The United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta in England and Wales and Provinces Overseas

Province of Kent
2nd Anniversary of the Knight Templar Compline Prayer service

During the latter part of 2020 Kt John Oakshott Provincial Chamberlain, was featuring the original Templar’s Code in his daily historical journal on Kent Knights Templar Face Book page. One of the rules in that ancient code referred to the Office of Compline. Compline was the last religious service of the day, after which the Knights would go their quarters and sleep.

In 2020 the world was gripped by the Coronavirus Pandemic. All masonic activity had ceased. E.Kt Murdo-Smith posted a series of enquiries as to whether it would be possible to resurrect the practice of Knight Templars attending some form of remote Compline. Against what seemed like hopeless odds he persisted and then Reverend Kt Les Fraser Provincial Almoner stepped up, set up Compline on Zoom and hosted the Office of Compline on the last Sunday in January 2021. The service which lasts for approximately 12 minutes follows the Cistercian Monastery Model.

The service proved popular and Les offered to repeat it on Sundays at 7pm fortnightly and he has continued to honour that promise ever since. Proving that good news travels far and wide, whilst Compline on Zoom was originally set up for Knights of the Provincial Priory of Kent, soon Knights from across the UK were attending followed by Knights in Cyprus and Jordan.

To mark the first year anniversary the congregation sourced a set of four priests stoles and had specially embroidered panels sewn onto each. These were presented to Les at an official event in April 2022 by Right Eminent Knight David Jordan Provincial Prior of Kent. Our Great Prelate Rt Eminent Kt Reverend Fr Malcolm CG Lane JP KTC assisted in the wording of those embroidered panels. After that, whenever Les has conducted the Office of Compline on Zoom he has worn the appropriate embroidered stole.

To mark the second anniversary which was held on Sunday 29th January 2023, the Great Prelate was present (on-line) he thanked Les for his commitment to the Spiritual needs of Knights through the ministry of his Compline on Zoom services and additionally the Templars Prayer Group which was also set up by Les on Face Book Messenger. Also present amongst the twenty five members of the congregation were Right Eminent Knight Colin Dann Provincial Prior of Sussex and Eminent Knight Dennis Dean Vice Chancellor of the Provincial Priory of Kent.

Great Prelate Malcolm Lane also presented Les with piece of cut glass, a whisky tumbler in the shape of a Thistle, which was purchased by the Congregation of Compline on Zoom and Templars Prayer Group who additionally gave a donation to St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group of £100.

If you would like to attend Compline on Zoom the next one will be at 7pm on 26th February 2023 the link is as follows: Join Zoom Meeting - https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8172345704.

Meeting ID: 817 234 5704
Passcode: 1eAacY

If you or a person who you know or know of is in need of spiritual support please contact The Reverend Les Fraser via: les.fraser1@gmail.com.

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