Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests The Degree of Knight of the Rosae Crucis also known as the Knight of Saint Andrew

Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests
The Degree of Knight of the Rosae Crucis
also known as the Knight of Saint Andrew

1998/2015

Compiler's Notes: In order to exemplify this degree, it is necessary that some way, by use of veils or curtains, or ropes and stands, is found to create three apartments with the Chapter.
The First Apartment represents Calvary and should be hung with black, three white columns with the words FAITH, HOPE and CHARITY must be provided, the words may be painted on the columns or, thereby allowing the columns to be used in other ceremonies, fitted with small boards hearing the words.
The Second Apartment represents Ascension, and requires no furnishings other than hangings of white on which is placed a picture or representation of the Ascension of the Lord, placed above another showing of an irradiated golden triangle.
The Third Apartment represents the grave, Hades, the place of departed sprits and is hung with red.
The Officers are the Most Wise and Perfect Sovereign, Eminent & Perfect SW and JW, a Perfect and Reverend Prelate, and Perfect Knights Master of Ceremonies, Chamberlain, Guardian (IG) and Custodian (OG).
The regalia of the degree is a white cap upon which is the representation of a red rose on a gold passion cross, with the addition that cap of the MW&PS carries a one inch red ribbon, those of the S&JW a half inch red ribbon and that of the E&R Prelate a half inch green ribbon. All except the Prelate should wear swords in red sheaths where possible.
The Altar should be covered in a red cloth on which is applied a white cloth in the shape of an equilateral triangle. At the apex of the triangle should be placed a small crucifix and at the base a red rose. In a mid point should be the Holy Bible opened at the First Epistle of John Ch. II.

Opening

MWPS: Eminent & Perfect Wardens, Perfect Knights of the Rosae Crucis and Saint Andrew, assist me to open this Chapter. Gives * and all rise.
EPSW: Perfect Knights, you hear that it is the will of the MW&PS, as it is mine that you assist in opening this Chapter.
EPJW: Perfect Knights, you hear that it is the will of the MW&PS, as it is of the E&PSW, and it is also mine, that you assist in opening this Chapter.
MWPS: *** *** ***.
EPSW: *** *** ***.
EPJW: *** *** ***.
MWPS: Eminent and Perfect Knight J.W., what are our chief cares?
EPJW: To ascertain that the Chapter is well covered and that all present are true Knights of the Order.
MWPS: Eminent and Perfect Knight J.W., you will determine the first of these and you, Eminent & Perfect Knight S.W., will attend to the second.
EPJW: Perfect Knight Guardian, is the Perfect Knight Custodian at his post? The Guardian approaches the door, draws his sword and raps once with the pommel which is answered by the Custodian. The Guardian turs, salutes the JW with the sword, reports and sheaths the blade.
PKGn.: Eminent & Perfect JW, the Perfect Knight Custodian is at his post and the Chapter is well covered.
EPJW: What are his duties?
PKGn.: To prevent the profane from entering, to ensure that that those who present themselves are well versed in the Doctrine of Brotherly Care and to afford Knightly consideration to those who desire to join our ranks.
EPJW: Most Wise & Perfect Sovereign, the Chapter is well covered and the Perfect Knight
Custodian is well instructed.
When this has been completed, the SW leaves his station and takes from all present except the MWPS, the Pass Word. When he has received it from all, he approaches the MWPS, whispers the Word to him and returns to his station.
MWPS: The Word is unsullied and reaches me in all its purity. Perfect Knights to order. All give the sign and after a few moments drop the same.
MWPS: Eminent & Perfect Knight SW, what is the hour.
EPSW: It is the instant when the Veil of the Temple was rent in twain; when darkness and consternation covered the earth; when the stars disappeared and the lamp of day was darkened; when the implements of Masonry were lost and the cubic stone sweated blood and water. It is therefore the instant when the Word was lost.
MWPS: Since Masonry has sustained so great a loss, let us endeavour, by new works, to recover the lost Word and to assist us in this great task, we shall open this Chapter of the Rosae Crucis.
EPSW: Perfect Knights, the Chapter is now open. let us do our duty!
EPJW: Perfect Knights, the Chapter is now open, let us do our duty! All now draw their swords, bring them to the present and exclaim:
ALL: Let us do our duty.
MWPS: In the name of Emmanuel, I deciare this Chapter of the Rosae Cross and Knights of St. Andrew, duly open.
Gives *** *** *** as do the SW; .JW; Gdn. and Cust. after which all resume their seats.
MWPS: Eminent & Perfect Knight SW, what is the purpose of our present gathering?
EPSW: The perfection of a Knight of Death, who now awaits your pleasure, and that of the Chapter, that he might be received as a Knight of this Order.
MWPS: Who vouches for the worth of the Applicant.
The Proposer and Seconder stand, draw their swords in turn, salute, report and sheath their swords again.
Prop.: Most Wise and Perfect Sovereign, I vouch for the Applicant for it is known to me that he is a good man, a worthy Mason and a Knight of Death.
Secd.: Most Wise and Perfect Sovereign, I do also vouch for the Applicant for I know him to be proficient in the former degrees of MM and the RA.
MWPS: Perfect Knights, you have heard that the Applicant has been thus vouched for, what is your will.
The Knights show approval by raising the right hand and all must do so or the Applicant must be denied admission.
MWPS: Perfect Knight Master of Ceremonies, you will retire and introduce the Applicant.
MoC rises, signs and retires. He ensures that the Applicant is properly prepared and wears the cap of a Knight of Death. The MoC then addresses the applicant thus:
MoC: Sir Knight, all the Temples are destroyed, our tools are broken, as are the columns, the Sacred Word is lost and the world order is in confusion. Will you assist us in recovering the new Word?
App.: I will.
MoC: Then follow me. They proceed to the door where the MoC gives *** *** ***.
PKGn.: Eminent and Perfect SW, there is a report at the door.
EPSW: Perfect Knight Guardian, draw your sword and I will stand with you to determine who stands without.
Gdn. draws his sword and comes to the carry. SW leaves his station and goes to the right side of the Gdn., where he also draws his sword and comes to the carry. Gdn. opens the door, and SW says:
EPSW: Who comes here? Who are you? What is your want?
MoC: A Knight of Death who hopes, by assisting to find the new Word, to be received as a Perfect Knight of the Rosae Crucis and Saint Andrew.
EPSW: Stay, remain there until I report to the MW&PS. The same is reported as before. If curtains are used to separate the apartments, these are now drawn and the MWPS moves into the First Apartment and sits on the East side of the altar. All others, except the SW and Gdn., then kneel on both knees, their faces shaded by their left hands, the right hand being placed on the right side of the neck, the thumb at the front.
MWPS: Let the Applicant be admitted. The App. is lead in by the MoC, as soon as he is across the doorway, the SW and the Gdn. place the points of their swords against his heart.
PKGn.: Hold, Sir Knight, do now agree that what you may see, hear and understand within this Chapter, will forever be kept from the outer world. App. assents. Then pass on to the MW&PS. The MoC takes the App. to the West Side of the altar, on his arrival, all others resume their seats.
MWPS: Brother Knight, perplexity has come upon our work, and it is no longer within our power to continue with it. Grief and consternation prevail among us, and confusion reigns on Earth, the Veil of the Temple is rent, the light obscured and darkness spreads its shadow over all the world; the Flaming Star bas disappeared, the Cubic Stone sweats blood and water and the Sacred Word is lost. Nevertheless, it is our intention to recover it, are you disposed to follow and assist us?
App., prompted if required: I am.
MWPS: Eminent and Perfect Wardens, it is necessary that this worthy Knight should travel thirty three years, the years that the Heavenly Word travelled upon this Earth, to team the beauties of the New Law.
The Wardens rise and take up position, the SW on the right of the App., the JW on his left. The MoC does not accompany them but stays by the altar to place and remove the kneeling cushion. The three pass around the First Apartment and as they pass the line of pillars, at the first and third time, the SW announces FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY, at the second perambulation the JW does so. At each passing of the altar, the App. is caused to kneel and make a short bow to the MWPS, who nods in return. After the App. has knelt after the third passage, he remains kneeling, and the MoC removes his cap of a Knight of Death and lays it aside.
MWPS: Sir Knight, what have you learned on your journey?
App., prompted by the SW.: I have learned of the three virtues, by which to conduct myself in the future, - Faith, Hope and Charity. Inform me Perfect Sir, if there be any others.
MWPS: No my Brother, these are the principles and pillars of our new mystery. Before we can proceed further you must however, take an Obligation and I would ask you to place both hands on the Holy Scriptures and thereafter repeat as I dictate. All stand.
I, … (first name), do solemnly vow and promise, under the penalties of all my former obligations, ever to conceal and never to reveal, directly or indirectly, by any method of speech, writing, cipher, signal or indication, any of the Secrets of a Knight of the Rosae Crucis, also known as Knight of Saint Andrew, to any one not entitled to the same. Further, never will I confer, or assist in conferring, the degree upon any one except in such a manner and under the ritual, as are authorised by this Chapter, and others beholden of the Order, which I hold to be the lawfully governing bodies of this ceremony. So help me God. App. is then requested to seal by three times three.
Brother Knight, you will now rise and pass into the care of the Perfect Knight Master of Ceremonies, who will escort you to the West where you will assist us in our further search for the New Word.
All resume their seats.
MWPS: *** *** ***.
EPSW: *** *** ***.
EPJW: *** *** ***.
MWPS: Eminent & Perfect Senior Warden, what is the cause of this assembly?
EPSW: The search for the New Word which, with your assistance, we hope to discover
MWPS: Eminent & Perfect Junior Warden, what must we do to find the Word?
EPJW: Be firmly convinced of the three virtues which are the foundations of our columns and the strength of our principles.
MWPS: Eminent & Perfect SW, what are these virtues?
EPSW: Faith, Hope and Charity.
MWPS: Eminent & Perfect JW, how shall we find them?
EPJW: By travelling for seven days in the most profound obscurity.
MWPS: Let us travel Perfect Knights, from East to the North and from the West to the South.
All rise and as the MWPS and the Ws pass, the others follow on. As each circuit passes the altar the Knights lower their heads in a short bow. After three circuits the MWPS passes into the Second Apartment, at the fifth, the Ws pass in, on the sixth the remaining members, leaving only the MoC and the App. who make a seventh round and halt at the entrance to the Second Apartment. At this time, the MoC should pass the written primer to the App.)
MoC: Brother Knight, you cannot enter here unless you can give the Word.
App., reading from primer: I cannot for I am in search of the Word by the assistance of the New Law and the three Columns of Masonry.
MoC: Very well. Give three and nine. App. gives *** *********.
EPSW from within: Who comes here?
MoC: A Master passed the Chair, a Royal Arch Mason being also a Knight Templar and a Knight of Death.
EPSW comes through the curtain or partition: Listen my Brother, the Word will not be found by those that boast of worldly distinctions and qualifications, for only those wbo have suffered indignity and humiliation in a good cause, and have walked in the Valley of Shadows, can hope to gain that honour.
E&PSW doses curtain or door, as if in disdain of the App.
MoC: As a child of humility, shorn of earthly honours and distinctions, will I now conduct you into that dark and dismal place, from whence the Word shall triumphantly come, to the Glory and Advantage of Masonry. Place your confidence in me. A cloak or mantle, preferably of sack cloth, is placed over the shoulders of the App., symbolically to show that he is bereft of all finery and worldly possessions. The MoC then takes him info the Third Apartment.
This may be but a small area, hung with red and illuminated only with red, dim lighting. If available, there may be a picture or illustration of some hellish scene.
MoC: You are now emblematically in the Great Beyond, Hades, the grave, the devourer of souls and yet the Great Purifier, where the Word in mercy went, when temporarily loosened from the thraldom of the flesh, bearing the glad tidings so long awaited by those who had been aforetime disobedient in the days of our Father Noah and from thence emerging in renewed effulgence. Stand a for a while and contemplate your destiny. After allowing the App. a few moments, the MoC leads him out of the Third Apartment and again conducts him to the entrance to the Second Apartment, where the App. is instructed to give *** *********.
EPJW: MW&PS, there is an alarm.
MWPS: See who comes.
EPJW goes to the entrance and enquires: Who comes there?
MoC: One, who having left all honours and distinctions behind, and bravely passed through the Valley of the Shadows, now hopes in recompense, to procure the New Word.
The JW bids them to wait while he reports.
EPJW: MW&PS, At the entrance is one, who etc etc.
MWPS: Bid him enter in the West.
The JW allows the MoC and App. to enter and then resumes his place.
MWPS: Traveller, from whence come you?
MoC: From Judea
MWPS: By what road did you travel?
MoC: By way of Nazareth
MWPS: Who conducted you?
MoC: Raphael
MWPS: Of what tribe are you?
MoC: Of the tribe of Judah
MWPS: Repeat your answers.
MoC: Judea; Nazareth; Raphael and Judah
MWPS: Taking the initials of these words in the Latin style, what do they form.
MoC: INRI.
MWPS: Perfect Knights, the Word is recovered.
MWPS: Knight A, your travels along difficult and dangerous paths have brought you to the Light of the Word, INRI, and as such, I now welcome you into this Order.
ALL, clap hands three and nine: Hosanna in the highest, on earth peace, goodwill to all men.
MWPS: I will now communicate to you the Secrets of this Grade of Knighthood. The word, which you have discovered is INRI, the Grand Sign is that of the Good Shepherd whereby you extend you your arms outwards and cross your legs right over left, emblematical of the manner in which our Lord was crucified.
The Sign of Aid and Assistance is given by extending the right arm outwards with the hand held vertically. The answer to this is given by the Sign of Response in which the other Knight places both his hands on either side of yours, thus. The first part of the Sign of Aid and Assistance is also used as the Working Sign and the complete sign is further used in conjunction with the Pass Word. The token is given by interlocking the fingers of the hands, right to right and left to left, the right being uppermost, thus forming a Cross of Saint Andrew, who is the Patron of this Order of Knighthood. The Pass Word, which may be demanded of you should you be unknown to the Knights is Emmanuel and the Sacred Word is Calvary. You will now pass among the Knights present and make yourself known to them by giving the Sign of Aid and Assistance and then whispering to each, the Pass Word.
App. does so to each Knight present.
MWPS: Knights all, do you recognise Knight …?
ALL: We do.
MWPS: Then advance to me and kneel on both knees.
MoC places cushion or kneeling stool in front of the MW&PS, the App. then kneels as instructed. When he has done so, four of the Knights present then advance and lay their right hand upon the App's shoulders. The MW&PS is handed a sword by the MoC and the MoC calls on the Knights to stand, draw swords and come to the present.
MWPS: In the Name of the New Word, the power of this blade which is dedicated to the defence of the Christian Faith and by the Authority in me reposed, and spiritually and physically supported by Knights of the Order, I now create you a Knight of the Rosae Crucis and of Saint Andrew.
Dubs once on the head with the fiat of the blade.
MoC: Perfect Knights, lift your blades and let your swords be sheathed. The four Kts. Retire.
MWPS: Rise now, and receive this cap, the outer badge of a Knight of this Order, but ever remember that the three virtues Faith, Hope and Charity must be the inner badge of a Christian Knight. The Perfect Knight Master of Ceremonies will now seat you in this company of your equals. MoC does so and returns to his seat.
MWPS: Let us now return to our usual quarters. The MW&PS rises and leads the Knights, in order of seniority, back to the First Apartment.
MWPS: Perfect Knights, have we done our duty?
ALL: We have.
MWPS: Are there any other matters to be brought before the Chapter? Pause. There being none I now call upon you to rise and assist me to close the Chapter. Eminent and Perfect Senior Warden, it is now my will and pleasure to see this Chapter closed. Has the New Word been found and proclaimed?
EPSW: Happily so, Most Wise and Perfect Sovereign.
MWPS: Then, Eminent and Perfect Junior Warden, what is our final care?
EPJW: To ensure, that our Chapter remains, as it was begun, well covered.
MWPS: You will ensure that this is so.
EPJW: Perfect Knight Guardian, does the Perfect Knight Custodian remain at his post?
PKGdn. opens the door and reports: All remains well and the Chapter is covered.
EPJW: Most Wise and Perfect Sovereign. The Chapter remains welt covered.
MWPS: Then let the Perfect Knight Custodian enter and receive from me the New Word. PKGdn. opens the door and the PKCust. enters withdrawn sword and approaches the MW&PS, he gives a salute and returns to the carry.
MWPS: Perfect Knight Custodian, before closing this Chapter let me place in your care the New Word, that it may be retained until the next meeting of the Chapter.
The PKCust., approaches the MW&PS, bends down and the Word is whispered to him. He returns to his former position, salutes and retires.
MWPS: Eminent and Perfect Senior Warden. You will close the Chapter. *** *** ***.
EPSW: Perfect Knights of the Rosae Crucis & Saint Andrew, it being the will and pleasure of the MW&PS that the Chapter be closed, I hereby declare it so. *** *** ***.
EPJW: *** *** ***.
PKGn.: *** *** ***.
PKCust.: *** *** ***.

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