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Great Priory
The Great Priory of the United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders
of the Temple and of St. John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta
of Greece and its Provinces Overseas
List Of Contents!
List Of Contents!
The Order of the Temple
The Order of the Temple
The Order of the Knights of the Temple was founded in 1119 AD, after the First Crusade, in a time marked by conflict but also great expectations for the Christian world. It began with a small group of nine determined knights, led by Hugh de Payens, who took on the task of protecting pilgrims in the Holy Land.
The King of Jerusalem, Baldwin II, granted them quarters near the Temple of Solomon, a place of strong symbolism. From this location came the name of the Order, early on linking its mission with the ideas of duty and sacred purpose.
Their goal was not only military protection. It was something deeper, rooted in service and self-sacrifice. The Knights of the Temple chose a way of life defined by discipline, humility, and steadfast faith, while still bearing the sword to defend those who could not protect themselves.
This unique combination of monk and warrior made the Order a symbol of courage, devotion, and spiritual mission, earning it prestige and influence across Europe over time.
The Order of Saint John of Jerusalem
The Order of Saint John of Jerusalem
The Hospitaller Knights, also known as the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, were founded in the 11th century in Jerusalem, shortly before the First Crusade. Initially, their role was purely charitable: they managed a hospital that cared for pilgrims in the Holy Land, regardless of origin or religion.
After the capture of Jerusalem by the Crusaders, the order evolved into a military-religious organization. In addition to caring for the sick, it also took on the protection of Christian territories and pilgrims. With the fall of the Crusader states, the Knights first moved to Cyprus and later to Rhodes (1309), where they established a powerful naval state and resisted attacks, mainly from the Ottoman Empire.
In 1522, after a siege, they were expelled from Rhodes, and in 1530, after a brief stay in Crete, they settled in Malta, which was granted to them by Charles V. There, they became known as the Knights of Malta and played a decisive role in the Great Siege of Malta, repelling Ottoman forces.
Over the centuries, the military character of the order declined, and it refocused on humanitarian work. Today, the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem and Malta continues to operate internationally as a humanitarian organization, providing medical aid and social support in many countries.
The Masonic Order of the Temple
The Masonic Order of the Temple
The Masonic Order of the Temple emerged many centuries after the fall of the historical Knights Templar, within the framework of the Freemasonry tradition. It is not a historical continuation of the medieval Order, but rather a symbolic and spiritual reference to its ideals.
Its aim is to keep alive values such as honor, faith, devotion, and service to humanity, expressed through symbolism, ritual, and inner development. It expresses the idea of a knight guided by principles, someone who strives not with weapons, but with character, knowledge, and action.
The Great Priory of Greece
The Great Priory of Greece
The Grand Priory of Greece constitutes the official body of the United Religious, Military, and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Cyprus, Rhodes, Crete, and Malta.
A Short History
A Short History
On March 12, 13, and 14, 1976, the York Rite was established in Greece. Eleven Companions and Knights from Germany arrived in Athens under the leadership of William E. Kaloudis, in his dual capacity as Grand High Priest of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Germany and as Commander of Heidelberg Commandery No. 2 under the Grand Encampment of the United States of America. They installed 21 Master Masons as Knights Templar, after first conferring upon them all the other necessary degrees. All three bodies (the Chapter, the Council, and the Commandery) flourished and rapidly increased their membership.
On October 17, 1976, a provisional Warrant was granted to the Commandery “Digenis Akritas,” which received its permanent Warrant in 1977 from the Grand Encampment of the United States. The Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Greece was consecrated as a Sovereign and Independent body on November 25, 1977. The Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Greece received its Warrant on July 26, 1978, and was formally constituted the following November. Greek Masons were fortunate to have these first two Grand Bodies as Sovereign, Autonomous, and Independent; however, the same did not initially apply to the Order of the Temple.
The Triennial Synod of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States took place in Indianapolis in 1980. By then, three Commanderies existed in Greece, which applied for Warrant to become, as one body, Sovereign and Independent, an effort that was ultimately unsuccessful. During the Synod, Greece was instead offered the option to be established as a Grand Commandery, equivalent to a provincial or regional Grand Encampment. After extensive discussion by the Greek delegation led by William E. Kaloudis, the proposal was declined.
Shortly thereafter, William E. Kaloudis met with the Grand Master of the Great Priory of Scotland, David Ian Liddle-Grainger, in Edinburgh. It was agreed that all Greek Knights Templar would come under the authority of the Geat Priory of Scotland, on the condition that they would be established as a Sovereign and Independent Order. A few weeks later, the three appointed Eminent Preceptors of “Digenis Akritas” No. 1, William E. Kaloudis; “Constantine Palaiologos” No. 2, Stephanos Paipetis; and “Dionysios Areopagites” No. 3, Efstathios Liakopoulos, visited Edinburgh and were installed in the autumn of 1980.
Following his appointment as Provincial Grand Master of the then Provincial Great Priory of Greece on March 17, 1981, William E. Kaloudis submitted a request for a Charter to establish an Independent and Sovereign Great Priory.
The request was approved at the next quarterly Great Assembly, and the date of Constitution was set for November 28, 1981, when the Installation Ceremony took place. The Installing Officer was David Ian Liddle-Grainger, assisted by the then Grand Constable, Robert McIntyre, later Grand Master.
The first Grand Master of the Grand Priory of Greece was William Eumenes Kaloudis, G.C.T.
The three founding Commanderies of the Grand Priory of Greece were “Digenis Akritas” No. 1, “Constantine Palaiologos” No. 2, and “Dionysios Areopagites” No. 3, whose founding Warrants are preserved on the first floor of the Masonic building on Eressou Street.
Grand Masters
1981 – 2014: William E. Kaloudis
2014 – 2025: Andreas V. Spyropoulos
2025 – Present: Konstantinos P. Kalogerakos
Message of the Grand Master, Konstantinos Kalogerakos, GCT
Message of the Grand Master, Konstantinos Kalogerakos, GCT
From our very first steps upon the Masonic path, it becomes evident that the relationship between the Order of the Temple and the inner Masonic tradition is not incidental. It arises from a shared spiritual quest for the Eternal and the True.
Both traditions guide us through mysteries whose purpose is not to conceal, but to progressively reveal the deeper meaning of human existence. It is an inner journey of transformation, wherein man, as the rough ashlar, is called, through silence, trials, and knowledge, to approach the Light and harmonize with the Great Design of Life.
Even before standing at the threshold of the Masonic Lodge, most of us had already formed an image of the Order of the Temple through narratives, historical references, and outward descriptions. Yet such knowledge pertains mainly to appearances and not to essence.
The true inner journey, the mysteries and trials that accompany the Knight of the Temple, remain unseen, for they are not revealed through intellect alone but are experienced through initiation. Thus, the moment we stand before the threshold of the Order does not signify a new beginning, but rather the completion of a long Masonic journey. It is the point at which the Mason, having labored consciously upon himself, has attained the necessary initiatic maturity to enter into the deeper meaning of Knighthood and Sacrifice.
The Masonic path has been a school of symbols and inner understanding. Through allegories and ritual acts, we have learned not to remain at the level of the obvious, but to seek the essential truth hidden behind appearances. Each symbol has served as a bridge toward a deeper awareness of ourselves and our place within the Order of the Universe.
In the degree of Knight of the Temple, however, Truth no longer remains within symbols.
It is embodied.
It is expressed in one’s way of life, in one’s attitude toward oneself, toward one’s fellow man, and toward Duty. Initiation becomes action, the Word becomes lived experience, and the teaching becomes a daily exercise of ethos, faith, and sacrifice. The Knight is called not only to know the Light, but to bring it into the world through his example.
From this path emerges a value that encompasses all:
Honor.
Not as an abstract idea, but as a mode of being, as an inner accord between man and his conscience. Honor is no longer a goal; it is the foundation stone.
As Knights Templar, we do not labor solely upon our personal ashlar, but learn to transform it into a bridge of service. For true honor is found not in what we keep for ourselves, but in what we offer to others.
Perceptories Under the Great Priory of Greece
Perceptories Under the Great Priory of Greece
Digenis Akritas No 1 – Athens
Konstantinos Palaiologos No 2 – Athens
Dionisios Areopagitis No 3 – Piraeus
Saint George No 4 – Athens
Pammegistos Michael No 8 – Piraeus
Archipelagos Aigiidos No 9 – Piraeus
Saint Dimitrios No 10 – Thessaloniki
Dodeka Apostoloi No 12 – Athens
Saint John The Baptist No 13 – Zakynthos
Agios Ioannis Kalivitis No 15 – Athens
Jacques De Molay No 16 – Athens
St. Michael & George No 17 – Corfu
Panagia Filerimos No 18 – Rhodes
Filippos B’ The Macedonian No 19 – Kavala
Simon The Cyrenian No 20 – Piraeus
King Pyrros No 21 – Ioannina
Godefroy De Bouillon No 22 – Piraeus
Hugues De Payens No 23 – Thessaloniki
List of Priories & bodies under mutual recognition status with the Great Priory of Greece
List of Priories & bodies under mutual recognition status with the Great Priory of Greece
Great Priory of Scotland 1981
Große Landesloge der Freimaurer von Deutschland 1982
Great Priory of Germany 1982
The Norwegian Order of Freemasons – Grand Lodge of Norway 1982
The Icelandic Order of Freemasons - Grand Lodge of Iceland 1982
The Danish Order of Freemasons - Grand Lodge of Denmark 1982
Great Priory of England and Wales and its Provinces Overseas 1983
The Swedish Order of Freemasons - Grand Lodge of Sweden 1983
Grand Prieure Indépendant D’Helvétie 1984
United Great Priory of New Zealand 1985
Great Priory of New South Wales & ACT 1988
Great Priory of Belgium 1988
Great Priory of Western Australia 1988
Great Priory of Queensland 1989
Great Priory of Victoria 1990
Great Priory of Spain 1994
Great Priory of Ireland 1995
Great Priory of South Australia 1995
Grand Prieure du Togo 1999
Great Priory of Finland 2001
Grand Prieure Rectifie de France 2004
Great Priory of Italy 2011
Great Priory of the Netherlands 2015
Great Priory of Benin 2015
Great Priory of Peru 2015
Great Priory of Knights Templar for France 2016
Great Priory of Brazil 2016
The Order of the Knights Freemasons of Romania 2017
Latvian Order of Freemasons 2019
Souveränes Großpriorat von Österreich 2022
Great Priory of the United Orders for the Congo 2022
Grande Priorado Independente da Lusitania (C.B.C.S.)
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