The Side Degrees
Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest
The origins of this order are known with any certainty. Some say it came into existence in the late 17th century. However, we find traces of its existence to the 18th and 19th centuries in England, Scotland, Ireland, Corfu, France and probably the United States and Canada. The history of its origin is obscure because that order was known by other names including:
- Order of Melchizedec
- Priest of Pilar
- White Mason
- Ordre of Holy Wisdom
- « Nec Plus Ultra » Templar
The Knights of the Temple Priests of the Holy Royal Arch Order has gradually turned off during the 19th Century. At the end of this century, a Mason known as Henry Hotham, who had been initiated into the Order and restored it in Newcastle. He formed the “Royal Kent ” Tabernacle.
For a short time this order was associated with the Allied Masonic Degrees. It was then independent.
A Grand College was formed in York, England and then in United States. Its role is to provide leadership of the Order.
Since 1960, the Knights of the Temple Priests of the Holy Royal Arch has strongly grown. There are now Tabernacles in most country where Freemasonry exists.
It has 33… Continue reading
The Societas Rosicruciana In Anglia
The Societas Rosicruciana Anglia is a Christian organization independent of any Masonic structure. All its members are still active Master Masons in their symbolic lodges. The degrees conferred by this organization are not considered as higher degree but rather as a complement to the Master Mason degree.
The Masonic Rosicrucian organization was founded in 1865 by Robert Wentworth, this following the discovery of certain manuscripts in the earliest records of the Grand Lodge of England.
It uses symbolism and traditions of a much older society known as the Brotherhood of the Rose + Cross, claiming its legendary founder Christian Rosenkreutz. The SRIA has spread to Scotland, the USA, France and other European countries.
The SRIA is organized into nine degrees, each with a specific ritual. In addition to their attendance, members of the SRIA are encouraged to actively participate, learn, do research and share their fruits. The main research topics are moving around Wisdom, Philosophy, the Ancient World, Art and Literature.
The purpose is to provide its members an open mind on the true nature of things and understanding the world in which they operate.
The members of the SRIA are grouped into Colleges.
Admission to the SRIA is limited… Continue reading
The Holy Royal Arch of Jerusalem
The Origins of the holy Royal Arch of Jerusalem degree
The Supreme Grand Chapter of England was established in 1817, but it is historically evident that the Chapters were formed in other countries around 1740 … Thus, this degree could be originated in England, Ireland or France. Most researchers, however, supports a French origin of this degree.
Degree or Order? There was much discussion as to whether the “Royal Arch” is the complement of the third degree or a specific degree. The constitutions of the ancient craft (and 1813’s act of union) state that “The pure Ancient Freemasonry consists of three degrees and no more, namely that of Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch”. This definition considers the Holy Royal Arch of Jerusalem as a supplement to the third degree.
We have no knowledge or certainty about the origin of the degree of Royal Arch. It is thus impossible to say when, where, how or why it was created. Many books have been published on the subject with conclusions very relevant and very different.
The Royal Arch degree organization
In England and France, the National Grand Chapter of the Holy Royal… Continue reading