The Degrees and Orders of The York Rite of Freemasonry

CAPITULAR DEGREES

MARK MASTER

    The work on the Temple continues. Amplifying the Fellowcraft Degree, we are taught that knowledge we received there can be employed most usefully and judiciously for our honor and the profit of others.
    A beautiful lesson is exemplified, inculcating the truth that although we are often misunderstood, underrated and traduced, there is ONE who will make the rejected stone the head of the corner.

PAST MASTER

    This Degree begins the preparation for the Royal Arch, which we are told was removed from the Symbolic Degrees, of which it was once a part, to reserve it for the more earnest seeker of more Light in Masonry.
    Originally only Past Masters of Lodges were admitted to the sublime secrets of the Royal Arch. This meant that very few could receive them. The Degree of Past Master (virtual) teaches the candidate that he must first learn to obey before he can rule, and to govern himself before he can govern others.

MOST EXCELLENT MASTER

    This is a significant Degree in Ancient Craft Masonry. King Solomon's Temple, which was begun so auspiciously and halted so dramatically in the Third Degree, is completed amid much rejoicing and great splendor.
    The labors of the Craft are given the blessing of the Lord, who descended as fire from heaven.
    King Solomon, in his gratitude, received and acknowledged them Most Excellent Masters, empowered them to travel and receive Master's Wages, and charged them with the responsibility of sharing their Masonic Light and Knowledge with those less informed.

THE ROYAL ARCH

    In this Degree we find the completion to the Master's Degree and the Recovery of the Word. After the death of King Solomon, his magnificent Temple was destroyed and the Israelites carried away as captives to Babylon, where they lived for about 76 years. Here, many acquired considerable wealth and attained high rank and influence in the Chaldean government.
    However, when liberated by King Cyrus, many of them returned to Jerusalem and began rebuilding the Temple. While this work was going on and rubbish of the ruins of the first Temple was being cleared away, many interesting and valuable discoveries were made, chief of which was the recovery of the Lost Word.
    With the recovery of that which was lost, it would seem to the novitiate that his search for Light was ended. However in order that he might better acquire the lessons, a seemingly inverse movement of the Degrees, historically, is set up.

CRYPTIC DEGREES

ROYAL MASTER

    This Degree takes us backward in time to a day prior to the death of the builder, who is again the central character. He imparts sublime teachings of a useful labor on earth to the candidate and gives him instruction as to the preservation of our valuable secrets.
    This is one the most beautiful Degrees in all Masonry. Its lessons are so impressive that they are seldom forgotten. It is especially illustrative of the third and seventh Degrees.

SELECT MASTER

    Historically, this Degree occurs also prior to the third Degree and deals with incidents that occurred at the building of the first Temple. It is closely connected with Royal Arch Degree and affords the explanation needed for its perfect understanding. It is highly dramatic.

SUPER EXCELLENT MASTER

    This degree deals with incidents in the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar when Zedehiah, the last King of Judah, was conquered and carried captive to Babylon. It enlarges upon the section of the Royal Arch having to do with the capture of Jerusalem by the Babylonian King, and teaches in most dramatic fashion the lesson of fidelity. (This degree, due to its complexity, is not normally conferred in Council, and is put on at the Colorado River Fall Festival only in most even-numbered years.)

   
COMMANDERY ORDERS

ORDER OF RED CROSS

    Here again we revert to the period of the Royal Arch Degree when the Jews were returning from Babylon to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. One of their number prevails upon King Darius to restore the Holy Vessels to the new Temple. They had been carried away by the Babylonian armies when the first Temple was destroyed.
    In presenting his plea before the king, the companion gives a powerful testimony to the almighty force of Truth.

ORDER OF MALTA AND THE MEDITERRANEAN PASS

    Shifting to the time of the Crusades, admission to the Mediterranean Pass is sought so that a safe pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulcher might be undertaken. This is a sublime and sacred Order, which culminates in the enrollment of the suppliant as a Knight of Malta.

ORDER OF THE TEMPLE

    No Degree or Order in Masonry is more solemn, impressive or soul-searching than the Order of the Temple.
    It is a fitting climax to the labors of the humble penitent, who has faithfully performed the symbolic seven years of preparation for this consummation of his endeavors. He is knighted as a Christian warrior.

  Knights Templar were so named because of their close association with the site of the Temple during the years they occupied Jerusalem. The Ancient Order of the Temple has been dispersed and its warlike spirit has passed away.
  There remains, however, a spirit of refined and moral Chivalry, which prompts its members to be ever ready to defend the weak, the innocent, the helpless and the oppressed.

For more information on The York Rite of Freemasonry, visit the following sites:  
 
  The official Website of the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons International

The official Website of the General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International

  The official Website of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar

 
All members of the Masonic Family!
 
 

From here, you can also go to the:

Grand Lodge of of California, F.&A.M.

Grand Lodge of Arizona, F.&A.M.

Grand Lodge of Nevada, F.&A.M.
 
 

 Where would YOU like to go from here?
(Other than to the Riverside in Laughlin, NV, October 19, 20, 21 2008,
to be with us at the COLORADO RIVER FALL FESTIVAL!)

   (Last modified 11/17/2007)