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ORDERS OF THE COMMANDERY
Order Of Red Cross
Here we revert to the period of the Royal Arch Degree when the Jews were
returning from Babylon to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. One of their number prevails upon King Darius to
restore the Holy Vessels to the new Temple. They had been carried away by the Babylonian armies when the first
Temple was destroyed. In presenting his plea before the King, The Companion gives a powerful testimony to the
almighty force of Truth.
Order Of Malta
Shifting to the time of the Crusades, admission to the Mediterranean Pass is sought so that a safe pilgrimage
to the Holy Sepulchre might be undertaken. This is a sublime and sacred Order, which culminates in the
enrollment of the supplicant as a Knight of Malta
Order Of The Temple
No Degree or Order in Masonry is more solemn, impressive or soul-searching than the
Order Of The Temple. It is a fitting climax to the labors of the humble penitent, who has faithfully performed the
seven symbolic years of preparation for this consumation of his endeavors. He is knighted a Christian warrior.
Knights Templar were so named because of their close association with the site of the Temple during the years
they occupied Jerusalem. The Ancient Order Of The Temple has been dispersed and its warlike spirit has passed
away. There reamins, however, a spirit of refined and moral Chivalry, which prompts its members to be ever
ready to defend the weak, the innocent, the helpless and the Oppressed.
The Order Of The Temple is often called the most beautiful of all Orders and Degrees of Masonry. No Mason,
who is a beleiver in the Christian religion, should be satisfied until he has received this -- the capstone
of the York Rite.
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