Chapter Officers
In addition to the three Principals, who rule conjointly, a Holy Royal Arch Chapter has elected and appointed officers with individual responsibilities within the Chapter. Similar offices exist at the Supreme Grand Chapter (national) level, and also at the intermediate level (Metropolitan, Provincial, or District), with appropriate prefixes to the titles.
- Zerubbabel - Prince of Jerusalem
- Haggai - the Prophet
- Joshua or Jeshua - the High Priest
- Scribe Ezra
- Scribe Nehemiah
- Treasurer
- Director of Ceremonies
- Principal Sojourner
- 1st Assistant Sojourner
- 2nd Assistant Sojourner
- Assistant Director of Ceremonies
- Organist
- Steward (there may be several Stewards)
- Janitor
All of these offices are listed in, and regulated by, the constitutions or regulations of the various national Grand Chapters, including those of the 'mother' Grand Chapter, the Supreme Grand Chapter of England. Within the 'York Rite' version of Royal Arch Freemasonry the Janitor may be known as the Tyler or Sentinel.
In Ireland, in 1864, the founding legend of the Royal Arch became based on the renovation of the First Temple under King Josiah. The three principals are now the Excellent King, High Priest and Chief Scribe. The Sojourners and Scribes were replaced by the Royal Arch Captain, the Captain of the Scarlet Veil, the Captain of the Purple Veil and the Captain of the Blue Veil. Although not referred to as such in the ritual, the three principals are taken to be King Josiah, the High Priest Hilkiah and the scribe Shaphan.
Read more about this topic: Holy Royal Arch
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