{"id":21,"date":"2023-08-15T18:39:52","date_gmt":"2023-08-16T01:39:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yorkriteca.org\/royal-arch\/?page_id=21"},"modified":"2023-09-14T15:07:06","modified_gmt":"2023-09-14T22:07:06","slug":"what-is-royal-arch","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/yorkriteca.org\/royal-arch\/what-is-royal-arch\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Royal Arch?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
No Rite of Freemasonry covers the world, as does Royal Arch Masonry. Royal Arch Chapters will be found in every country of the Earth, on every continent, and on many isles of the sea, eager and willing to receive their companions from other parts of the world into the full fellowship that characterizes Royal Arch Masonry. In Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the continent of Australia will be found hundreds of Royal Arch Chapters into whose halls you will ever be a welcome visitor. We find upwards of 750,000 members in 3,000 Chapters in our own country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Founded in 1797 in Boston, MA, as a national organization, the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, International now has jurisdiction over half the 7000 Chapters in the world, including provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan in Canada, the Grand Chapters of Mexico, Philippines, Germany, Italy, Greece, and many chapters in South America. Upon your exaltation as a Royal Arch Mason, you will be a member of Freemasonry\u2019s oldest and largest rite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What has attracted so many brethren to seek further light in Royal Arch Masonry? In your journey through the three degrees of Symbolic Masonry, and as you have studied for your proficiency, no doubt many questions have arisen concerning the meaning of the ritualistic ceremonies, the historical implications, and the \u201cwhy\u201d of the legends of Freemasonry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many believe the Sublime Degree of Master Mason to be the ultimate degree of Freemasonry and all others to be added and explanatory. Most students of Freemasonry agree that the story of the Craft as presented in the three degrees is incomplete and that the degrees of the Royal Arch complete the story and answer many of the questions in the mind of the newly made Master Mason. The Royal Arch Degree was considered most important in the early years of Freemasonry, and so dogmatic was the Mother Grand Lodge \u2013 from which all Speculative Masonry derives \u2013 that in 1813, when the two grand lodges in England united, a firm and solemn landmark was adopted and placed in the Articles of Union to guide Masons throughout the world forever on this matter:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPure Ancient Freemasonry consists of but three degrees, viz., that of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This landmark has never been changed, and to this day, no other degree has been officially recognized by the Mother Grand Lodge. Every rite, system, or additional degree of York Rite of Freemasonry cannot confer its degree on a Master Mason until he has received the Royal Arch Degree. Naturally, this is as it should be because a man is not a Master Mason until he receives the Master\u2019s Word, which he can only receive in the Holy Royal Arch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chapter of Royal Arch Masonry consists of four degrees: Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Mark Master<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Mark Master Degree is believed to have originated as a ceremony of registering a craftsman\u2019s mark in those years distinguished by the operative craft masons and their temple building. It was later developed into a full-fledged degree by the Masonic fraternity as we know it today. Some scholars say it was the earliest degree and may predate all others by many years. It is highly regarded by students and ritualists as one of the most beautiful degrees in all Masonry, teaching lessons that have proven valuable in all works of life. Some Grand Lodges place so high an eminence on the Mark Master Degree that they confine it to the jurisdiction of a separate grand body, the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Past Master<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Past Master\u2019s Degree came into being because the designation of Royal Arch was initially conferred by the Symbolic (Blue) Lodge only on actual Past Masters. This degree was instituted to allow all worthy Brethren to receive the Royal Arch Degree. The first record of its conferral was found in 1768 in England.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Most Excellent Master<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Most Excellent Master Degree is a product of American innovation. It was conferred in a Royal Arch Chapter as early as 1783 in Middletown, CN. It is by far the most spectacular degree in all of Freemasonry. It is the only degree that brings forcibly to our attention the completion and dedication of King Solomon\u2019s Temple, the very idea upon which all Masonic symbolism has been based.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Royal Arch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Royal Arch Degree is the climax of Ancient Craft Masonry and Masonic Symbolism. It is described as \u201cthe root and marrow of Freemasonry.\u201d It is the complete story of Jewish History during some of its darkest hours. Jerusalem and the Holy Temple are destroyed. The people of Israel are being held captive as slaves in Babylon. Here, you will join some of the captives as they are set free to return home and engage in the noble and glorious work of rebuilding the city and the Temple of God. During this rebuilding, they make a discovery that brings to light the greatest treasure of a Mason \u2014 the long-lost Master\u2019s Word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many historians have traced the earliest origins of the Royal Arch Degree to Ireland, late in the 17th Century and in England in 1738. In 1752, ambulatory or military warrants for lodges were introduced. This was instrumental in placing the Royal Arch Degree on par with the Master Mason Degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Military lodges were greatly responsible for planting Freemasonry in the Colonies and also gave birth to the use of the Mark and Royal Arch Degrees in the \u201cNew World.\u201d Lodge records show that the Royal Arch Degree was conferred at Fredericksburg No. 4 on December 12, 1753. George Washington was raised in this lodge a few months prior to this date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The value of Royal Arch Masonry will be appreciated by all who are exalted to that most sublime degree, particularly by those who are seeking to complete their Masonic education. It reveals the full light of Ancient Craft Masonry, presents it as a complete system in accordance with the original plan, and justly entitles you to claim the noble name of Master Mason. Royal Arch Masonry contains some simple, plain statements of Truth that are easily understandable and helpful in our relation to life. Lodge symbolism deals with lessons of the material side of life. The Chapter degrees, and notably the Royal Arch, deal with the spiritual side of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Order of High Priesthood (also known as the Order of Melchizedek) is a degree that is available to Companions who have been elected & installed \u201cHigh Priest\u201d (Worshipful Master \/ President) of their Royal Arch Chapter. It tells the story of Abraham meeting Melchizedek, which is found in the Book of Hebrews.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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