How To Become A Templar: Modern Chivalric Pathways And Historical Requirements

To become a Knight Templar in the modern era, candidates must choose between two highly structured pathways: the Masonic York Rite Commandery, which requires achieving the status of a Master Mason and professing a Christian faith, or an ecumenical chivalric order such as the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (OSMTH/SMOTJ). Both trajectories require rigorous background screening, a formal petitioning process, and a commitment to philanthropic and chivalric service, replacing the medieval military duties with modern humanitarian aid and community support.

Initial Qualifications, Chivalric Paths, and Administrative Checklist

Before embarking on the process of becoming a modern Templar, you must identify which lineage aligns with your personal background, spiritual beliefs, and civic goals.

The original medieval Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon (the historical Knights Templar) was dissolved by Pope Clement V in 1312 via the papal bull Vox in excelso. Consequently, no direct, unbroken historical lineage exists today.

Modern organizations operate either as Fraternal Masonic bodies (possessing the exclusive ritual rights to the Masonic Knights Templar degrees) or as Sovereign Ecumenical Chivalric Orders dedicated to humanitarian efforts in the Middle East and worldwide.

Foundational Prerequisites and Gear Checklist

To initiate either pathway, prepare the following resources, documents, and administrative credentials:

• Masonic Path Prerequisites: Certificate of Good Standing as a Master Mason in a recognized Grand Lodge, completion of the Royal Arch Masonry degrees, and a declared willingness to defend the Christian faith.
• Ecumenical/Chivalric Path Prerequisites (OSMTH/SMOTJ): Active sponsorship by an existing Knight or Dame in good standing, proof of active Christian affiliation (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, or Anglican), and a verified record of community leadership or military service.
• Documentation Portfolio: Certified copy of government-issued identification, a comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV) detailing professional and philanthropic achievements, and two character reference letters from community leaders, clergy, or senior Freemasons.
• Standard Regalia and Chivalric Investment (Variable by Order): Modern Templars must acquire ceremonial uniform components, which typically include a white mantle (cloak) bearing the red cross patée, a ceremonial sword (unsharpened, used exclusively for ritual purposes), a chapeau or black beret with insignia, and official breast jewels/insignia of the Order.
• Estimated Budget and Duration: The Masonic path takes approximately one to three years of progressive degree work, with initiation fees and regalia costs ranging from $500 to $1,500. The ecumenical chivalric path requires a postulant phase of one year, with passage fees and initial charitable donations ranging from $400 to $1,000.

Step-by-Step Guide to Achieving Templar Knighthood

The process of becoming a Templar requires completing progressive stages of education, ritual reception, and public commitment. Below are the execution steps for both the Masonic and Ecumenical pathways.

Step 1: Establish Your Foundational Affiliation

To pursue the Masonic pathway, you must first become a Freemason. Locate a local Blue Lodge recognized by your jurisdiction’s Grand Lodge. Submit a petition, undergo an investigation committee review, and receive the three foundational degrees of Freemasonry: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. This initial phase typically requires six months to a year of study and examination.

If you choose the ecumenical, non-Masonic pathway (OSMTH/SMOTJ), research the national Grand Priory in your country. Attend public charitable events or educational symposiums hosted by the Priory to secure a sponsor among the existing Knights or Dames.

Step 2: Navigate the York Rite Preparatory Degrees (Masonic Route)

Once raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, you cannot petition the Commandery of Knights Templar directly. You must first join the York Rite of Freemasonry. This requires advancing through two preparatory bodies:

1. The Chapter of Royal Arch Masons: Receive the degrees of Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason. These degrees expand on the building of King Solomon's Temple.
2. The Council of Royal and Select Masons: Receive the Royal Master and Select Master degrees (and optionally the Super Excellent Master degree), which focus on the preservation of the sacred secrets of the Temple.

Pro-Tip: Some jurisdictions allow "One-Day Classes" or festivals where these preparatory degrees are conferred in an accelerated format. While efficient, pursuing these degrees through traditional, monthly stated meetings offers a vastly superior grasp of the esoteric symbolism required of a future Templar.

Step 3: Petition the Commandery of Knights Templar

With your York Rite credentials secured, submit a formal petition to a local Commandery of Knights Templar. The petition requires you to declare your belief in the Christian religion and your willingness to defend it.

Unlike other Masonic bodies that only require a belief in a Supreme Being of any faith, the Commandery is explicitly Christian in its ritual context and membership requirements. Your petition will be read at a stated conclave, a committee of inquiry will interview you, and a ballot will be cast by the members.

Step 4: Receive the Chivalric Orders of Masonry

Upon a favorable ballot, you will be scheduled to receive the three Orders that constitute the Commandery curriculum:

1. The Illustrious Order of the Red Cross: This order transitions the candidate from the Old Testament teachings of Masonry to the New Testament focus of the Commandery, emphasizing the power of truth.
2. The Order of Malta: Based on the historical Knights Hospitaller (the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem), this order focuses on Christian faith, charity, and the protection of pilgrims. You will receive the ritual secrets and the Mediterranean Pass.
3. The Order of the Temple: This is the pinnacle of the York Rite. In a solemn ceremony reflecting medieval knightly vigils, you will take the vows of a Knight Templar, receive the accolade of knighthood, and be invested with the spurs, sword, and mantle of the Order.

Warning: The Order of the Temple involves highly solemn obligations and a realistic reenactment of historical trials. Candidates should prepare mentally for a profound, quiet, and introspective ritual experience.

Step 5: Complete the Postulant Phase (Non-Masonic Ecumenical Route)

If you are pursuing the ecumenical path through the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (SMOTJ), your approved petition places you into the "Postulant" class. During this 12-month period, you must:

• Attend all Priory meetings, educational seminars, and church services.
• Contribute to the Priory’s charitable initiatives, particularly those supporting Christian communities in the Holy Land.
• Study the history of the medieval Crusades, the Latin Rule of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, and the modern constitution of the Order.
• Maintain an spotless civic record. Upon completion of your postulant year, the Priory Council will vote on your readiness for investiture.

Step 6: Chivalric Investiture and Accolade

For the ecumenical path, the culmination of your postulant phase is the formal Service of Investiture, typically held in a historic church or cathedral. Dressed in formal civilian attire (such as a tuxedo or military dress uniform), you will kneel before the Grand Prior.

The Grand Prior will touch your shoulders with the flat blade of a ceremonial sword in the traditional three-stroke accolade (in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit), drape the white Templar mantle over your shoulders, and present you with your neck insignia. From this moment, you are styled as a Knight (or Dame, for female members) of the Order.

Comparative Architecture of Modern and Historical Templar Lineages

Modern Templar groups vary significantly in their structural design, eligibility criteria, and core missions. The table below outlines the operational parameters of the primary modern avenues compared to the historical medieval order.

Operational Roadblocks and Petition Remediation

Navigating the pathways to modern Templar knighthood involves strict vetting. Below are common failures encountered during the application process and the precise remedies to resolve them.

Scenario 1: Rejection of Masonic Petition Due to Jurisdictional Discrepancy

• Root Cause: The candidate petitions a Commandery of Knights Templar while holding membership in an unrecognized or irregular "clandestine" Masonic lodge, rendering them ineligible for the York Rite degrees under regular Grand Lodge constitutions.
• Actionable Fix: Verify that your mother lodge is recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) or the Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America. If your lodge is irregular, you must petition a regular Blue Lodge, receive the three degrees again under a recognized charter, and then re-petition the York Rite.

Scenario 2: Inability to Declare the Mandatory Trinitarian Christian Faith

• Root Cause: A Master Mason who identifies as Deist, Jewish, Muslim, or Unitarian wishes to join the Commandery but cannot conscientiously swear to defend the Christian faith, which is a non-negotiable requirement of the Masonic Templar ritual.
• Actionable Fix: Divert your Masonic progression from the Commandery to the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR) or the Allied Masonic Degrees. These concordant bodies offer rich philosophical and historical instruction, including degrees focused on the Crusades, without requiring a Trinitarian Christian declaration.

Scenario 3: Lack of Local Sponsor for Ecumenical Chivalric Orders (OSMTH)

• Root Cause: A prospective member submits an online application to a national Grand Priory but is ignored or rejected because they lack a personal sponsor within the active knightly circle.
• Actionable Fix: Do not cold-email the Grand Priory demanding entry. Locate the regional "Commandery" or "Priory" of the OSMTH in your state. Register to attend their public lectures, church services, or charitable fundraising dinners. Introduce yourself to the Prior, express your alignment with their humanitarian mission, and volunteer for their local community service projects. A sponsorship will naturally develop through active, unselfish participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are modern Knights Templar directly descended from the medieval order?

No. There is no documented historical proof of an unbroken lineage from the medieval Order dissolved by Pope Clement V in 1312 to any modern organization. Modern groups represent a revival of the chivalric ideals, ethos, and symbols of the original Knights, operating as fraternal or charitable entities.

Can women join modern Templar organizations?

In the Masonic Knights Templar (York Rite), membership is restricted to men, as it requires the candidate to be a Master Mason. However, in the ecumenical, non-Masonic orders like the OSMTH or SMOTJ, women are admitted on equal terms as men and receive the title of Dame upon investiture.

Do modern Templar orders require vows of poverty and celibacy?

No. Unlike the medieval Knights who lived under the strict monastic Latin Rule of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, modern Templars do not take vows of poverty or celibacy. Members are encouraged to pursue professional careers, marry, and raise families while dedicating a portion of their time and resources to charity and civic service.

What is the difference between Masonic Templars and the OSMTH?

Masonic Templars operate as an appendant body of Freemasonry, requiring members to be Master Masons and focusing heavily on esoteric fraternal ritual, local charities, and internal brotherhood. The OSMTH (Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem) is an independent, non-Masonic, ecumenical Christian NGO recognized by the United Nations, focusing primarily on international humanitarian aid, human rights, and diplomacy.

Step Into the Chivalric Legacy

If you are ready to dedicate your life to the principles of modern chivalry, charity, and historical preservation, your journey begins with local engagement. Contact a recognized Masonic Lodge or your regional Grand Priory today to secure your sponsorship and begin the rigorous path to Templar knighthood.