Knights Templar
Trinity Commandery No. 8 is one of 14 Commanderies in Louisiana. Trinity Commandery calls Alexandria, LA home.
Templar Masonry is also devoted to the Word. That is to say that in Templar Masonry one is required to profess a belief in the Christian religion. The orders are founded in the chivalric orders of the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon. Although membership in this Order is reserved for Christian Masons it should not be seen as a barrier to entry into local Chapters or Councils.
The Commandery confers Orders, not Degrees. The orders represent a new line of Masonic thought and experience, in that they no longer refer to Ancient Craft Masonry, but to ideals and practices of ancient chivalry and Christianity. The first Commandery order, The Order of The Red Cross, presents the story of the Jewish Prince, Zerubbabel, and his efforts to secure the permission of the Persian King Darius to rebuild King Soloman’s Temple. The next order, the Knight of Malta, is a departure from Masonry based on the Old Testament and is the first distinctly Christian Order. Here, the candidate represents a knightly warrior of the Crusades and is preparing for a trip to the Holy Land. The last order is that of Order of The Temple or Knight Templar, the crowning glory of York Rite Masonry. Again, in this totally Christian Order, the candidate represents a knightly warrior who desires to unite with a Commandery of Knights Templar during the era of the Crusades. After several trials to test his faith, courage, and humility, he is rewarded with his utmost desires.
Philanthropy
Knights Templar Eye Foundation
The Knights Templar Eye Foundation, incorporated in 1956, is a charity sponsored by the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar.
On December 31, 2010, the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc., shifted the Foundation's focus and adopted a new mission statement "to improve vision through research, education, and supporting access to care." The Foundation participates in direct patient care through the Seniors Eye Care Program in partnership with EyeCare America and the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Our research dollars have helped develop new, nonsurgical, treatments for strabismus (crossed eyes) and ophthalmologists have told us that our efforts in funding pediatric ophthalmology research have been the primary reason that there are fewer and fewer surgeries for strabismus.
Since its inception, the Foundation has expended over $156 million on research, patient care, and education. Research grants totaling in excess of $28 million have been awarded to researchers working in the fields of pediatric ophthalmology and ophthalmic genetics.
Holy Land Pilgrimage for Christian Ministers
In this program, the various State Commanderies of Knights Templar in Louisiana sponsor Christian Ministers on an expenses-paid study pilgrimage in Israel for 11 days. We do not solicit applications. Local ministers are invited by individual Commanderies of Knights Templar to consider the possibility and a nomination form is submitted. Each state has its own process for selection. This is a fully packed itinerary and a physically aggressive program that involves 5 -7 miles of walking many days, often uphill or up steps and on uneven surfaces.
The KNIGHTS TEMPLAR HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE for Christian Ministers takes place in February of each year. As it is a working pilgrimage this is a ministers-only pilgrimage that is intended to enrich their lives and ministry for the benefit of their flock.
Save your reading time for devotions and your bible...
Watch this video to learn more about Templar from the Sir Knights in Michigan.