The Holy Royal Arch of Jerusalem is much more than the completion of the Third Degree. The Supreme Degree of the Holy Royal Arch is the natural progression in Freemasonry that provides ‘Genuine Secrets’ instead of the substitutes granted in the Third Degree.

When one is finally raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason, one is told that the Genuine Secrets had been lost and that it was necessary to wait until time and circumstances restored the genuine secrets.

In the Supreme Degree of the Holy Royal Arch, the lessons on life and death taught in the three Degrees of Masonry will be complete.

Because it completes the Masonic quest and imparts greater knowledge and wisdom, the Holy Royal Arch has rightly been called the cornerstone of the entire Masonic structure.

An integral part of Pure and Ancient Masonry, the Degree of the Royal Arch is mentioned in the Articles of Union in the formation of the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England in 1813. Article II proclaims, declares and pronounces that Pure Ancient Masonry consists of three degrees, and no more, namely those of Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch.