| Knights Templar (freemason Degree) |
Article Index for Knights Templar |
Website Links For Knights Templar |
Information AboutKnights Templar (freemason Degree) |
|
: ''This page is about a Masonic organization. For the medieval Knights Templar, see Knights Templar , and for other uses, please see Templar (disambiguation) .'' Masonic Knights Templar is an international Philanthropic templar organization and is a part of the York Rite in Freemasonry . In the 1700s when freemasonry became public they began to incorporate symbols and traditions of the medieval Knights Templar . The original medieval Order of Knights Templar was established after the First Crusade , and existed from approximately 1118 to 1312. There is no historical evidence conclusively proving links between the medieval Knights Templar, and Masonic Templarism. DESCRIPTION The Masonic Knights Templar are one of the largest Philanthropies in the United States, and the largest Templar order in the world. The Order's efforts include the "Knights Templar Eye Foundation", and the "Knights Templar Holy Land Pilgrimage", which sends both male and female Clergy on a trip to the Holy Land . Scholarships for those seeking higher education are also provided by the Commandery on a case by case basis. The ''Order of Knights Templar'' is the highest possible Degree in York Rite Masonry. Local organizations in the United States are known as Commanderies , and state units are organized as Grand Commanderies. The Order is one of the degrees in Freemasonry that requires the Master Mason to take an oath to always defend Christianity . The organization meets in a designated Masonic Lodge hall, temple, or in a building owned by the Commandery. Membership in the Order is open to Master Masons who have completed the Mark Master Degree and the "Holy Royal Arch Degree" in York Rite Masonry. As in all Masonic organizations, membership requires that the candidate be of sound moral character, have an exemplary reputation, and believe in a Supreme Being . TEMPLAR TRADITIONS In spite of Freemasonry 's general disclaimer that no one Masonic organization claims a direct heritage to the Medieval Knights Templar , certain degrees and orders are obviously patterned after the medieval Order. Some Masons, non-Masons and even anti-Masons believe that certain masonic rites or degrees allude to direct Templar influence.
SEE ALSO
REFERENCES
EXTERNAL LINKS Masonic Knights Templar organizations
|
|
|