Commanderies and Oratories
The local bodies of the Order, where the work is done.
The Order lives in its local bodies. The Grand Council governs, the Chancery corresponds and the Library preserves, but it is in the Commanderies and Oratories that Postulants are prepared, degrees conferred, Chapters held and the works of service undertaken. A member belongs first to a body and only through it to the Order. The bodies are of two kinds, together with a Correspondence Circle for those who live beyond the reach of either.
Commanderies
A Commandery is a full working body of the Order, chartered by the Grand Council, with not fewer than nine members of the Third Degree. It is empowered to receive Postulants and to confer the three degrees of the Outer Court. It meets in Chapter ordinarily once a month, holds open meetings for enquirers at intervals, and keeps the Vigil of Arms for its Squires. Each Commandery is led by a Commander elected for three years, assisted by a Prior who has charge of the spiritual life of the body, a Preceptor who has charge of instruction, and a Chancellor who has charge of its records and correspondence.
Oratories
An Oratory is a smaller body of not fewer than three members, meeting for study and contemplative practice under the sponsorship of a Commandery. An Oratory may receive Postulants and prepare Pages, but its members travel to the sponsoring Commandery for initiation. An Oratory that reaches the required strength and shows stability over not less than three years may petition for a charter as a Commandery, as the Silver Thorn did in 1994 and the Hidden Spring in 2002.
The Correspondence Circle
Members who live at a distance from any body may, in exceptional cases, be admitted to the Correspondence Circle, administered directly by the Warden of Studies. Members of the Circle pursue the course of study by post, keep the rule of practice alone, and travel to Harrowmere or to the nearest Commandery for initiation and for the Annual Convocation. The Order regards the Circle as a provision for necessity rather than convenience, and encourages its members to form Oratories wherever three can gather.
Where We Meet
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Commandery
The Commandery of the Rose and Cup
Harrowmere. Chartered 1987.
The mother Commandery of the Order, meeting at Harrowmere House. Seat of the Grand Council and the Library. Open meetings on the first Thursday of each month.
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Commandery
The Commandery of the Silver Thorn
Northwold. Oratory 1987, chartered 1994.
The second Commandery of the Order, meeting in rooms above the old corn exchange. Open meetings on the second Tuesday of each month.
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Commandery
The Commandery of the Hidden Spring
Port Elowen. Oratory 1996, chartered 2002.
Meeting in a converted chapel near the harbour. Known for its work among seafarers and their families. Open meetings on the third Wednesday of each month.
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Commandery
The Commandery of the Lantern
Vellacourt. Oratory 2005, chartered 2011.
Meeting at the Lantern House. Keeps the Vigil of Midsummer for the whole Order. Open meetings on the last Monday of each month.
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Commandery
The Commandery of the Seven Pillars
Kingsreach. Oratory 2012, chartered 2018.
The youngest Commandery of the Order, meeting in the city. Active in the teaching of the First Degree. Open meetings on the first Saturday of each month.
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Oratory
The Oratory of the Evening Star
Saltmarsh. Chartered 2019. Sponsored by the Hidden Spring.
A small body meeting fortnightly for study and practice. Enquirers welcome by arrangement with the sponsoring Commandery.
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Oratory
The Oratory of the Quiet Well
Ashgrove. Chartered 2023. Sponsored by the Lantern.
Meeting fortnightly in a members' home. Enquirers welcome by arrangement with the sponsoring Commandery.
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Oratory
The Oratory of the Lamp
Caer Wyvern. Chartered 2026. Sponsored by the Rose and Cup.
The newest body of the Order and the first in the western hills. Meeting monthly. Enquirers welcome by arrangement with the sponsoring Commandery.
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Circle
The Correspondence Circle
Administered from Harrowmere. Established 1999.
For members living at a distance from any body of the Order. Admission in exceptional cases only, on application to the Warden of Studies through the Chancery.
Enquirers wishing to attend an open meeting should write first to the Chancery, which will put them in touch with the body nearest to them. The Order does not publish the addresses of its meeting places.