Freemasonry Structure & Branches

THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR DEGREES – THE GREAT PRIORY

The Knights Templar ceremonies are composed of two separate parts: rituals separated in 1974 following a decision of United Grand Lodge whose practice is followed. These parts are:

• The Order of the Temple - and Drill
• The Ancient and Masonic Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta.

The whole of the degree is worked under the aegis of "The Great Priory" of the "United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple, and of St. John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta, of England and Wales and its provinces overseas." This rather cumbersome title reflects the troubled history of the Templars and the subsequent rift that gave rise to the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem.

In 1969 was the first preceptory of this order founded in the Netherlands. This order is in England, Scotland and the United States active since the second part of the 18th century. It upholds the 'Templar tradition' of freemasonry in a special way. 
The order consist of three degrees: ‘Knight of the Temple and the Holy Sepulchre (Knight Templar), 'Knight of St. Paul' en ‘Knight Hospitaller of St. John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta (Knight of Malta). The degree Knight of St. Paul is not worked in, this degree is communicated at the initiation of a Knight of Malta. The Knight Templars have a Preceptor as chairman, the Knights of Malta a Prior.

Membership of this order is open for freemasons who profess the Christian faith and are willing to make an obligation on the Tri-Unity, and are Royal Arch Masons. Candidates must be proposed by two members of the Order. The longest sitting members of this order can be invited to join the Holy Order of Knights Beneficent of the Holy City.For Husbands and widows of members the Social Order of the Beauceant is open in the U.S.