Knights Templar (Freemasonry)

The last degree in York Rite masonry is the Order of Knights Templar, and is known as the summit of York Rite Masonry. It has many organizations, and the largest state level bodies are known in the United States as a Commandery of Knights Templar. The Order is the only degree in Freemasonry that requires the Master Mason to profess a belief in the Christian religion.

While it claims no direct heritage with the former order established after the 1st crusade. The Knights Templar Commandery remains one of the largest philanthropies in the United States. Many of the Orders efforts include the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, and the Knights Templar Holy Land Pilgrimage sending both male and female clergy on a trip to the Holy land.

Membership in the order is open to Master Masons ( Both the Scottish and Ancient York Rite traditions) who have completed the Mark Master Degree, and Holy Royal Arch Degree in York Rite Masonry. As in all Masonic organizations such as the Shriners, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, and the Scottish Rite membership requires that the candidate be of sound moral character, have an exemplary reputation, and believe in a supreme being.

There are many organizations called the Knights Templar including a group styling itself as Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem(SMOTJ). SMOTJ is not affiliated with the Masonic Knights Templar Commandery, and is not recognized as a regular organization by any Masonic Grand Lodge.

See Also

• Freemasonry
• Masonic Lodge
• York Rite
• Scottish Rite
• List of Masonic Grand Lodges

External Links

• Grand Encampment of Knights Templar-USA
• Grand Commandery Knights Templar State of New York
• Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Missouri
• Grand Priory of Scotland (Masonic)