About The Order
The Order of Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests and its associated Order of Holy Wisdom have a history dating back to the ceremonies of The High Knights Templar in Ireland in 1755. The basic unit of the Order is known as a "Tabernacle".
It is a Christian Order with meaningful and inspiring ceremonies. The ceremony of the Order of Holy Wisdom is particularly beautiful. To join, you need to be a subscribing member of a Preceptory or Commandery of Knights Templar within a Great Priory recognised by the Great Priory of England and Wales.
The Order is governed by the Grand College, based in the city of York, England and the Grand High Priest is Most Illustrious Knight Priest Christopher G Maiden GCPO. This grand body has been in existence for over 100 years, the foundation taking place in Newcastle in 1924. Over the past century the Grand College has steadily grown and now has over 270 active Tabernacles with about 5000 members worldwide. Two other “sister” Grand Colleges are in existence in the USA and France.
The Tabernacle
The St Publius Tabernacle No 298 was founded in Malta in 2018 by the Grand High Priest, Most Illustrious Knight Priest Christopher Gavin Maiden. The progress of the Tabernacle was soon to be interrupted by the pandemic and meetings were suspended for a period of almost two years. However the Tabernacle has recovered well and has recently experienced substantial growth in membership. It meets on the first Saturday of May and October each year.
Who was St Publius?
Saint Publius was a first century Maltese Saint. He is venerated as the first Bishop of Malta and is Malta’s first acknowledged saint, the Prince of the Island. According to Maltese Pauline Mythology, Publius’ conversion led to Malta being the first Christian nation in the West. His feast day is celebrated by both the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches, although their related traditions and day of celebration differ.
Statue of St Publius, Floriana, Malta