School of the New KnightBeing a Knight of the Order of the Temple, and what Commandery is all about

Sir Knight John E. Helcl, IIGrand Standard Bearer, Grand Commandery of Minnesota, 2014-2015Past Commander, Cyrene Commandery #9, 2012-2014

(Revised March2015)

Course Topics

✠Structure from Constituent Commanderies to the Grand

Encampment

✠Expectations of a Commandery, Officers, Knights; and the Ralph

Kirk Award

✠Uniforms, Regalia, and Procurement

✠Question and answer session

Regalia & Marks of Distinction

Ooh…… shiny!

Marks, jewels, & swag While uniform standards

seemingly differ from state to state, the nomenclature used to identify honors within the Order are quite universal.

The following are jewels or medals that you will see in common use in Minnesota

Quick and dirty rule If a jewel is hung with a

purple ribbon, it is a commendation bestowed by the Grand Encampment.

If a jewel has a gold or silver metal device in which it is hung- all bets are off…

If a jewel is hung with a black ribbon, it is either a Constituent Commandery office jewel, or a jewel of the preceding Orders

If a jewel is hung with a ½ Black, ½ White ribbon, it is likely a Grand Commandery commendation (or in some cases, Constituent officers’ jewels)

Jewels of the OrdersOrder of the Red

Cross(This is an optional

jewel)

Order of Malta(This is a required jewel for all

non-Grand Encampment Knights)

Past Commander’s jewels

Commandery Chair Degrees

Past Commander’s Association

In some other states, it is replaced by the Sovereign Order of the Preceptor (which is not authorized for wear) (May also act as sub for PEC jewel)

Knight Crusader of the Cross

While a recognized Order, the jewel is not authorized for wear in Minnesota.

Membership awardsMinnesota

Membership G.E. Membership

Awarded for being top-line signer on 15 petitions

Awarded for having the highest percentage increase in membership in the state in one

year

(2 given to a Commandery, traditionally 1 to the Commander and 1 to a Knight of his choice in his

Commandery)

Grand Encampment Honors: The Top Honors

Knight Templar Cross of Honor

Considered the highest honor in Templary

These are most often adorned around the neck of the Knight with a crimson ribbon (but can be worn on the uniform coat as a jewel as well).

Each Grand Commandery is limited to one recipient per year, plus one additional award for every 5000 Knights (or major fraction thereof) in that Grand Commandery’s membership rolls

Awarded by the Grand Commander to a Knight of his choice.

CANNOT be awarded to a current or past elected member of a Grand Commandery

Grand Encampment Honors: The Top HonorsKnight

Commander of the Temple These are adorned around the

neck of a Sir Knight with a purple ribbon

Five KCTs may be awarded per year for Grand Commanderies with membership fewer than 7,500. Ten for G.C.s with over 7,500 Sir Knights.

Only past KCT recipients can nominate Knights to receive this honor.

Grand Encampment Honors: The Top Honors

Knight Grand Cross of the

Temple The KGC is bestowed upon

a Knight that is elected an officer of the Grand Encampment

Other non-G.E. Knights may be nominated for the KGC by any member of the College of Honors, but only receive it with a unanimous approval of all the College’s active members.

Grand Encampment Honors: The Top Honors

Grand Cross Templar

Total GCT-bestowed Knights is set at 24 (not counting elected or appointed officers of the G.E.)

Denotes membership in the College of Honors only, and is the same “level” as the KGC

This is only for active and emeriti members of the College of Honors

Additional HonorsGold Shield of the

Grand Commandery of

Minnesota Awarded by the Commander of a Constituent Commandery to a Knight who has shown service above and beyond.

Wears as a lapel pin Highest official award

the Commander of a constituent Commandery can bestow himself

Commendation barsKnight York Cross

of HonorMilitary Service

Ribbon

What CAN’T be worn on the

uniform?

Awards you haven’t earned!

KYCH neck cable & jewel

KYGCH marks or jewels

HRAKTP neck ribbon & jewel

Sovereign Order of the Preceptor jewel

Any other York Rite invitation-only body’s marks or jewels

Blue Lodge marks or jewels

Jewels, pins, etc. from any other Masonic or non-Masonic organization or body

More in store… Never underestimate the ability for a very

seasoned Knight to be wearing a medal you haven’t seen before. Some of our elder statesmen have previously received commendation awards that are no longer used by the Grand Commandery or Grand Encampment

More on uniforms and dress standards will be addressed in the quartermastering segment.

Q & A and MiscellanyOpen floor for discussion