The Holy Royal Arch

In the book of constitutions which is given to every craft mason in the English Constitution there is a ‘preliminary declaration’ which reads as follows:- “by the solemn act of union between the two Grand Lodges of Freemasons of England in December 1813, it was ‘declared and pronounced that pure ancient masonry consists of three degrees and no more, viz: those of the entered apprentice, the fellow craft and the master mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch”.

This close association between the Craft and the Royal Arch is further reinforced in the Royal Arch ritual of the exaltation ceremony when the candidate is informed that he has not received a fourth degree but it is the completion of the third.

As the order is part of ‘pure ancient masonry’ it should not be viewed as an optional extra but rather as the only opportunity for a master mason to proceed to the completion of their basic Masonic knowledge.

The Holy Royal Arch is more commonly known as ‘Chapter’, for as Craft masons meet in a lodge, so Royal arch masons meet in a chapter and are known as companions.

Chapters are usually attached to a lodge and take it’s name and number. Members are distinguished by the jewel that they wear on the left breast, the colour of the ribbon varying in accordance with their rank.

(a)    Grand Officers and Provincial Grand Officers are coloured (dark blue, crimson and light blue)

(b)   Principals or Past Principals (crimson)

(c)    All other Companions (white)

The Chapter jewel is the only jewel, which is permitted to be worn together with Craft jewels in a Craft Lodge.

The language, symbolism and teachings of the ceremonies are both profound and beautiful and considerably enriches all that goes on in the craft. In the exaltation ceremony (or admission of a candidate) there is a different atmosphere from the craft.

The theme of the craft degrees is behaviour, the moral witness, the scientific basis, the code of life in the five points of fellowship, all illustrated from the actual temple building and it’s architecture.

It is in the Royal Arch that we come to the presence of God in the building, for to leave it at the craft ceremonies is to present just a building, it needs the Chapter to fill it with spirit and meaning.

Plainly every master mason of four weeks standing and upwards should be encouraged to go further to discover for himself the happiness and companionship of this supreme order. There is no need to wait for an invitation; it is his right to apply for membership.

The Holy Royal Arch Province of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire is administered from Freemasons’ Hall, Northampton and is under the authority of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England, Great Queen Street, London WC2b 5AZ.