How To Join The Templars: Modern Chivalric Pathways And Historical Requirements

To join the modern Knights Templar, candidates must pursue one of two primary pathways: the Masonic York Rite Commandery, which requires obtaining the Master Mason degree and professing a Christian faith, or an ecumenical chivalric organization such as the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (SMOTJ). Both avenues require formal sponsorships, background screenings, and a commitment to charitable service and historical preservation.

Prerequisite Qualifications and Modern Order Affiliation

Before initiating the application process, candidates must understand that the medieval Order of the Temple (dissolved by Pope Clement V in 1312) no longer exists in its original military-monastic form. Modern organizations operating under the Templar banner are fraternal, chivalric, or charitable institutions. Because these bodies maintain distinct entry requirements, structural alignment, and financial obligations, prospective members must select the pathway that matches their personal background and religious convictions.

Modern Templar Pathways & Entry Checklist

• Masonic Knights Templar (York Rite): This is the most widely recognized and organized modern Templar body. It operates as an appendant body of Freemasonry.
  
  
  • Mandatory Credentials: Must be a Master Mason in good standing within a Grand Lodge recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE).
  • Religious Requirement: Must profess a firm belief in the Christian religion (this is unique within Freemasonry, which otherwise only requires a belief in a Supreme Being).
  • Estimated Financial Investment: $300 to $1,000 initially (covers petition fees, local lodge dues, and required ceremonial regalia/uniform).
  • Time Commitment: 6 to 18 months to progress through the prerequisite Masonic degrees before petitioning the Commandery.
• Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (SMOTJ): A prominent, non-Masonic, autonomous Christian chivalric order recognized in many nations as a charitable organization.
  
  
  • Mandatory Credentials: Sponsorship by an active Knight or Dame of the Order; proof of good moral character and civic engagement.
  • Religious Requirement: Open to all practicing Christians (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, and Anglican).
  • Estimated Financial Investment: $500 to $1,200 for initial passage, passage fee, and the insignia/mantle.
  • Time Commitment: 1 to 2 years of active participation as a postulant before formal investiture.
• Historical Reconstructionist and Chivalric Societies: Various smaller, independent neo-Templar orders exist globally.
  
  
  • Prerequisite Warning: Verify the legitimacy of independent orders. Avoid "diploma mills" or organizations charging exorbitant fees for self-styled noble titles. Legitimate orders focus on historical preservation, academic research, and charitable works rather than selling honors.

The Modern Step-by-Step Templar Initiation Pathways

The steps to join a Templar body differ depending on whether you choose the Masonic pathway or the ecumenical chivalric pathway. Below are the precise operational steps for both methods.

Path A: The Masonic York Rite Commandery

Step 1: Join a Craft Masonic Lodge

To qualify for the Masonic Knights Templar, you must first become a Master Mason. Petition a local Masonic Lodge recognized by your jurisdiction's Grand Lodge. You must pass through the three symbolic degrees of Craft Masonry:

1. Entered Apprentice: The first step, focusing on moral education and the foundational symbols of the fraternity.
2. Fellowcraft: The second step, emphasizing the liberal arts, sciences, and the development of intellectual skills.
3. Master Mason: The third and highest degree in a Craft Lodge, symbolizing the mortality of man and the hope of immortality. This process typically requires three to twelve months, depending on the jurisdiction's proficiency requirements.

Warning: Do not join Freemasonry solely to become a Knight Templar. Grand Lodges look for candidates who genuinely desire to improve themselves and serve their communities through the foundational degrees of Craft Masonry.

Step 2: Advance Through the York Rite Appendant Bodies

Once raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, you must petition the York Rite. The York Rite is a system of cooperative Masonic degrees that expands on the history of the Temple of Solomon. You must complete:

• The Capitular Degrees (Royal Arch Chapter): Comprising the Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason degrees.
• The Cryptic Degrees (Cryptic Council): Comprising the Royal Master, Select Master, and (in some jurisdictions) Super Excellent Master degrees. Note that some commanderies allow petitioning directly after the Royal Arch, but completing the Council degrees is highly recommended.

Step 3: Petition the Commandery of Knights Templar

After receiving the Royal Arch degree, you may formally petition your local Commandery of Knights Templar. The petition must be signed by two current members of the Commandery who recommend your character. The petition will go to an investigating committee, which will interview you regarding your faith, character, and understanding of the Order's Christian focus.

Step 4: Receive the Chivalric Orders

If your petition is approved by a unanimous ballot, you will receive the three Orders of the Commandery:

1. The Illustrious Order of the Red Cross: Focuses on the truth and the rebuilding of the Second Temple.
2. The Order of Malta: A Christian degree focusing on the history of the Knights Hospitaller (Order of St. John of Jerusalem) and their defense of the faith.
3. The Order of the Temple: The pinnacle of the York Rite, where the candidate is dubbed a Knight Templar. This ritual centers on the preservation of the Christian faith, pilgrimage, and self-sacrifice.

Pro-Tip: Upon receiving the Order of the Temple, you will be required to acquire the official uniform, which includes a double-breasted frock coat, chapeau, sword, and belt. Check with your Commandery's Recorder regarding second-hand uniform closets to reduce initial startup costs.

Path B: The Non-Masonic Chivalric Path (SMOTJ)

Step 1: Establish Contact with a Local Priory

The Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (SMOTJ) operates through regional "Priories." Research the Grand Priory of your nation to locate the nearest local Priory. Attend public charity events, educational symposiums, or open chapel services hosted by the Priory to introduce yourself.

Step 2: Secure a Sponsor

To apply, you must be nominated by a sponsor who is a Knight or Dame in good standing within the Order. To secure this sponsorship, you must demonstrate a commitment to Christian charity, historical preservation of the Holy Land, and civic responsibility. You will be asked to submit a detailed curriculum vitae (CV), professional references, and proof of your active Christian faith (such as a baptismal certificate or a letter from your pastor).

Step 3: Complete the Postulant Phase

If your initial application is accepted, you will enter the Order as a "Postulant." During this preparation phase, which typically lasts one year, you must:

• Attend regional Priory meetings and educational lectures.
• Participate in the Priory’s charitable initiatives, particularly those supporting Christian communities in the Middle East.
• Study the history, bylaws, and code of chivalry of the Order.

Step 4: Solemn Investiture

Upon successful completion of the postulant phase and approval by the Priory’s leadership council, you will be invited to the annual Convent (national or regional meeting) for formal investiture. During a solemn chapel service, you will receive the accolade (knighting ceremony), take your vows of service, and be invested with the white mantle adorned with the red cross patent.

Comparative Structural Analysis of Templar Bodies

The following table provides a technical comparison of the primary pathways to becoming a modern Knight Templar, contrasted with the rules governing the medieval historical Order.

Navigating Hurdles and Application Rejections

Joining a chivalric order requires passing background checks and peer reviews. Below are common complications encountered during the petitioning phase and how to resolve them.

Scenario 1: Rejection of Petition in the Masonic Path

• Root Cause: The candidate received a "black cube" (negative vote) during the secret ballot process at the Commandery or the Blue Lodge level, or did not meet the Grand Lodge residency requirements.
• Actionable Fix: Request a meeting with the Lodge or Commandery Secretary. If the rejection occurred at the Blue Lodge level, you must wait a mandated period (typically six to twelve months, depending on Grand Lodge statutes) before repetitioning. Use this time to address any personal or professional conflicts with existing members, participate in open lodge events, and demonstrate your commitment to Masonic principles.

Scenario 2: Lack of local Priory or Commandery

• Root Cause: The candidate lives in a rural or geographically isolated area where no active Templar body operates.
• Actionable Fix: For Masonic Templars, contact your state's Grand Commandery to inquire about "Day of Light" festivals or virtual/regional commanderies that meet less frequently but cover a wider geographic area. For SMOTJ, apply to become a "Knight-at-Large" or join the nearest Priory as an associate member, completing most postulant requirements through video conferencing and traveling only for the annual Convent and Investiture.

Scenario 3: Disqualification Based on Faith Criteria

• Root Cause: A non-Christian candidate wishes to join the Masonic York Rite or the SMOTJ but cannot conscientiously swear to defend the Christian faith.
• Actionable Fix: If you are a Freemason who does not practice the Christian faith, redirect your Masonic journey toward the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR) or the Allied Masonic Degrees (AMD), which offer deep philosophical and historical lessons without requiring a Christian-specific oath. Non-Christian individuals seeking chivalric/humanitarian work should consider joining secular chivalric orders or community service organizations such as the Rotary Club or the Lions Club.

Scenario 4: Financial Hardship from Regalia Costs

• Root Cause: The high upfront cost of purchasing ceremonial uniforms, swords, and membership fees prevents a qualified candidate from advancing.
• Actionable Fix: Inform the Commander or Priory Almoner of your situation. Most Commanderies maintain an inventory of donated regalia from deceased members that can be loaned or gifted to new knights. Additionally, payment plans for initiation fees are frequently approved upon request to ensure financial constraints do not bar worthy candidates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Masonic Templars and SMOTJ?

The Masonic Knights Templar require candidates to be Master Masons in good standing before joining, and their structure is deeply integrated into the fraternal system of Freemasonry. The Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (SMOTJ) is a non-Masonic, ecumenical Christian order focused primarily on humanitarian work, particularly supporting Christian communities in the Middle East and preserving historical sites in the Holy Land.

Can women join the Knights Templar?

In the Masonic Knights Templar, membership is strictly limited to men, as it requires Master Mason status within traditional Grand Lodges that do not admit women. However, the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (SMOTJ) welcomes both men and women, who are invested as Knights and Dames, respectively, with equal standing and voting rights within the Order.

Are modern Templars directly descended from the medieval knights?

No modern Templar organization can prove a direct, unbroken historical descent from the medieval Order dissolved by the Catholic Church in the 14th century. While some groups claim lineage through the Larmenius Charter or historical survival theories, historians generally agree that modern Templar organizations are spiritual and philosophical heirs who adopted the name, symbols, and values of the medieval knights during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Do I have to go to war or fight to be a modern Knight Templar?

Modern Templar organizations are completely non-military, peaceful, and philanthropic associations. The historical military role of defending the Holy Land has been replaced with spiritual defense, charitable fundraising, supporting disaster relief efforts, and preserving historical and religious sites around the world.

Embark on Your Chivalric Journey

If you are ready to dedicate yourself to the principles of modern chivalry, charity, and historical preservation, your first step is to engage with your local community. Contact a local Masonic Lodge to begin the path of Freemasonry, or reach out to a nearby SMOTJ Priory to discover how you can support their global humanitarian missions.