July 10, 2001

General Order No. 11

 To: Officers and Sir Knights of the Grand Commandery and Constituent Commanderies of the State of Maine 

Subject: Cryptic Degrees 

As of this date, July 10, 2001, I Ernest W. Smallidge, Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Maine, declare that the legislation passed on May 1, 2000 during the Grand Commandery Conclave, making the Cryptic Degrees a requirement for taking the Templar Orders, IS STILL IN EFFECT.  

The motion accepted at that time by the Grand Commandery of Maine reads as follows: “That all Royal Arch Masons who wish to join Commandery after the Grand Session of the year 2000 shall be required to have taken all three degrees of Cryptic Rite Masonry, commonly known as the Council, as well as all of the other necessary preceding degrees of Freemasonry, before they can take the Orders of the Commandery.” (note: this includes the Super Excellent Degree). This General Order is being issued in response to a decision from the Grand Encampment of the USA. Grand Encampment acknowledges that although this motion goes beyond the Grand Encampment requirements, the Sir Knights of Maine enacted this ruling.  

Note:  This General Order was reaffirmed at the 2002 Grand Session.

Ernest W. Smallidge R.E.G.C.

ATTEST:

Gordon E. ReynoldsGrand Recorder