KNIGHT TEMPLAR CLOSING CEREMONIES
(The business of the Commandery having been completed, the Commandery will be closed as follows:)
COMMANDER:
SIR KNIGHT CAPTAIN GENERAL, (Captain General rises, draws sword, executes right face and salutes Commander with sword who returns hand salute) I AM ABOUT TO CLOSE THIS COMMANDERY. SEE THAT THE SENTINEL IS INFORMED, AND THAT HE GUARD ACCORDINGLY.
CAPTAIN GENERAL:
(Captain General executes left face, and says:) SIR KNIGHT WARDER, (Warder rises, executes draw swords, and salutes exchanged) INFORM THE SENTINEL THAT THE COMMANDER IS ABOUT TO CLOSE THIS COMMANDERY, AND DIRECT HIM TO GUARD ACCORDINGLY.
WARDER:
(The Warder retires to ante-room, closes door and says:) SIR KNIGHT SENTINEL, (Sword salutes exchanged) THE COMMANDER IS ABOUT TO CLOSE THIS COMMANDERY AND YOU ARE DIRECTED TO GUARD ACCORDINGLY. (Warder returns to asylum, executes about face, closes the door and gives the battery:)
* * * * * * * * * *
SENTINEL:
* * * * * * * * * * (Done.)
WARDER:
(Warder executes about face, returns to his station and reports:) SIR KNIGHT CAPTAIN GENERAL, (Salutes exchanged) THE SENTINEL IS INFORMED. (Warder returns sword, and is seated without command.)
Revised - 04/01/97 Knight Templar - Closing Ceremony - Page 1
CAPTAIN GENERAL:
(Captain General executes right face and reports:) EMINENT COMMANDER, (Captain General executes salute swords, Commander returns hand salute) YOUR ORDER HAS BEEN OBEYED. (Captain General executes left face, returns sword, and is seated.)
COMMANDER:
(Commander rises and takes one [1] full step forward, and orders:) COMMANDERY, ATTENTION. (Done.) UNCOVER. (Commander turns head toward Prelate for the purpose of addressing him.) EXCELLENT PRELATE, (Prelate bows and this bow is returned in kind by the Commander.) LEAD OUR DEVOTIONS.
PRELATE:
(Offers prayer.)
COMMANDER:
SIR KNIGHTS, RECOVER. (Commander recovers with Knights. Commander executes draw swords then takes position of cross swords and makes declaration:) I NOW DECLARE (Giving name of Commandery:) ______COMMANDERY, NO. _____, DULY CLOSED. (Commander resumes carry swords and orders:) SIR KNIGHT WARDER, (The Warder executes draw swords, salutes exchanged) INFORM THE SENTINEL.
WARDER:
(Warder marches to door and opens door. Warder does not retire from the Asylum.) SIR KNIGHT SENTINEL, (Salutes exchanged) THE COMMANDERY IS CLOSED. (Warder leaves door open, executes about face and returns to his station.) EMINENT COMMANDER, (Sword salutes exchanged) THE SENTINEL IS INFORMED. (The Commander, Warder and Sentinel return swords together without command.)
COMMANDER:
SIR KNIGHTS, YOU ARE DISMISSED.
Revised - 04/01/97 Knight Templar - Closing Ceremony - Page 2