Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Alberta
Concordant Bodies

York Rite Masonry Video
Produced for the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Indiana.
Created by Christopher Hodapp, author of Freemasons For Dummies and the Templar Code For Dummies.
ABOUT YORK RITE

While the degrees in all concordant bodies have much inherent value and beauty, those of the York Rite are especially impressive.
ROYAL ARCH

It is the first step in York Rite Masonry. Here within the Chapter you will receive the necessary instruction and information to fill in some of the missing pieces from the Masonic history taught in the Masonic Lodge. The Chapter is referred as Capitular Masonry, providing a member with the opportunity for further advancement within the brotherhood.
Every Chapter within the Province of Alberta falls under the jurisdiction of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Alberta. To become a member of a Chapter, you must first be a Mason, and then you may apply for an application. Once accepted you will receive three Degrees:
- Mark Master Mason
- Most Excellent Master
- Royal Arch Mason
THE COUNCIL OF CRYPTIC RITE MASONS, ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS
A Royal Arch Mason may petition to become a member of a Council of Royal and Select Masters, whose teachings expand further on those of the Craft Lodge and the Royal Arch.
THE PRECEPTORY OF KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
Royal Arch Masons who profess the Christian faith may petition a Preceptory of Knights Templar. The Order of the Red Cross is based upon Old Testament events and is thus pre-Christian in its focus. This order has much in common with the 15th and 16th degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.
THE ALLIED MASONIC DEGREES
This group invites Royal Arch masons to study and preserve some of the lesser known ‘arcane’ degrees of Freemasonry.
THE YORK RITE SOVEREIGN COLLEGE OF NORTH AMERICA
The college invites members who are both Super Excellent Masters and Knights Templar. They provide a resource of ritualists for the other York Rite Bodies for special occasions. There is a college in Edmonton and Calgary. Their main Degree is that of The Knight of York.

HOLY ROYAL ARCH KNIGHT TEMPLAR PRIESTS
This group admits members by invitation who are Installed Masters of their Craft Lodge and Knights Templar. They have control over thirty degrees but usually confer only the ‘Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest’ degree. There are two Grand Colleges, one in the UK and the other in the USA. The local Tabernacles, one in Edmonton and one in Calgary, are both of the UK affiliation.
Order of the High Priesthood
THE ORDER OF THE RED CROSS OF CONSTANTINE
Membership is by invitation of Royal Arch Masons only. The order was established in England in 1865. There are Conclaves in Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge. The Canadian Constitution is represented.
Knights of the York Cross of Honour
Knights of the York Cross of Honour was established as an Honour Group for York Rite Masons. The requirements for membership are that each proposed Candidate for membership must have presided over a Lodge as a Worshipful Master, over a Chapter as Excellent First Principal, over a Council as Thrice Illustrious Master and over a Preceptory as Preceptor for at least one entire year. Knights of the York Rite Cross of Honour are York Rite Masons who are dedicated to serving the Masonic Fraternity as a Labor of Love.