The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

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Floor plan of a Royal Arch Chapter
Royal Arch Opening
Chapter 7 - Rituals
The High Priest knocks once with his gavel, the officers assume their
stations, and the properly clothed companions take their seats. The Royal Arch
Captain closes the door and also goes to his station. Then, the High Priest asks
the Captain of the Host to verify whether all present are Royal Arch Masons -
this corresponds to the ceremony in Craft Masonry when it is verified whether
the lodge is "duly tiled." The phraseology is different here; Royal Arch Masons
say "the tabernacle is securely guarded." 1350 After the examinations and the
report that all present are entitled to be there, the High Priest asks the Captain of
the Host if the constitutional number is present to open a Chapter of Royal Arch
Masons. Since there are "three times three," the chapter can be opened, and the
Captain of the Host commands the Royal Arch Captain to see that the Sentinel -
who corresponds to the Outer Guard or Tiler of Craft Masonry - is at his post.
When the Sentinel is informed that the chapter is about to be opened, a questionand-answer
dialogue similar to the one in Craft Masonry follows.
1350 Cf. p. 114.