About the Knights Templar

Generally, individual Commanderies operate under the Jurisdiction of the Grand Commanderies of their respective states - they in turn under the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the U.S.A.

In the Commandery, the Chivalric Orders of Christian Knighthood are conferred as follows:

1. The Illustrious Order of the Red Cross.
   
2. The Order of Knight of Malta.
   
3. The Order of the Temple.

The Illustrious Order of the Red Cross is founded upon Truth - a divine attribute, the foundation of every virtue.

The Order of Knight of Malta, first called Knights Hospitaller of St. John of Jerusalem, is know to have been in existence as early as 1099 A.D. It was the first organized body whose avowed purpose was the succor and care of the injured on a field of battle. The teaching of Christian application of Masonic precepts begins with this Order. The Order of the Temple, is the crowning glory of York Rite Masonry; it has been characterized by many as the most solemn and impressive experience in Masonry.

"The only argument which can be used against Knightly Orders as component parts of the Masonic System is that they are essentially Christian in their Character and scope. This arises, however, from the circumstances which are inseparably interwoven in the world's history and which therefore cannot be annulled. We have inherited from the fathers' aforetime an organization which, has for it symbol, the triumph of the Cross and which commemorates the deeds of its defenders. Having accepted the inheritance, we must adhere to the fact that was sealed in blood amid the din of arms and the carnage of battle."                                                                                                                                 - Warvelle

While Freemasonry demands only a belief in God; while Hindu, Mohammedan, Jew and Gentile may worship around its altars, yet it cannot be deemed inconsistent that the Christian Freemason should establish a branch of the fraternity where he may be free to interpret the symbols of the Blue Lodge according to his religious belief.

Thus the Masonic Orders of Christian Knighthood are the logical outcome of the Christian Mason's belief in Christ as Lion of the tribe of Judah, whose hand will raise the dead to life and in whose Holy Name the True Word is found and restored at last. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Every Christian Mason
should be a
Knights Templar

For further information about the Knights Templar, CONTACT the San Diego York Rite Commandery.