What are the key teachings of the Holy Royal Arch?
The key teachings of the Holy Royal Arch include:
- Belief in the Supreme Being: The Royal Arch emphasizes the centrality of the Supreme Being, in whom all Masons have professed their belief, in every aspect of life without trespassing on ground properly reserved for religion.
- Historical and Symbolic Significance: The degree completes the Masonic narrative of King Solomon’s Temple, telling the story of how the loss suffered through the death of the principal architect was made good by the recovery of that which the Master Mason acknowledges as lost.
- Spiritual Quest and Reintegration: The Royal Arch focuses on the relationship with the Creator, containing much symbolism and aiming to rediscover the truth regarding the Most High.
- Completion of the Masonic Narrative: It completes the story of Craft Masonry, providing a full light of Ancient Craft Masonry and justly entitling one to claim the noble name of Master Mason.
- Esoteric Philosophy and Symbolism: The degree is highly esoteric, involving themes that exemplify much esoteric philosophy and symbolism, concerned with the process of reintegration with the Creator.
- Moral and Spiritual Growth: The Royal Arch Degree seeks to express a new and intensified life, raising the candidate to an exalted degree of consciousness.
These teachings collectively emphasize the spiritual and symbolic aspects of Freemasonry, aiming to deepen the understanding and reverence for the Supreme Being and the mysteries of life and death.