Who Are We?
The
Knights Templar
is a Christian-oriented fraternal organization that is based on the
history and
mythos surrounding the medieval crusading
order of warrior monks, known as the Knights Templar, which existed
from the 12th to the 14th century. Originally, the Knights Templar
were laymen who protected and defended Christians traveling to
Jerusalem. These men took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and
were renowned for their fierceness and courage in battle.
Today, the Knights Templar display their courage
and goodwill in other ways. They organize fund-raising activities
such as breakfasts, dinners, dances, and flea markets. They support
Masonic-related youth groups and they raise millions of dollars
for medical research and educational assistance.
Currently, Templar membership consists of people
from all walks of life, including doctors, lawyers, clergy, businessmen
and entertainment personalities, all of whom profess a belief
in the Christian Religion.
The Knights Templar operate on a local, state and
national level. But their religious activities extend across international
borders as well. Nationally, there is The
Grand Encampment of Knights Templar. This unit defines
the rituals and laws governing state and local level organizations.
The state level is called A Grand Commandery of
Knights Templar. This organization represents members of a state
or an area of equivalent size.
Finally, the local level unit is called a Commandery
of Knights Templar. There are almost 1,600 Commanderies in communities
across the United States, Germany, Italy and Mexico, with over
260,000 members. California Grand Commandery is made up of 50
constituent Commanderies, with a total membership of approximately
6,000.