Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests Grand Cross of Saint John

Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests
Grand Cross of Saint John

1993/2015

Compiler's Note: History tells us that when the Knights Grand Cross of The Holy Temple of Jerusalem at Newcastle signed an agreement with the Allied Masonic Degrees in 1895, transferring the superintendence of the Knight Templar Priest and Appendant Degrees to the latter body, they specifically excluded the ceremony of the Knight Grand Cross. Therefore, there would appear to be little doubt that this ceremony is not the one still worked by the Knights Grand Cross. This is further confirmed by the fact that the titles of the Officers listed as the participants in the Grand Cross of the Appendant Degrees, have absolutely no resemblance to those listed in the Statutes of the Knights Grand Cross.
In its original form, the degree was conferred only upon those who had served as Most Enlightened Commander of the Order of Knights of Palestine of the Order of Saint John. The degree was conferred under the presidency of the Senior Knight Grand Cross or, in some versions, a Knight Grand Cross representing the King of Jerusalem. The latter version is replicated here. Additionally, no Past MEC could be invited to the honour of Grand Cross until at least five years had elapsed since he had occupied the Chair in a Sanctuary and no Grand Cross was permitted to confer the Grand Cross until he held that rank for at least nine years.
A meeting of Knights of the Grand Cross was held in a divided chamber, the innermost part being the Supreme Sanctuary and the outer chamber the Sanctuary. The original fitments called for in the ritual would be most expensive to reproduce today, and an exemplification would probably have to include an explanation of what had been omitted rather than attempt to duplicate the original requirements. These were: That in the East is a frame extending wide enough to allow five persons to be seated underneath it is a line. From its frame are cloth curtains of red, green, white, black and yellow forming a backdrop. Some 8 to 10 feet in front of the five seats is a rail on which is suspended another cloth representing a balustrade, on which are paintings of windows and in the centre, hung on suitable posts, are two doors which swing open from the middle. These doors may be decorated with an heraldic device or similar pattern. Within these doors and to the immediate right these should be placed a small table covered with a fall of cloth reaching the floor, of a red colour. On this table should be placed the Book of the Laws (the VSL), a Menorah or Seven Branched candle holder, suspended over this table should be a Blazing Star.
The Officers of the Sanctuary are: The King, four Patriarchs and a Chamberlain. The King and the four Patriarchs are seated in the East within the balustrade which represents the Supreme Sanctuary. The King is seated on a throne in the centre, of his far right is seated the Patriarch of Edessa, on his near right is seated the Patriarch of Jerusalem. On his immediate left is seated the Patriarch of Antioch and on the far left, the Patriarch of Acre. The Chamberlain is placed just within the door of the meeting place. In front of each of the five in the East is a small table. On the King’s is a sceptre, a white candle and a small gong with hammer. On the tables of the Patriarchs are candles of the colours of their domains.
The King wears a black funk on which is patterned a large eight pointed cross of red and white divisions with a square on the right of the cross and a set of compasses on the left. The compasses should be portrayed with the points just touching the upper and lower extremities of the cross.
Over his left shoulder falling to the left hip, he should wear a sash of two colours red and green, and over his left shoulder to the right hip, one of black and yellow. The King should also wear a cloak of purple trimmed with sable. The Patriarchs wear single coloured sashes as follows: P of E – Red, P of J – Green, P of Ant – Black and P of Acre – Yellow.
The Jewel of a Grand Cross is also the eight pointed cross, with each double arm in red, green, black and yellow at top, right, bottom and left. The jewels for all but the King are suspended around the neck on a one inch wide blue collar. The jewel of the King is the same cross but it is suspended by a gold ring from a crown, while the whole is hung on a two inch collar of red, green, white, black and yellow.
The Patriarchs wear plain white tunics, with their respective sashes, and wear the mantles of Hospitaller Knights, they carry batons. The King may wear a crown and the Patriarchs coronet. The Grand Crosses who are only members (sometimes called assistants) sit within the Sanctuary and wear the same without sashes, the jewel and collar, and may wear chapeaux with a blue feather.

Opening

The members (or Assistants) file into the meeting place and take their seats in the Sanctuary, in the North and South only. When all are assembled the Chamberlain calls for silence and bids the Grand Crosses to stand. The Chamberlain raps once on the floor and the King enters without fanfare or salutation and proceeds through the door of the Supreme Sanctuary and takes his seat. He raises the hammer and strikes the gong. On hearing this summons, the P of J enters and lights the green candle on his pedestal, gives the sign of admiration toward the King, then assumes his seat. Thereafter the King strikes once to call the other three Patriarchs in turn, that is Antioch, Acre and Edessa who light their respective coloured candles, sign and sit. When all have done so, the King lights the white candle on his table and then the Patriarchs stand and the King proceeds to light the seven white candles in the menorah. When he has done so, the King resumes his seat but all others remain standing.
KING: Patriarchs, do your duty.
The four Patriarchs pass out of the Supreme Sanctuary and the P of E and the P of J proceed to the West end of the South column while the other two do so in the North column. They then alternately take the Token and Challenge from each one present until they have tested all and they then resume their places. The King stands, then strikes the gong again and without command all, except the King, take the step and kneel on their left knees with the Ordinary Sign of a Grand Cross.
KING: O heavenly Ruler and Great Architect of our Destinies, deign to preside over this Supreme Sanctuary and Sanctuary which meet in Your Name and act according to Your desires. Be pleased to bless our labours and forgive our weaknesses. Strikes gong again once and all rise to their feet. Patriarchs, our precious labours are unrestrained.
May the splendour which invests you, lead you in the path of virtue. Strikes gong and all resume their seats with further command.

Reception

The King strikes the gong and unbidden the Chamberlain arises and enters with the Candidate, dressed in a plain white mantle and tunic wearing the jewel of a Past MEC. He is conducted to the centre of the Sanctuary and the following interrogation takes place.
CHAM: Are you a Master Mason? Cand. assents. Then prove yourself to be so.
Are you entitled to wear the Red Apron? Cand. assents. You will prove this also.
The Cand. then assents and proves himself as follows:
Within the Grades of Knighthood, are you a Knight of the Order of the Cross?
Have you Entered the Temple?
Have you been Perfected as a Black Cross Knight?
Have you been Enrolled as a Knight of Bethany?
Have you seen the Light of the White Cross?
Have you been Admitted as a Knight of Death.
Have you been Created a Knight Rosae Crucis and of St. Andrew?
Do you bear the Christian Mark?
Have you been Enlightened in the North and South?
Are you a Redeemed Knight?
Have you Protected the Holy Grave?
Have you Crusaded under the Triple Cross.
Have you Been Constituted a Knight of Palestine owning to St. John?
Have you commanded those Knights of Palestine? Cand. assents.
In what year?
In the Year of the Lord ... and of the Order .... This must be at least five full years prior to the date of the Candidate’s reception. If this is so, the Chamberlain advises the Cand. to hold fast while he reports.
CHAM approaches the doors of the Supreme Sanctuary and raps once upon them.
KING: Who approaches?
CHAM: The Chamberlain to the King of Jerusalem.
KING: For what purpose do wish to enter?
CHAM: To deliver a Report.
KING: Then enter. Chamberlain enters through the doors, gives the sign of Admiration and stands before the King.
CHAM: Lord King, within the Sanctuary, among a gathering of your Grand Crosses, stands a Knight of Palestine of the Order of St. John who desires to be considered as a Candidate for the Honour of Grand Cross.
KING: Is he qualified to receive such an Honour.
CHAM: Truly and duly qualified for he has given the requisite proofs of Masonry and Knighthood.
KING: That may be so, but since the Honour of the Grand Cross may only be given to a Commander of his Order, does he still deserve to stand among my Grand Crosses?
CHAM: Even so Lord King, his service as a Commander is a matter of record and proof.
KING: Toen you will advise this Knight to hold fast while I confer with the Patriarchs.
The Chamberlain returns to the Cand. and stands by him. The Patriarchs then rise and pass into the Sanctuary around the edges of the balustrade and take up temporary seats as follows: The P of J in the mid East, the P of Ant. In the mid West, the P of Acre in the mid South and the P of E in the mid North. When this has been accomplished, it is seen that the King is working on some letters at his pedestal. After a minute he calls for a messenger, one of the members who has been before appointed as the messenger arises and enters the Supreme Sanctuary, gives the Admir. Sign and waits upon the King.
KING: Take these letters and depart with all speed to the four Patriarchs. The messenger takes the letters, signs again and retires from the Supreme Sanctuary. On re-entering the Sanctuary he proceeds to the North, West, South and East, delivering a letter to each P. When they have read the letters, the Ps rise from their temporary seats, which are then removed, and gather together in line, Jerusalem, Antioch, Acre and Edessa and request entry on the rap of the P of J. The King bids them welcome, they give the Admir. Sign and resume their places as before. The Chamberlain now steps two paces in front of the Cand. and turns to face him.
CHAM: Let me now make you aware of the History of the Honour known as the Knight Grand Cross. When the Hospitaller Order was founded in the Holy Land, it took part not only in the defence of that land but many members of the Order also assisted in the government of the domains of the King of Jerusalem. The Order of St. John held sway in the four provinces of Jerusalem, Antioch, Edessa and Acre and in each, there was a garrison of Knights of the Order assisted by their serjeants and men-at-arms and in each place they established a Hospital to aid and succour the sick and weak and provide a respite from arduous travels for the vast number of Pilgrims who visited the Holy Places. The Order of St. John, and its many sub Orders swore fealty to the King of Jerusalem and successive monarchs leaned ever more heavily on the council of the leaders of the Order.
So much so that by the year 1180, the government and administration of these four provinces was entrusted to Knights of the Order. Since the title Patriarch was used by the Church to designate the spiritual leader in any given territory, so the Kings of Jerusalem conferred that title upon the secular heads of government also. One King, Baldwin IV. after long consultation with the Grand Master of the Hospitallers, decreed that any Patriarch should only be selected from the Knights Grand Cross as they had proved their worth, both in battle and in their administrative offices within the Orders.
Thereafter, it was further agreed that the King would have the sole prerogative of granting the Honour of the Grand Cross. provided that he at all times. bad the unanimous consent of the four Patriarchs.
No Knight could be recommended for the Honour unless he had proved himself worthy by taking command of men on the field of battle and by supervising the working of a Hospital and even then, he might only be considered after so doing for a period of no less than five years.
In the event that such a qualified Knight was so recommended by his Grand Master, the King would send a dispatch to all four Patriarchs, calling them to his palace in Jerusalem, for the sole purpose of determining the suitability of the Candidate. When the four arrived at the palace, they withdrew into a Supreme Sanctuary to consider their decision, while the other Knights Grand Cross, remained in an Outer Sanctuary, awaiting the outcome of their deliberations.
Thereafter, if the Candidate was proved acceptable, before he was granted the Honour he was caused to travel to all four of the provinces to receive the acclamation of those in the garrison The first act of the summoning of the Patriarchs you have already witnessed.
KING: Brother Knight Commander, we have reviewed your application and find you qualified in all aspects. Journey now and receive the acclamation and return to us.
The white mantle is removed and replaced with the Malta cloak. The Grand Cross present divide themselves into four equal assemblies and one assemblage gathers at each of the NW, SW, NE and SE points of the Sanctuary. When this is done the Chamberlain conducts the Cand. once around the hall and then stops before the assemblage at the SE point.
CHAM: Knights Grand Cross of the Domain of Jerusalem, do you accept the Knight Commander … as your equal?
All in the SE cry Aye with one voice. The Chamberlain and the Cand. proceed to the SW point and halt.
CHAM: Knights Grand Cross of the Domain of Antioch, (... same as before and at the NW and NE points the question is asked of Edesa and Acre also with same responses. The Chamberlain then leads the Cand. to the doors of the Supreme Sanctuary and instructs him to rap once.)
KING: Who comes?
CHAM: The Chamberlain of the King and Knight Commander ….
KING: From whence have you come?
CHAM: From the Marches of the four Provinces, O King.
KING: What is your report?
CHAM: It is with pleasure that I report that this Knight was received by acclamation in Jerusalem and Antioch, and also in Edessa and Acre.
KING: Then conduct him to the Chantry.
The Chamberlain takes the Cand. through the doors and causes him to kneel at the red covered table. The King arises, and accompanied by the four Patriarchs, goes to the table. The Patriarchs extend their arms and cause their batons to form two crosses over the table after which the King says:
KING: Do you promise ever to hold what you have seen and heard this day in silence and secrecy under a penalty of having your name erased from the Roll of Knights Grand Cross the Cand. Assents and the Patriarchs raise their batons then do I now and forever Honour you as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saint John. King traces the shape of an X on the forehead of the Cand. Rise and be furthered Honoured by your equals. The King leads the new Grand Cross by the right hand, and passes out through the door into the centre of the Sanctuary and proclaims: Knights Grand Cross of the Four Provinces, I now present to you, …, a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saint John.
ALL, with one voice: Welcome Brother, Join our ranks.
The King leads the new Grand Cross to a vacant station in the N or S and all resume their seats.
KING: Knights Grand Cross, while an Instruction will now be demonstrated for our new Grand Cross, I charge you all to heed its message and meaning.
King strikes gong once and the Ps of J and Ant. Arise, no sign is given, walk to the centre of the Sanctuary and face each other at a distance of some six feet. J. in the East and Ant. In the West.
P. of J: When did you begin your labours?
P. of Ant.: In the third year.
P. of J: Who was your first Master?
P. of Ant.: TUBALCAJN. who to be admitted undertook a search in which he succeeded. He made the first decorations for the Temple.
P. of J: Had he not a chief, and what was his name?
P. of Ant.: JACHIN of a Tribe allied to the Hebrews
P. of J: Have you worked under any other Masters?
P. of Ant.: Under many Masters have I learned different kinds of work.
P. of J: When did you change your Master?
P. of Ant.: In the fifth year of the reign of the Sage.
P. of J: Who then became your Master?
P. of Ant.: SHIBBOLETH, an old Sidonian and Conductor of the daily work.
P. of J: Had he not also a chief?
P. of Ant.: Yes BOAZ, chief of the Tribe and Conductor of the remote work.
P. of J: When did you come to know the first chief?
P. of Ant.: In the seventh year on the day dedicated to Great and Holy Prayer.
P. of J: Does anything memorable connect itself with that day?
P. of Ant.: GIBLIM, an unfortunate dissatisfied with his pay.
P. of J: How many chiefs had this division?
P. of Ant.: Two. MAK and BENAK, two Brothers Palatine.
P. of J: Do you remember the bloody day?
P. of Ant.: It is too memorable ever to be forgotten.
P. of J: Who made it known to you?
P. of Ant.: MAHABON, but he also made known to me that which is above all.
P. of J: Do you know NEKUM and EL SCHADDAI?
P. of Ant.: I know something else, MAHABON, BEZAREEL and TENOBEK.
P. of J: Do you know anything else?
P. of Ant.: GABOAN, JEHOVAH and MOABON.
P. of J: Who were the greatest chiefs?
P. of Ant.: The RABBONIM.
P. of J: And who was their chief?
P. of Ant.: ADONHIRAM.
P. of J: What is now your age?
P. of Ant.: Past 81 years since the last celebration.
P. of J: Have JEHOVAH, ADONAI and ABISHAI decorated you?
P. of Ant.: I have a certificate bearing seven names. Four I must ever conceal but the three in chief I shall name to you.
P. of J: What are they?
P. of Ant.: JEHOVAH, SCHADDAI and ADONAI.
P. of J: Have you seen the sacred Sanctuary, with the chiefs adoring it?
P. of Ant.: I have seen more, for the Holy of Holies was, as it were, open.
P. of J: Who was the chief of the Sanctuary?
P. of Ant.: GOD, the Father of the Hebrews.
P. of J: Had he not another name?
P. of Ant.: INRI, but he did not assume this title until he had undergone calamities.
P. of J: Had he not a third name?
P. of Ant.: He had that of AWINCK.
P. of J: What is the sign of a Grand Cross?
P. of Ant.: The Ordinary Sign, that of recognition is given by raising the index finger of the left hand thus, it is also given during prayer. The sign within the Sanctuary is that of Admiration, where both hands are clasped together with the fingers entwined, thus. This sign is used when approaching the King.
P. of J: What is the Step of a Grand Cross?
P. of Ant.: That is taken when a prayer is offered up. We should take one step with the right foot and then kneel on the left knee. Demonstrates.
P. of J: What is the Sacred Word?
P. of Ant.: JEHOVAH - GABOAN – ADONAI.
P. of J: What is the Pass Word?
P. of Ant.: MAK BENAK.
P. of J: Explain the token of a Grand Cross.
P. of Ant.: The first offers his right hand with the forefinger extended, the second extends his left hand with the forefinger extended and lays it over that finger of the other thus forming a cross. When the cross is formed, the first says HIBUK, the second says I RECOLLECT. Both Ps now step toward each other and demonstrate the Token and challenge.
P. of J: What is the jewel of a Grand Cross?
P. of Ant.: A Cross of four colours, representing the four Provinces and hung from a blue ribbon with the exception of our Master the King, whose collar is of the four colours also, but with the addition of a central portion of white which represents the Judgment of the King and the Power of his Throne. Both Ps now resume their seats, in the East.
KING: Let us pray. All, except the King, take the STEP and kneel, with the Ordinary Sign. O Glorious and Powerful Architect, we request that Thy Blessing fall upon all those gathered here in your name and that Thy Love and Devotion will protect each one. AMEN.
Patriarchs, let us now close this Supreme Sanctuary.
Strikes the gong once. The Patriarch extinguish their candles and depart in the opposite form to the Opening. When the Patriarchs have departed, the King extinguishes his candle, and strikes the gong once more, then says: This Supreme Sanctuary is closed. He then rises, goes to the table and extinguishes the candles on the menorah before taking his leave. After the King has made his exit, the members stand without command and the Chamberlain announces:
CHAM: This Sanctuary is now closed. All present take their leave.

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