Entering upon the York Rite starts with the Capitular Degrees of the Holy Royal Arch, although in joining the York Rite, one may elect to receive only the Capitular Degrees and not the Council Degrees or Orders of the Commandery; however, completion of the Capitular and Cryptic Degrees is necessary for application for the Orders of the Commandery.

Royal Arch Chapter

To become a Royal Arch Mason, a brother must first have passed a suitable examination as to his proficiency in the Master Mason Degree.

Cryptic Masons

To become a member of a council of Cryptic Masons, a Royal Arch Masons must petition the Cryptic Council for member. The Council refers to its members a Royal and Select Masters.

Knights Templar

The nature of a Commandery of Knights Templar is of interest for Masons who hold Christian ideals. The prerequisites for membership are being both a Capitular and Cryptic Mason, and being agreeable to being a sword Knight of Christ. The Commandery Orders are the Order of the Red Cross, The Order of the Mediterranean Pass and Malta, and the Order of the Temple.

To join the Utah #1 York Rite Bodies, a Master Mason in Good Standing simply needs to petition for membership. This single petition can be used for one, or all York Rite bodies. In a Royal Arch Mason, or a Select Master seek to further their studies, they may use the same petition.

A Master Mason should be interested in Masonic advancement and the lessons exemplified in the York Rite degrees –lessons of honesty, charity, harmony, justice, spirituality, service, fortitude, hope, prudence, fidelity, truth, religion, faith, love, and toleration, become part of one’s life as a Mason. The York Rite becomes that teacher of the philosophy of the Blue Lodge Mason.

Illustrious Order of the Red Cross

Order of Malta

Order of the Temple

Mark Master Degree

The Mark Master Degree is believed to have originated as a ceremony of registering a craftsman’s mark in those years distinguished by operative craft masons and their temple building. It was later developed into a full-fledged degree by the Masonic fraternity as we know it today, Some scholars say it was the earliest degree and may predate all others by many years. It is highly regarded by students in all Masonry, teaching lessons that have proven of value in all walks of life. Some Grand Lodges place so high an eminence on the Mark Master Degree, that they confine it to the jurisdiction of a separate grand body, the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters.

Past Masters Degree

The Past Master Degree came into being because originally the degree of Royal Arch was conferred by the Symbolic (Blue) Lodge only on actual Past Masters. This degree was instituted to make it possible for all worthy Brethren to receive the Royal Arch degree. The first record of its conferral is found in 1768 in England.

Most Excellent Master

The Most Excellent Master Degree is a product of American innovation. It was conferred in a Royal Arch Chapter as early as 1783 in Middletown, Conn. It is by far the most spectacular degree in all Freemasonry. It is the only degree that brings forcibly to our attention the completion and dedication of King Solomon’s Temple. The very idea upon which all Masonic symbolism has been based.

Holy Royal Arch

The Royal Arch Degree is the climax of Ancient Craft Masonry and Masonic Symbolism. It is described as “the root and marrow of Freemasonry.” It is the complete story of Jewish History during some of its darkest hours. Jerusalem and the Holy temple are destroyed, The people are being held captive as slaves in Babylon. Here you will join with some slaves as they are set free to return home and engage in the noble and glorious work of rebuilding the city and the Temple of God. It is during this rebuilding that they make a discovery that brings to light the greatest treasure of a Mason –the long lost Master’s Word.

Many historians have traced the earliest origins of the Royal Arch Degree to Ireland, late in the 17th century and in England in 1738, In 1752, ambulatory or military warrants for Lodges were introduced. This was instrumental in placing the Royal Arch Degree on a par with the Master Mason Degree.

Military lodges were greatly responsible for planting Freemasonry in the Colonies and also gave birth to the use of the Marl and Royal Arch degrees in the “New World.” Lodge records show that the Royal Arch Degree was conferred at Fredericksburg No. 4 on December 12, 1753. George Washington was raised in this lodge a few months prior to this date.

The value of Royal Arch Masonry will be appreciated by all who are exalted to that most sublime degree, particularly by those who are seeking to complete their Masonic education. It reveals the full light of Ancient Craft Masonry, presents it as a complete system in accordance with the original plan and justly entitles you to claim the noble name of Master Mason.

One reason for its popularity is that it completes a story, a Masonic allegory. Freemasonry is very philosophical and teaches its ideals by allegory or story. Ancient Cryptic Masonry centers around the story of the preservation, loss and recovery of the Word. The Word represents man’s search for life’s purpose and the nature of Deity. Symbolic Freemasonry, as in the Lodge, teaches of the loss of the Word and hope for its recovery. Royal Arch Masonry, as in the Chapter, teaches its recovery. Cryptic Masonry, as in the Council, completes this story by teaching of the Word’s initial preservation.

The stage was for Templary.

In 1118, the Poor-Fellow Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon formed as a Monastic Order with a Rule written by Bernard of Clairvaux, to secure the way for Pilgrims to the Holy Land. Being Monks and Knights, the Templars became the first Warrior-Monks in the west

Skilled as warriors, taking vows of poverty and bravery (no Templar could retreat unless he was outnumbered 3-to-1), these Knights became heroes of Commoner and King alike. Their fame spread like wildfire. Rulers and Bishops hastened to identify themselves with Knights Templar, presenting gold and property to the Order to show their patronage and boost their own appeal.

Kings and aristocrats gave so much to the order in fact, that in 200 years Templars possessed greater land holdings, larger treasuries, and military power in Europe than in the Holy Land. In fact, they had more land, money, and military power than most of Europe and the Holy See combined.

Feared as warriors, renown for their charity, and pursued for growing wealth and power, it was only a matter of time until appeal of the Templar waned.

Perhaps for their wealth, or fear of their apparently limitless power and influence the Templars fell in 1307, the result of a conspiracy of the French King Phillip the Fair, and Pope Clement V. By 1324 the Templars all but ceased to exist with the death of their last Grand Master Jacques De Molay.

It is here that modern Masonic Templarly connects with historical Templarly. No direct, unbroken line of succession exists between historical and modern Masonic Templars. The earliest references to Masonic Knights Templar are no eariler than the 18th Century in England, usually associated with Antient or York Masons. Some Degrees of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry allude to legendary connection, but no historical connection can be made from these suggestions either.

However, a legendary and spiritual connection does exist. Templars were sworn Knights of Christ, marked by their discipline, dedication, lack of fear, unwavering faith, and their Charity to the pilgrims. Modern Templars seek to emulate these great principles as best demonstrated by Jacques De Molay, who was so intensely dedicated to his beliefs, and was so bound by Brotherhood, that he burned alive at the sake, rather than give in to the King of France and the Pope.

This is the first degree of the Cryptic Rite as conferred in the United States of America. Candidates who receive the degree are impressed with its dignified ritual and relevant teachings. It contains one section which is generally regarded as an outstanding display of symbolism and content of philosophy. The ritualistic presentations in the degree explain the articles contained in the Holy of Holies of King Solomon’s Temple, including the Ark of the Covenant. A knowledge of which is essential to those who would fully understand the preceding degrees. The principal characters in the degree are Solomon and his royal assistant.

Select Master

The degree of Select Master has not always been associated with that of Royal Master. Jeremy Cross, a traveling Masonic lecturer, author, and educator of the early 1800’s, is given credit by most writers for having combined the two degrees into one rite. There is strong evidence to support the theory that the degree came from a similar degree in the Scottish Rite called Intimate Secretary or Grand Tiler of King Solomon. Regardless of its origin the legend of this degree is old.

The scene of this degree is laid in the underground vault of King Solomon’s Temple. The events which characterize the degree are stirring enough to make it one of intense interest. The ritualistic presentations contain the story to “complete the Circle of Perfection” in Ancient Craft Masonry.

Super Excellent Master

As we have stated, the degree of Super Excellent Master is not a degree of the Crypt. But, it relates events that lead to the recovery of the lost Word. This degree beautifully tells of a period in history in which all Freemasons are interested, that period following the destruction of the first Temple. The essence of the degree is foretold in the presentation by the Principal Sojourner in the Royal Arch Degree when he makes reference “Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign and he reigned for eleven years in Jerusalem, and he did which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God,”etc.

The degree of Super Excellent Master is one of the best devised, most impressive, and beautiful degrees. It is most enlightening and relevant to one’s daily life. In a display of exciting events, Biblical characters come to life exemplifying the historical drama of the Holy Bible. Here Nebuchadnezzar rules again; Zedekiah proves the results of his wicked life; Ezekiel and Jeremiah prophesy the promises of Almighty God.

As the influence of PGL increased outside of London, Lodges came into increasing contact with outlying Masonic practices. Overtime some of these influences were accepted, others were deemed officially irregular. As PGL waned from lack of proper leadership, Brothers deemed irregular began to band together, and in 1751 coalesced, forming a rival Grand Lodge, calling themselves Antient (AGL).

Ancients, in addition to consisting of a wider variety of Masonic influences from Scotland and Ireland, also styled themselves York Masons suggesting that they were, as their name implied, of an Ancient origin specifically the city of York. The City of York has long been of great interest to Freemasonry. The Regius poem and other ancient legends relate that King Athelstan was a great patron of Masonry, and that he constructed many abbeys, monasteries, castles, and fortresses. He studied Geometry and imported learned men in these arts. To preserve order in the work and correct transgressors, the king issued a Charter o the Masons to hold a yearly assembly at York. He is also reputed to have made many Masons. The legends proceed to relate that Athelstan appointed his brother, Edwin, as Grand Master and that the first Grand Lodge was held at York in 926. The accounts state that the constitutions of English Masonry were there established and were based upon a number of old documents written in Greek, Latin and other languages. Aside from the direct implications of this legend, it is interesting to note that the King and Prince were patrons of Masonry and as such were probably speculative, rather than operative members of the craft. The fact that this concept prevailed as early as 1390 A.D., and possibly earlier, makes is easier to account for the fact that so many speculative members of high rank joined the craft in the 17th and 18th centuries.

While no connection can be made between AGL and ancient York Masonry, their assumption of a York title no doubt increased the appeal and standing of AGL in the eyes of the public. As the AGL grew in numbers, power and patronage, they came to hold several charges against PGL:

• Transposed the modes of recognition in the First and Second Degrees. ‘Antients’ regarded this as a complete innovation, an alteration of a landmark, something quite impossible to be countenanced.
• Omitted prayers. The charge is unproved and quite unlikely to be well founded.

De-Christianised the ritual, Anderson’s ” Constitutions” of 1723 being offered as proof. From catechisms preserved to us in various ways, we learn that the ritual had originally (perhaps only in some lodges) a definitely Christian character. It is thought, too, that the early Royal Arch system included the Christian element, one of the reasons, it is alleged, why the ‘Modems’ disliked the Royal Arch. In existence is the alleged fragment of a Craft ritual, apparently of some such date as 1800, which, if genuine, shows the persistence of Christian symbolism in some lodges.

• Ignored and neglected the Saints’ Days-that is, with holding their festivals on days that were not the days of St John. These saints’ days were a veritable shibboleth of the eighteenth-century mason of ‘Antient’ sympathies. The custom of observing these days still persists.
• Omitted in some cases to prepare Candidates in the customary way. It is not known how much truth there was in the accusation, but ‘Antients’ regarded the alleged omission as outrageous.

  Abbreviated the ritual, in particular having neglected the so-called lectures, actually catechisms, attached to each degree. ‘Antients’ regarded the lectures as essential, and their omission as being nothing less than sacrilege.

• Ceased to recite the Ancient Charges at Initiations. The Old Charges had lost much of their point, and probably their omission was justified, but the ‘Antients’ felt that yet another landmark was being thrown over.
• Introduced austerity into the ceremonies, in particular having no place for the sword in the Initiation ceremony, except that the Tyler (and the Inner Tyler, where there was one) wore a sword. The ‘Antients’ wore swords in lodge, but for what purpose it is difficult to see. The French masons developed a very colourful ceremony, in which, if we may trust old French engravings, the Initiate suddenly found himself confronted by many sword-points. This undoubtedly was adopted as sound ‘Antient’ working, and we find it surviving to-day in the old Bristol working and in the Irish working.
• Allowed the esoteric ceremony at the installation of a Master to fall into disuse, although some of their lodges did work such a ceremony at an early date and continued unofficially to do so. The ‘Antients’ insisted upon an esoteric ceremony, and would not allow a Brother who had not passed it to be exalted to the Royal Arch Degree, which degree the ‘Moderns’ would not accept until a late date as any part of freemasonry. The ‘Moderns’ had still less place for the additional degrees, the so-called higher degrees. On the other hand, the ‘Antients had a liking for the additional degrees, and particularly encouraged the Knight Templar and the Rose Croix.
• Departed from the ancient method of arranging the lodge. The Three Great Lights probably had different positions in lodges under the two constitutions; the situations of the Wardens, too, were different. The working was not the same in opening and closing the three degrees.
• Ignored the Deacon. ‘Modern’ lodges generally had no Deacons until about 1809, their work being done by Stewards; where ‘Modern’ lodges had Deacons, it was an indication of the ‘Antient’ influence. The Deacon was well regarded by the ‘Antients’ and the Irish lodges. The latter had Deacons as early as 1727. It must be said that the ‘Moderns’ regarded many of the particular differences in (j) and (k) as being the result of innovation by the ‘Antients.’

In the United States, Masonry reflected England with great antagonism between Ancient and Modern Lodges. Benjamin Franklin as Past Grand Master of a modern bent was denied a Masonic funeral by his mother Lodge which by the time of his death had become Ancient. However like their English brethren who in 1813 merged the competing systems, American Antients and Moderns coalesced forming Ancient Free & Accepted Grand Lodges, and forming a Degree system of the Blue Lodge, with the York Rite forming an appendant Degree system, evening though the Degrees of AF & AM (and F&AM) Grand Lodges are proper York Ritual.

The York Rite as practiced in America contains many vestiges of Antient influence including the Past Master Degree, the Mark Master Degree (the completion of the Blue Lodge Fellow Craft Degree), and of course the Holy Royal Arch which is the true completion of Craft Freemasonry.

• Templar Organization: The Management of Warrior Monasticism
  
• The Rule of the Templars : The French Text of the Rule of the Order of the Knights Templar (Studies in the History of Medieval Religion)
• Born in Blood : The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry
• The Templars : Knights of God
• Unholy Worship? The Myth of the Baphomet, Templar, Freemason connection
• The Warriors and the Bankers: A History of the Knights Templar from 1307 to the present
• The Templar Continuum
• In Search of History: The Knights Templar DVD
• The Unexplained: Sacred Societies DVD

Cryptic Masonry

• Some Deeper Aspects Of Masonic Symbolism

Royal Arch & Blue Lodge

• Revolutionary Brotherhood: Freemasonry and the Transformation of the American Social Order
• Meaning of Masonry