Lodge F&AM of Florida for information about becoming a Florida Mason.
