The Knights Templar is a Christian-oriented fraternal organization that is based on the history and mythos surrounding the medieval crusading order of warrior-monks, known as the Knights Templar, which existed from the 12th to the 14 centuries.

Originally, the Knights Templar were laymen who protected and defended Christians traveling to Jerusalem. These men took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and were renowned for their fierceness and courage in battle.

Today, the Knights Templar display their courage and goodwill in other ways. They organize fund-raising activities such as breakfasts, dinners, dances, and flea markets. They support Masonic-related youth groups and they raise millions of dollars for medical research and educational assistance.

Currently, Templar membership consists of people from all walks of life, including doctors, lawyers, clergy, businessmen, politicians, and entertainment personalities, all of whom profess a belief in the Christian Religion.

The Knights Templar operate regionally on a local, state, and national level; but their religious activities extend across international borders, as well. Nationally, there is The Grand Encampment of Knights Templar. This unit defines the rituals and laws governing state and local level organizations.

The state level is called A Grand Commandery of Knights Templar. This organization represents members of a state or an area of equivalent size.

Finally, the local level unit is called a Commandery of Knights Templar. There are almost 1,600 Commanderies in communities across the United States, Germany, Italy and Mexico, with over 260,000 members. California Grand Commandery is made up of 50 constituent Commanderies, with a total membership of approximately 6,000.

To become a Knight Templar, you must first become a Master Mason in good standing in a regular Masonic Lodge. The catch words “To be one, ask one” applies in the case of a man who is not a Mason.

Any Master Mason is free to ask any York Rite Mason about membership. There should be a Brother Mason in your Lodge, who is also a York Rite Mason, with whom you can speak.

The road to becoming a Knight Templar includes becoming a Royal Arch Mason and a Cryptic Mason. You will receive symbolic teaching that will greatly enhance and supplement the moral teachings of the Craft Lodge.

Grand Commandery
Knights Templar of California
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