York Rite Freemasonry and Its Various Degrees

by Online Masonic Regalia Online Masonic Regalia

York Rite is considered the oldest and the purest form of Ancient Craft Masonry that dates back to 926 A.D. It has adopted its name from the City of York, located in the north of England. It comprises of three constituent and indispensable bodies namely the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, the Council of Royal and Select Masons and the Commandery of Knights Templars.   

It has three high standard degrees:

·         Entered Apprentice

·         Fellow Craft

·         Master Mason

All these standard degrees make up the ‘Blue Lodge’ and teach an integrated story of Ancient Craft Masonry with the help of a series of events, biblical and legendary. York Rite and Scottish Rites both have these degrees and allow the Freemasons to gain these higher degrees for the expansion of their knowledge. The number of degrees attainable in both these Rites is different. Scottish Rite has a total of 33 degrees whereas the York Rite consists of 10 degrees.

Degrees in York Rite Freemasonry

It has three independent bodies that are referred to as Chapters, Councils, and Commanderies. Each of these bodies has its own rituals that are managed by their respective chief officers. Members of Chapters wear red blazer jackets while the members of Council wear purple.   

Once a Freemason has been conferred the degree of a Master Mason, he may enter into a Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons where he attains the Royal Arch degrees. After receiving these degrees, he progresses to a Council of Cryptic Masons where he gains knowledge about the Select Master degrees and then finally enters the Commandery of the Knights Templar where he gains deeper knowledge about the Chivalric degrees.

The Capitular Degrees

The Capitular Degrees comprises four degrees that are controlled by the Royal Arch Chapter. These degrees are centered on the construction phases of Solomon’s Temple.

Mark Master

Mark Master degree is centered on the story of the Fellowcraft of the quarry and their role in the construction of the Solomon’s Temple. This degree focuses on the lessons of discipline, regularity and integrity.

Past Master

Past Master degree is conferred to a Freemason and according to the ancient custom; a Mason must be a Past Master in order to be exalted to the Royal Arch. This degrees focuses on the lessons of harmony and may be conferred upon on all sitting Masters of the Blue Lodge.

The Royal Arch

The Royal Arch degree is conferred upon the completion of the Master Mason degree.  This degree explains the origin of the Substitute Word found in the Master Mason degree and the recovery of the Master’s Word.

The Cryptic Degrees

The Cryptic Degrees consists of three degrees and are controlled by the Select Masters Council. Only the first two degrees are regularly worked while the third one is that of a Super Excellent Master that works only as an honorary degree that is not necessary for the membership of the Council.

Royal Master

Royal Master centers on the Fellow Craft Masons who fabricated the fitting and furniture of the Temple. This degree focuses on the lessons of patience and fortitude.

Select Master

Select Master degree centers on the events that lead to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple at the hands of the Chaldeans. This degree focuses on the lessons of faithfulness and loyalty.

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Created on Aug 1st 2019 00:37. Viewed 294 times.

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