The Great Priory of the Order of the Temple (Knights Templar) is contained within 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. Prospective Candidates must be a Master Mason, a Royal Arch Mason and a Trinitarian Christian. According to legend, the Order of Knights Templar was founded in c.1118 CE to protect pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem, where the small band of warrior monks established a headquarters. King Baldwin II of Jerusalem granted the Templars quarters on the Temple Mount and this forms the link to the Royal Arch. Many men, of noble birth, joined the ranks of the Templars. Those who were unable to join often gifted the Templars with land and other valuables. Modern Masonic association with these medieval defenders of the Christian Holy places is linked by the ceremony of Installation in which the Candidate takes the part of a Pilgrim who, by symbolically embarking on a Crusade, is elevated to Knighthood. The earliest reference to modern Masonic Knight Templar activity in England can be found in the minutes of the Chapter of Friendship (Royal Arch) in Portsmouth, dated 1778, where it was worked as an Appendant Degree. In 1791 a Grand Conclave was formed comprising seven ‘Encampments’ with Thomas Dunckerley as Grand Master. By 1873 ‘Grand Conclave’ was known as ‘Great Priory’, and ‘Encampments’ were known as ‘Preceptories’. The ceremony is very realistic and the regalia spectacular, based upon that worn by the Medieval Knights. 

M.E. & S.Kt. Paul R. Clement, OStJ, G.C.T.

One must be a Royal Arch Companion and profess a belief in the Trinitarian Christian Faith. The Marks to be prefixed to the signature of each Member of the Order according to his Rank

Since its move to East Jerusalem 50 years ago, The St John Ophthalmic Hospital has evolved into a series of centres of ophthalmic excellence right across the occupied Palestinian territory. Though a mere fifty years is nothing when compared to the 128 years that the Hospital has been in the Holy Land – and pales into insignificance alongside the original Order of St John Hospital, established in Jerusalem in 1099 – the last half a century has seen some momentous changes in the nature of what has become the modern Hospital Group. Here we take a look back at some of the greatest achievements accomplished during these 50 years, which serve to highlight just how much of an impact our charity continues to make in a very troubled region of the world 

Experience the last Great Priory Meeting

On Wednesday, 15 May, a significant gathering of Knights Templar from the English Constitution and international visitors attended the Annual Chapter of Great Priory at Freemasons’ Hall. The meeting began with the re-election of Paul Raymond Clement as Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master, proposed by the Great Seneschal Andrew Christopher Rainbow and met with enthusiasm. The Grand Master reappointed the Seneschal and later invested R.E.Kt. John Roberts and R.E.Kt. Patrick Peter Crossan as Knights Commander of the United Orders. The Grand Master also invested 137 Knights receiving promotions or appointments to Great Rank. He praised the work of the King Edward VII Preceptory of Improvement Workshops and recognised two newly qualified Preceptor and Marshal Knights, Edward Lines and Adrian Moseley. A warm welcome was extended to international visitors and other Masonic leaders, with updates on the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group's efforts. In his closing remarks, the Grand Master encouraged commitment to Freemasonry and the Royal Arch, emphasising the importance of fostering new candidates. The meeting concluded with alms collection and a meal, marking a memorable day for all attendees and honorees.