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What is the
Holy Royal Arch? |
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The Holy Royal
Arch Degree is the chronological culmination of Ancient
Craft Masonry's Legend of Hiram Abiff and is now
acknowledged to be the natural progression to Craft Masonry
once a Brother has attained the rank of Master Mason. Once
Exalted, he is then referred to as a Companion in the Royal
Arch.
The ritual of the Royal Arch, in common with that of all
Masonic degrees, takes the form of an allegory, prompting
each Companion to consider his relationship with and the
nature of his God, without compromising his own beliefs.
Like Craft Freemasonry, the Royal Arch is open to men of all
faiths.
When a Chapter is formed, it is sponsored by a Craft Lodge
and takes its name and number from its sponsoring Craft
Lodge (although there are a small number of exceptions to
this). Therefore, a Chapters number is not an indicator of
its length of existence or seniority.
Companions wear regalia of a different design from that of a
Craft Lodge. The Apron has a red and blue border, these
colours being repeated on the Sash, which is adorned with a
special Jewel to denote the bond that exists between Craft
and Royal Arch. It is also customary for Companions also to
wear this Jewel in their Craft Lodge.A Royal Arch Chapter,
is ruled by three Principals for one year. Each Chapter then
has an annual Installation meeting, at which a new team of
officers is set in place. The degree has long enjoyed a
close affinity with Craft Masonry. In fact most of the
rulers of the order hold the same offices as in the Craft,
i.e. - First Grand Principal (HRH the Duke of Kent), The Pro
First Grand Principal - ( The Marquess of Northampton ) and
so on.Like any other degree in
Freemasonry, The Holy Royal Arch is a large contributor to
charity, and in recently the Order in Devonshire has made
large donations to notable |
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as the Green Welly Appeal, the Chestnut Appeal and the
Tsunami Relief Appeal. Recentlt, it has also donated
£5000.00 to the Devon Air Ambulance, £5000.00 to Torbay
Hospital Heart Appeal, and £10,000.00 to the Roy Goddard
Appeal for Children with little or no sight.( West of
England School for the Blind). It has also given recently a
total of £4,500 to a number of smaller deserving cases.
Currently, the order in Devonshire is also supporting the
2012 Masonic festival in aid of the Royal Masonic Trust for
Girls and Boys. |
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