Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests Order of Holy Wisdom

Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests
Order of Holy Wisdom

This is the original ritual. This ritual is not to be worked in or demonstrated.

Arrangements tor the Order of Holy Wisdom

Bodies of the Order meet as CONGREGATIONS and by tradition, meetings were held only once per year, at 11 minutes past eleven of the clock on Good Friday.
The Officers of a Holy Congregation of the Order consisted of the following: The GRAND PRELATE, the presiding officer, The GRAND PRIEST, The GRAND DEACON AND GRAND SUB-DEACON, The GRAND EVANGELIST, The GRAND READER, The GRAND EXORCIST, The GRAND KEEPER OF THE BAG, The GRAND HERMENEUTES, The GRAND ACOL YTE, The GRAND BROTHER and The GRAND
DOORKEEPER.
The paraphernalia required for a meeting of the Order is both elaborate and all encompassing! In the First Chamber, which is made to represent a church, hangings of black velvet are employed. In the East should be an apsidal or elliptical shaped chancel around which should be placed six golden pillars.
A Grand Altar should be positioned at the top of seven steps and upon the Grand Altar, a smaller super altar should be placed. A seventh golden pillar is placed immediately behind the Grand Altar. The Grand and super Altars should be of a gold finish. On the super altar should be placed seven golden candlesticks with white candles and on the Grand Altar, a small golden chest, held to contain the Holy Relics. Also upon the Grand Altar should be placed a gold platen on which pieces of unleavened bread are placed and a golden goblet filled with best red wine. On a smaller table convenient to the Altar should be placed a stone vase of the finest olive oil. A white screen of fine linen should be hung, separating the sanctum sanctorum from the rest of the church. Immediately outside this screen, on the right hand side, should be placed an ambo (lectern or reading desk) made of cedar wood.
Within the chancel should be a throne for the Grand Prelate and a stall for the Grand Priest. The Grand Deacon and the Grand Sub-Deacon should be seated upon the sedilia (special seating). The Grand Evangelist should be seated in the chancel on the right hand side of the Grand Prelate but in a place which is one step lower than the Grand Prelate. The Grand Exorcist shall stand within the door while the Grand Door Keeper shall remain without and permit none to enter save those entitled to do so. The Grand Keeper of the Bag and the Grand Hermeneutes shall be seated in the North behind a bench, the Grand Reader in the South, the Grand Brother in the lower North side and the Grand Acolyte in the lower South side. Knight Priests of the Order shall be seated in the nave of the church.
At the door shall be a laver of fresh water under the supervision of the Grand Door Keeper and held in safe keeping of the Grand Exorcist shall be a golden pan containing ashes. Immediately within the door, there should be a Board upon which there is a presentation of the Sacred Triangle with the Mystic Letters (The Greek letters Chi Rho). And behind the Grand Prelate should be a banner proclaiming "THE LORD IS OUR JUDGE, THE LORD IS OUR LAWGIVER, THE LORD IS OUR KING AND HE WILL SAVE US".
On the ambo should be placed a volume of the Sacred Scriptures of the New Testament and on a lectern shall be a copy of the Scriptures of the Old Testament. These shall be under the charge of the Grand Reader.
Traditionally there should be three entrances to the Church, but in circumstances which often prevail, only a door in the west is necessary while the other two, those in the South East and the South West may be by representation. In any Congregation of the Order, there shall be five Sacred Symbols - the Laver, the Chism (the Holy Oil), and the Elements, the Volume of the Sacred Scriptures and the Image of the Invisible Presence.
A pedalavium (or foot bath) should be available at some convenient place. The Second Chamber shall represent a funeral hall in which lies the corpse of a pagan after preparation for burial. This room shall be exceedingly gloomy, mostly dark with only a faint light sufficient to make that which is in darkness visible. In the centre of the room shall be a bier upon which lies a pillow. By the bier shall stand several painted vessels known in Greek as Lekuthi and also a honey cake on a stand. Outside the door of the Second Chamber shall stand a second laver for the purposes of purification. A representation of a tomb shall be in one corner of this chamber with some means of producing a noise like that of a tomb being closed and a bellows or fan with which cold air may be passed into the tomb.

The Clothing of the Order of Holy Wisdom

Knight Priests of the Order shall wear the apron of the Order and the Cloak of a Knight Priest. The farmer is of black velvet of the usual Masonic dimensions, trimmed with a gold tape two inches wide, the flap is cut squared and bordered with one inch gold braid. On the body of the apron, to the eye of the beholder, are the Sacred Letters, (Chi Rho) the farmer on the left, the latter on the right, both in scarlet. The cloak of scarlet, is of full length with a gathered collar and a cross of white on the left breast. The jewel of the Order is a gold equilateral triangle on which are embossed the Sacred Letters. The jewel should be suspended from a black ribbon and for Knight Priests is worn on the cloak just below the Cross. Officers should wear the same jewel suspended from a two inch wide collar of black material. The jewel of the Grand Prelate is the triangle suspended below a mitre.
The Grand Prelate shall wear a cassock of purple over which is worn a white alb, over that a scarlet ecumenical stole and over that a black velvet mantle with the red cross on the left breast. He shall wear a Greek Mitre of white silk, decorated with precious stones or representations thereof. His emblem is a pastoral cross.
The Grand Priest(s) shall wear a black cassock and over it a surplice of white and over all, the cloak of a Knight Priest.
The Grand Deacon shall wear a black cassock, over it a dalmatic of white and a scarlet ecumenical stole. The Grand Sub-Deacon shall wear the same, but without the stole.
The Grand Evangelist shall wear a black cassock and a cloak of black with a white cross upon the left breast.
The Grand exorcist shall wear the same items in dark grey again with a White cross.
The Grand Reader shall wear a black cassock and a cloak of green with a white cross.
The Grand Acolyte shall wear a scarlet cassock over which shall be worn a short surplice of white.
The Grand Keeper of the Bag, Grand Hermaneutes, the Grand Brother and the Grand Keeper of the Door wear the dress of a Knight Priest.
In the Second Chamber, all must wear hooded robes of black.

The Formation of a Congregation of Knight Priests of the Order of Holy Wisdom

All Knight Priests are brought to stand by the Grand Brother. All officers except the Grand Keeper of the Door then enter in ascending order of rank and proceed around the Church to stand before their stations. The Grand Prelate enters last, immediately preceded by the Grand Acolyte carrying a pastoral cross. The Grand Prelate stands before his throne, the Grand Acolyte deposits the cross in its stand and assumes his station.
The Grand Prelate assumes the throne while all others remain standing.
GP: Knight Priests of the Order of Holy Wisdom, assist me, by your best endeavours, to form this Congregation of the Order. Grand Exorcist, what is the primary duty to be observed?
GEx: Grand Prelate, to assure ourselves that none but High Priests of the Order form this Congregation.
GP: How is such determined?
GEx: By the giving of a Sacred Word which must be imparted to the Grand Keeper of the Door before entry into the Church is permitted.
GP: Since those assembled here, therefore, must have communicated this Word, how do we assure ourselves further?
GEx: By calling upon all present to exhibit the Sign which marks them as Knight Priests.
GP: Knight Priests - The Sign. All give the Sign of the Order which is returned by the GP.
GP: I am satisfied that all present can remain and assist me in the formation of our Congregation. Grand Evangelist, what are the five Sacred Symbols of this Order?
GEv: Grand Prelate, the first is the Laver which stands within the Western Door and in which the Knight Priests purify their hands, and by that act, also their spirits. The second is the chism, that sacred oil which is blessed and which is used for the ceremony of anointing. The third is represented by the elements air, water, fire and earth which the Ancients held to be constituent parts of the Earth. The fourth is the Volume of the Sacred Scriptures which bring to mankind the life, miracles and revelations of Christ, the manner of His death and also of the Resurrection, these latter two being the reason for our assembly in a Congregation this day, which is Good Friday. The fifth and last symbol of our Order is the Unseen Divine Spirit of Jesus Christ which is known by us as the Image of the Invisible Presence and is represented by the edifice in which we stand.
GP: Grand Deacon, what other devices are held sacred to Knight Priests of this Order?
GD: Grand Prelate, the golden artefacts and the Seven Golden Pillars.
GP: What do they represent?
GD: The Lord in all His Glory.
GP: Grand Sub Deacon, are there other emblems which we should revere?
GSD: There are, Grand Prelate. The seven candles, the bread and
Wine and the pan of ashes.
GP: What is the revelation in these?
GSD: The candles represent the light of the Word, the bread and wine remind us of the Last Supper, communion with our Lord and the gift of God, while the ashes readily remind us on man's short transition in this life and his ultimate destiny.
GP: Grand Priest, before we proceed further, I call upon you to bring a blessing upon this Congregation, gathered here in the Name and Presence of our Lord.
All face the East and assume the posture of prayer.
GPt: O Heavenly Father, who has given for our salvation, the life of Thine only Son, Jesu Christos, may Thine abundant blessing fall upon all those gathered here, may Thy wisdom and sagacity prevail in all our actions and deeds, and may we prevail over those who would defile Thy name. May the light of Thine inspiration assist us in our undertakings and may Thou hear our call for Divine intervention should we prove less than worthy of Thy Holy Name. Amen.
All: Amen and Amen.
GP: Knight Priests, I do now declare this Congregation of Knight Priests of the Order of Holy Wisdom, duly and truly formed and the Brotherhood cemented. Knight Priests, be seated. There being no knocks given in this Order, the Grand Exorcist advises the Grand Keeper of the Door that the Congregation has been formed.
The Grand Prelate then enquires of the Grand Hermeneutes and Grand Keeper of the Bag if there be any business to be transacted by the Congregation. Such being disposed of, the Grand Hermeneutes then reads the names of any Candidates to be presented tor admission. Since Candidates tor the Order are strictly invited only by the Grand Prelate, and after sedulous investigation as to their character, no vote of acceptance is deemed necessary.

Reception of the Candidate

The candidate should be conducted to an anteroom by the Grand Exorcist, who is dressed in a black hooded robe. The Candidate is instructed to remove all his outer garments and to don a burial shroud which is conveniently placed. After this, the candidate should be laid upon a stretcher and carried into the Second Chamber by properly clothed Knight Priests previously selected for such duties. Arriving within the Second Chamber, the Candidate should be laid upon the bier. A coffin or sarcophagus of light wood should be within the chamber, complete with a lid. When the candidate is so fitted, the GP, GPt and GO enter and take their places in the East, West and South respectively. The other Knight Priests present should gather around the bier; hoods fully placed and, if possible, solemn music should be played. As the music concludes, or after a few minutes of time have passed, those around the bier should turn inwards facing it and stand in solemn silence. The GP rises and reads as follows - and as he reads, those around the bier should avert their eyes from the body and place the back of their left hands over the eyes.
GP: Alas, alas, alas, he is no more to be found; the earth hath swallowed him; the grave knows him; he is no longer a man amongst men.
Pause.
As the beast dieth, so dieth the man; their breath is over. What is a man but a beast?
Pause.
All men are of dust; from it, they carne; to it, they shall return.
Pause.
GP: Naked camest thou from thy mother's womb; naked shall thou return to darkness and the grave. All the work that thou hast done is as nothing, for thou can take nothing with thee, whither thou goest.
Pause.
Why should a man be righteous overmuch; what advantageth it him? For he goeth where there is neither good nor bad; why should he not eat, and drink, and be merry, for all that is beyond the grave is darker than the darkness.
Pause.
The dead know not anything; neither have they any more reward; the memory of them is forgotten.
Pause.
All things are the same to the good and the evil, to the just and to the unjust, to the godly and the ungodly, to the rich and the pauper alike. He that sacrificeth to the Gods, when death cometh is no better than he that sacrificeth not. All things end in the grave.
Pause.
Thou art gone to the dead; there is hope of thee no langer; thou knowest not anything, and the memory of thee is forgotten; the days of light are but few for those that remain but are past for thee and thou hast naw carne to the days of thy darkness, which shall never pass away.
Pause.
The Gods may release thee from thy mortal life, and thy soul may have the rest of nothingness, but what the Gods shall endow upon thee is given in exchange for life's delights of the past, which thou shall surrender.
Pause.
He hath found thee and bound thee, the Invincible Lord Death, with the cold light in thine eyes and garlands upon thy brow but these same garlands soon fadeth, as fadeth the day, but thy life shall not came again even as the new day cometh with the following dawn.
Pause.
Why should a man love life or hope for the everlasting of that which pleaseth. No life lasteth forever and the dead they rise no more; all things carne to an end, save one, and that is the never ending night that knows no dawn.
After the last reading, the GP moves and leads those present three times slowly around the bier and as each arrives by the head of the candidate, he should dip a sprig of hyssop into the basin of water and sprinkle his forehead. Each Knight Priest shall do this three times and then lustrate themselves individually. When all have passed around, they should then turn inwards to the candidate and shall say together:
All: Farewell, farewell, farewell.
The candidate should then be lifted from the bier and placed in the coffin after which the lid should be put in place. It should then be carried three times around the chamber by use of pa/Is and deposited in the "tomb".
The device for passing the cold air should be employed and a "door" shall be closed with a grating noise. After this, those in the chamber should depart with a loud tram ping of feet. After some time, the Grand Sub Deacon assisted by two Knight Priests dressed all in white, passes into the tomb. The GSD points at the coffin:
GSD: Who is this that has been buried without hope? Let us baptise him - though he may be dead - that he may find mercy. They lift the lid of the coffin and lay it aside.
GSD: Hold. This man is not dead. He raises the candidate to a sitting position. Who art thou?
Cand, having been previously instructed: I am Publius, the son of Gaius, having fallen into a trance, my friends, assuming my death, did bury me.
GSD: You see before you Brethren of the Christian faith who came here on a mission of mercy to commend your soul to God. We have found you alive. Wilt thou not join our company, leave behind you the life of a pagan and become one of the faithful?
Cand: I will become one of the faithful.
The candidate is then assisted out of the coffin and returned to the ante room where he is met by the Grand Exorcist and the Grand Acolyte.
GA: Who is this?
GSD: A brother in pagan darkness known as Publius, son of Gaius, who now seeks to behold the light of God that illuminates the faithful.
The GA returns to the First Chamber and the GSD and the GEx escort the candidate to the door of the church, where the GSD knocks once.
GA: Who is this?
GSD, from outside the door: Publius, the son of Gaius, a brother in pagan darkness who desires to behold the great light of God, which illuminates the faithful.
GA: Before he proceeds further, have I your assurance that he desires to give up the darkness in which he now walks?
GSD: You have
GA: Brother Grand Exorcist, do your duty.
GEx censes the candidate with a fragrant incense and says:
GEx: Depart all uncleanliness from thee; be thou freed from the tyranny of evil passions and may the sweet savour of good deeds be thine forever.
All: Amen and Amen and Amen.
The GA then passes out of the door. The candidate is then clothed in a sackcloth robe and has ashes rubbed on his forehead and is taken to the door of the church which he is told is the door to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The GA knocks upon the door twice, then thrice, then four times, which the candidate is told is twice for Heaven and Earth, thrice for the Trinity and tour times for the Elements. The Grand Reader responds:
GR: Who comes here?
GA: A poor pagan, Publius, the son of Gaius, who has renounced the indecency of this evil age and who desires to be permitted to see, in time, the great light, and to become one of the faithful.
GR: Is he purified?
GA: He is.
GR: Wait until I inform the Grand Prelate.
The GR reports to the GP who gives permission for the candidate to enter and he is brought before the screen, where he is made to kneel.
GA: Behold, O holiness, a poor pagan who seeks to be admitted a member of the Congregation of the Faithful.
GP: Is he willing to make true answer to the questions which must be asked of all those who wish to be admitted?
GA: He is.
GP to Candidate: Answer me, the, in an audible voice.
Remember that the Brethren hear thee. Grand Hermeneutes, record the answers of the Candidate.
Will you, by the grace of God, observe and obey all the Laws, Rules and Regulations of this Congregation, so far as they correspond with the revealed will of God?
The candidate must answer YEA or NAY as the case may be and each answer recorded.
Do you sincerely desire to unite with us in brotherly love, in the bond of peace, in Christian good fellows hip, never to be dissolved by slight offences or perceived differences?
Will you, if admitted as a Knight Priest of the Order of Holy Wisdom, be true to your brethren of the Templar Priesthood, their trusts, reputations and interests, for all the days of you life?
Will you, as far as lieth within your power, seek to heal any dispute between masons of any degree, as becometh a Disciple of the Prince of Peace?
Will you pay due obedience to the government of the country in which your lot has been cast. Even as our beloved brother Paul hath taught us?
Will you, if admitted to this Holy Order, observe the behaviour of those who may be candidates for admission hereafter; see that no hypocrite nor fool be allowed to apply for fellowship with us: exhort such Templar Priests as may prove to be backsliders; encourage those who are weak in spirit, correct those who deviate from the path of righteousness; censure those who are false to their vows; that this Holy Order may not be spoken ill of by the profane?
Will you truly guard any trust that we shall repose in you remembering that to him who is faithful even in a small way, great is the reward in the Kingdom of heaven? Will you be temperate in your life, modest in your bearing, true to your family, if you be a married man, as becomes a true Knight Priest? Will you be merciful, as far as in you lieth, to poor and needy members of this Order should they seek your aid? Will you unite with us in a common confession of your sins to God and in a prayer for His mercy?
Should a candidate not answer in the affirmative to any question, the Grand Exorcist shall ascend the ambo and exort him to a more Christian frame of mind. The questions that were not satisfactorily answered should then be put again. If a further negative answer should be received, the candidate should be forsworn of anything that he has seen or heard thus far, and asked to retire. There being satisfactory answers given, the confession shall be repeated by the Knight Priests:
All: Almighty Source of all Wisdom, we confess to Thee that we have broken Thy laws, wandered away from Thy Commandments, and have fallen short of that good life which Thou wouldst have us to live; we therefore pray Thee that Thou wouldst be pleased to cleanse us from our sins, and let the light of Thy countenance shine upon us in forgiveness and peace. Amen. The candidate shall then be washed in a laver as to his face and hands, his sackcloth shall be removed and the ashes cleaned off and then he shall be clothed in a white robe.
GD, as the robe is being put on: Receive this spotless robe; it is an emblem of purity, may it teach you to give yourself up to good living and to strive earnestly to be the void of offence. The Candidate is now admitted within the Screen.
GD: It becomes necessary, since you Publius, the son of Gaius, hath renounced the life of heathenism, that you should take upon yourself a new name. What shall it be? The Candidate selects a name from those listed on the Registry of the Congregation.
GP: Before proceeding further, it is necessary that I should ask you seven questions, to which you must give good heed, and answer as one who has advanced within this Temple. Grand Hermeneutes, you will again record the responses of the Candidate.
Will you truly keep the secrets of a Knight Priest unless your conscience forbids you?
Will you assist a Knight priest in all his needs as much as lies in your power?
Will you give him counsel when he seeks it of you?
Will you endeavour to bring him cheer when he seeks solace from you?
Will you surely rescue him from peril or danger?
If he seeks of you advice regarding his soul, will you render him the same if you are able so to do, or otherwise, refer him to another who is both a discreet and Godly man, to whom he may open his heart, explain his grief and obtain intrinsic counsel?
Will you ever endeavour to be true in all respects to a Knight Priest of this Holy Order? Again, the Grand Exorcist will intervene if necessary, with the same result as before. The questions being answered in the proper manner, the Candidate is made to kneel before the GP.
The oil is handed to Grand Prelate by the Grand Priest. He then anoints the candidate; first on the forehead, on the chin and then on the palms of bath hands, saying:
GP: May this sign mark thee forever as a true Knight Priest, and may Christian wisdom, of which it is a token, be a lamp to thy feet and a light unto thy path.
The Grand Prelate retires to the High Altar and the Grand Deacon conducts the candidate to the lowest of the seven steps and places him on the step in a kneeling position. He then addresses the candidate:
GD: Before making further progress, you must now answer a further seven questions, to which you must give good heed and answer as one who has advanced thus far within this Holy Temple. As before, the candidate shall answer YEA or NAY and his answers shall be recorded and similarly, the Grand exorcist will exhort the candidate to the proper responses until they are received. Progression thus far precludes further retiral.
Will you sincerely try to love your brethren?
Will you bear with understanding, the frailties and weaknesses of your Brethren?
Will you promise never to speak evil of a brother?
While in your prayers, bath Masonic and private, will you ever remember your brethren?
Will you be spent and spend in the defence of this Holy Order?
Then shall follow the pedalavium conducted by the Grand Priest and his Assistants. When the washing of the feet is completed and the Candidate has been restored to his comforts, the Grand Prelate will say:
GP: Approach and receive the wine that maketh glad the heart of men and the bread that strengthen man's heart. The wine and bread is received in solemn silence and is taken by all present.
GP: Before advancing further to the inner penetralia of this Holy Temple, you must answer another seven questions, without equivocation or any form of mental reservation. Candidate will answer YEA or NAY.
Will you, by the grace of God, be true to this Congregation and seek to be an example to all Knight Priests?
Will you, if admitted a Knight Priest, be true to your Brethren of this Holy Order?
Will you receive with meekness and humility the ungrafted word, which is able to save your soul?
Will you promise, when summoned to a Congregation of Knight Priests, to bring with you, when you attend the Congregation, a copy of the New and Old Testaments, that with your Brethren you may peruse the Scriptures, which in this degree will be read by the Grand Reader?
Will you renounce all Jesuit perversions of the faith of Jesus Christ and adhere to the true Protestant religion, which allows all men free thought of religion, provided they believe in God and in the religion of Jesus, as taught to you in your Tabernacle?
Will you, if you are obliged by your business or other lawful reasons to consort for a time with those of wicked, lewd or wrangling disposition, dispatch your business as soon may be convenient to you and withdraw from such company at the earliest possible instant with a becoming attitude and thereafter seek the conversation of those who love righteousness?
Will you always abhor those who make merchandise out of Masonry?
Will you, as far as lies in your power, seek to promote Christianity and the welfare of the human race?
GP: Approach further beloved and hearken while Grand Reader rehearses to you the Fourteen Lessons, the Seven Minor and the Seven Major.
The Grand Reader then reads the Seven Minor Lessons thus:
GR: The First Minor Lesson: Ye are a chosen generation, a Royal Priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of the darkness into His marvellous light.
The Second Minor Lesson; What agreement hath the Temple of God with idols? Ye are the Temple of the Living God.
The Third Minor Lesson: Ye are the Temple of God and the Spirit of God welleth in you.
The Fourth Minor Lesson; Carne ye and let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, to the House of God of Jacob.
The Fifth Minor Lesson: Ye are built upon the foundation of the Prophets and the Apostles, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone.
The Sixth Minor Lesson: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of Satan.
The Seventh Minor Lesson: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for Thou hast created all things and it is for, and by, Thy pleasure that all things are created.
After the reading of the Seventh Minor Lesson, the Congregation shall say together:
All: Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
The Grand Reader shall then continue with the Seven Major Lessons:
GR: The First Major Lesson: Be blameless and harmless, sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, in which ye shall shine as lights of the World, holding forth the Word of Life.
GPt: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
GR: The Second Major Lesson: This then, is the message which we have heard of Him; that God is Light and in Him is no darkness whatsoever. If we say we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, then we lie, for with Him there is no darkness, so we do not know the truth.
GPt: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
GR: The Third Major Lesson; Beloved, build yourselves upon the most Holy Faith, keep yourselves within the power of the love of God, seeking the mercy of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
GPt: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
GR: The Fourth Major Lesson; Whoever abideth in Him, cannot habitually be a sinner, and he who is habitually a sinner may neither see nor know Him.
GPt: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
GR: The Fifth Major Lesson; Awake, thou that sleepeth and arise from the dead and Christ shall shine His Light upon you.
GPt: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
GR: The Sixth Major Lesson: He showed me a pure river of the water of Life, bright as a crystal, proceeding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb.
GPt: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
GR: The Seventh Major Lesson: We all, with unveiled faces, reflecting as in a mirror, the Glory of the Lord, shall be transformed into the same image, to glory and by Glory, flowing from that Spirit which is the Lord Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
GP to the Candidate: You will advance to the second step and kneel.
When the Candidate is kneeling, the Grand Reader, the Grand Evangelist and the Grand Acolyte with swords, held point uppermost, shall take up position; the Grand Reader and Grand Evangelist on the right and left respectively, at the extremes of the second step facing inwards and the Grand Acolyte directly behind the Grand Prelate. Then six Knight Priests who shall have previously been appointed, shall stand behind the kneeling Candidate. Then the Grand Prelate and the six Knight Priests shall lay their right hands on the head of the Candidate and:
GP: We admit thee into the Priesthood of the Order of Holy Wisdom, be thou a Prelate worthy of thine office, an example to all Knight Priests, that they who follow thee, may never be ashamed.
The Grand Prelate shall give into the candidate's right hand the book of the Old Testament and says: Read these words and be thou wise unto salvation.
He then exchanges the Old for the New Testament and says: In these words, behold the Holy wisdom of the Triune God.
GP: I shall now translate to you the secrets restricted to a Knight Priest of the Order of Holy Wisdom. The Sacred Word is given with the Token of the Order and that is given by grasping hands, with the fingers clenched around the fingers, right to left and left to right in this fashion. The first then says LUCEM DEO, meaning "Light of God". The hands are then disengaged and reformed with the right to the right and the left to the left, right hands uppermost, forming a double cross, fingers clenched around fingers, when the second then says ET LUCEM CHRISTO, meaning "and the Light of Christ". The sign of a Knight Priest is called the sign of light and is given by holding out the left hand thus, as if carrying a lantern, with the right hand to the eyes as if shading them from reflected light. I caution you to remember your undertaking to be circumspect in the use of these secrets.
The curtain or screen is then drawn to the sides so that all present may view the proceedings.

The Ceremony of the Pillars

GP: Knight Priests, let us, according to ancient custom, celebrate the ceremony of the Pillars.
The Grand Prelate then stands in a central position facing the Seventh Pillar, the Grand Priest on his right at the Sixth Pillar, the Grand-Deacon on his left at the Fifth Pillar, the Grand Keeper of the Bag shall stand at the right of the Grand Priest at the Fourth Pillar, the Grand Hermeneutes at the left of the Grand Deacon at the Third Pillar, the Grand Evangelist at the extreme right at the Second Pillar and the Grand Exorcist at the extreme left at the First Pillar.
GEx: Before the Pillar of WISDOM I stand. Open unto us, O Lord, the door of Thy Faith. Let Thy Word be a Light unto our feet and a Lamp unto our paths, for Thou, O Lord, art Light and in Thee there can be no darkness.
The Grand Acolyte then lights the candle of the Grand Exorcist and the Grand Sub Deacon says:
GSD: O beloved Lord, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, open Thou the Book and loose the Seven Seals thereof.
GR: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the Tree of Life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.
GEv: Before the Pillar of STRENGTH I stand. Open unto us, O Lord, the door of Hope. Be thou our Light and Defence; may our steps be ordered by Thee and may we ever delight in Thy ways.
The Grand Acolyte then lights the candle of the Grand Exorcist and the Grand Sub Deacon says:
GSD: O Lord God, be our Light and Defence.
GR: He that overcometh shall not be hurt by the Second Death.
GH: Before the Pillar of BEAUTY I stand. Open unto us, O Lord, Thou Prince of Peace, the Door of Mercy to us and all sinners of the world. Lead Thou Thy Israel with Joy and so teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
The Grand Acolyte then lights the candle of the Grand Hermeneutes and the Grand Sub
Deacon says:
GSD: O Lord, lead Israel with joy in the Light of Mercy and Righteousness.
GR: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna and I will give him a white stone and a new name written which no man shall knoweth save him that receiveth it.
GKB: Before the Pillar of TRUTH I stand. Open unto us, O Lord, the Door of Righteous Speech that we may speak forth Thy truth unto all the nations and that Thy sound may go forth to the ends of the world. Let not the Light of Thy HOLY WISDOM ever go out; let us walk for ever in Thy truth.
The Grand Acolyte then lights the candle of the Grand Keeper of the Bag and the Grand Sub Deacon then says:
GSD: Be Thou to us, O Lord, a cooling cloud by day and a burning pillar by night, that we may be led to the Canaan of Truth.
GR: To him that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him I will give power over the nations.
GD: Before the Pillar of LIGHT I stand. Thou, O Lord, art Light; let our steps be as butler and let the rocks spew forth as rivers of oil.
The Grand Acolyte then lights the candle of the Grand Deacon and the Grand Reader says:
GR: He that overcometh, I will confess before My Father and before His Holy Angels.
GPt: Before the Pillar of POWER I stand. Open unto us, O Lord, the door of Perseverance; wisdom is the brightest of everlasting Light. O Bright Lord, lead us with joy in the Light of Thy countenance.
The Grand Acolyte then lights the candle of the Grand Priest and the Grand Sub Deacon says:
GSD: O God of Mercy, lead Thy Faithless Israel, with joy, in the Light of Thy Everlasting Mercy.
GR: To him that overcometh, of him will I make a Pillar in the Temple of God and upon him will I write a new name.
GP: I stand before the Last and Highest Pillar, the Pillar of GLORY, before the sacred image of the Invisible, before whom all men bow. All present here take a low bow from the waist. Open unto us, O Lord, the Gates of Everlasting Life.
The Grand Acolyte lights the last candle and the Grand Sub Deacon says:
GSD: O Great Pillar of Light and Glory, Father of the World and Keeper of the Way, may Thy Invisible Powers protect us and may Thy Gloryshine upon us.
GR: To him that overcometh will I grant to sit on my Throne, even as I also overcame and am sat on my Father's Throne.
GP: Knight Priests, here endeth the Ceremony of the Seven Pillars.
All resume their seats.

Unforming the Congregation of the Order of Holy Wisdom

GP: Grand Priest, before we depart, will you now deliver the Benediction.
All Stand.
GPt: O Heavenly father, Giver of Light and Pillar of Righteousness, bless these, Thy servants and render unto them Thy Divine aid and the protection of Thy Mercy. Amen.
All: Amen and Amen.
The Grand Reader closes the Books of the Scriptures and the Grand Acolyte extinguishes the seven candles, beginning with that of the Grand Prelate and ending with that of the Grand Exorcist. Thereafter, the Grand Acolyte raises the Pastoral Cross and stands on the first step of the High Altar.
GP: Knight Priests of the Order of Holy Wisdom, let us depart and celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord.
The Grand Prelate, preceded by the Grand Acolyte with the Cross, leaves the church followed by the Officers, except the Grand Brother, in descending order of rank. The Knight Priests await until the Officers retire when they are dismissed by the Grand Brother and they then make their way out of the church in solemn silence.

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