WHAT IS THE YORK RITE?

   The York Rite consists of the Symbolic Lodge, which is of York origin; the
Chapter of Royal Arch Masons; the Council of Cryptic Masons; and
the Commandery of Knights Temple.

The Lodge teaches of the LOST WORD, the Chapter teaches of the DISCOVERY
of the WORD, the Council teaches of the PRESERVATION of the
WORD, and the COMMANDERY binds the Christian virtues of their
promise of immortality in the expanding story, thus rounding out the STORY
of the WORD.

 It is also said that the Lodge symbolically deals with the material side of life. The
Chapter and particularly the Royal Arch Degree, deals with the spiritual side of
life. The Council deals with the philosophy of life and death, and the
Commandery adds the Christain interpretation to the symbols of Ancient Craft
Masonry.

The York Rite of Freemasonry as practiced in Illinois, consists of four degrees of
Capitular Masonry, conferred in a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons; three degrees of
Cryptic Masonry, conferred in a Council of Cryptic Masons; and three Orders of
Chivalric Masonry, conferred in a Commandery of Knights Templar. Minor
differences in structure may occur in jurisdictions outside of Illinois.
Regardless of the specific form, the degree work is dignified, impressive and
inspirational, and is designed to reinforce and expand upon the moral precepts
taught in the three degrees of the Symbolic Lodge.

 The York Rite is a neighborhood-type of Masonry. As York Rite Bodies are housed in local Masonic
Temples, these bodies help to support our Temples with rental payments for the
meetings of the Symbolic Lodge, the Order of DeMolay, the International Order of
Jobs' Daughters, Order of Rainbow for girls, Knight Masons, York Rite College as
well as many other Masonic orders.

 Degrees are typically conferred at the local Chapter, Council or Commandery over the course
of several weeks or months. Degrees may also be conferred at a "festival",
where in the candidate is a member of a class which witnesses the various degrees
as they are performed, typically all in one day. While this manner may be
preferred by some whose schedules do not allow sufficient time to receive the
degrees in a "normal" fashion, most recommend individual participation to
provide for a much richer experience, and the chance to meet and greet the other
members of the local bodies and thereby establish friendships and share common
experiences.

 

 

 

Kankakee Chapter #78

Royal Arch Masons

High Priest

Chris Toth

King

Eric Sieruga

Scribe

Adam Hazelett

Treasurer

Charles Nowak II

Secretary

John Vic McMillen

Owisco Cryptic Council #108

Royal and Select Masters

Thrice Illustrious Master

Adam Hazelett

Illutrious Deputy Master

Charles M. Harper Sr.

Principal Conductor of the Work

Eric Sieruga

Treasurer

Charles Nowak II

Secretary

John Vic McMillen 

Ivanhoe Commandery #33

Knights Templar

Emminent Commander

Eric Sieruga

Generalissimo

Ray Houser

Captain General

Adam Hazelett

Senior Warden

Wayne Nesbaum

Junior Warden

Charles M. Harper Sr.