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Minimum Thirty Years of Age for Full Accolade;
- Serving Brothers and Sisters, Age 18-29;
- Men and Women Both Accepted
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The Order is open by invitation only to baptized Christian men
and women after the completion of conditional acceptance, with Postulancy
following. The Statutes of OPCCTS provide that the absolute minimum age for
entry as a fully-Accoladed Knight or Dame is Thirty (30) years of age. However,
we offer the non-Accoladed Serving Brother/Sister positions for ages 18 to 29,
with the exception of special cases as determined by the Order's
Administration. We believe the age of 30 is a more realistic age for entry, as
that age or older lends itself more toward the mature acceptance of the
responsibilities of Knighthood or Damehood.
Admission Policies
As a chavalric/religious order, OPCCTS does not typically admit persons who are already invested in another Chivalric Order. Just as in ancient times, it was not believed that someone can swear fealty to two Kings, two nations, etc., one cannot swear fealty to two orders of Chivalry. If you feel that we should make an exception to that practice, please explain with your application. In addition, OPCCTS does not recognize titles of nobility that are conferred by non-legitimate sources (other than bestowed by recognized monarchs or inherited from legitimate famillial nobility). We also do not recognize any honorary or other degrees conferred by non-accredited institutions of higher learning. The basis for approach to the order is humility, service to God, and charity.
Expressed Christian Religious Beliefs
This Order of Chivalry was originally founded as a Christian
Religious Order of Monastic / Militarism under the ancient Roman Catholic
Church during the time of the Crusades in the Holy Land. Today the Order is
ecumenical in structure; it is a combined Christian religious and secular
Order, yet it does not require membership in the Roman Catholic or any other
Christian-denomination church. It is also not a church or "religious
movement." It simply requires that its members are baptized, professed
Christians, accepting the teachings of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and
Spiritual Master.
The Order occasionally recognizes and honors persons who may be of other
religious beliefs. However, no expressed nor professed non-Christian may be
admitted to full regular membership within the Order.
The Order seeks and expects the highest of character from its membership: good
moral character, preferrably civically-active in their community, and / or
active in charitable / philanthropic endeavors. Persons convicted of crimes or
of questionable moral character may not be admitted to nor condoned within the
Order.
Application and Curriculum Vitae
To be considered for membership, you must complete a rigorous four step application process:
Step 1, The Applicant Curriculum Vitae must be completed. Please download the Applicant CV HERE. No request for membership will be entertained via email.
Step 2, Once the application is complete, mail it to: OPCCTS - Great Preceptory, P.O. Box 381, Deadwood, SD 57732-0381.
Step 3, A complete background investigation will be conducted on all applicants, therefore, a processing fee of $25 will be required of each applicant. We have the highest
standards for ethics and morality. Therefore, not everyone who applies is
invited to join. You may pay the application fee via Paypal or a check made payable to OPCCTS accompanying the application.
Passage Fees / Dues
There is an initial passage fee for entry into the Order of
Seven-Hundred Dollars for an individual (Six-Hundred Dollars for an individual
ordained Cleric), or the reduced fee of Thirteen Hundred Dollars for the
combined inclusion of a spouse (Eleven Hundred Dollars for a married ordained
Cleric and spouse together). The Order includes many married couples, and
heartily encourages spousal participation. The passage fee includes a Templar
Mantle, Templar Cross, Certificate of Membership, and Membership Identification
Card.
Yearly dues to the Order are Sixty Dollars for an individual (Forty-Five
Dollars for an ordained Cleric), or One Hundred Dollars per married couple
(Eighty Dollars for a married ordained Cleric family). Annual Membership Dues
are used, in portion, for a periodic newsletter and an annual stipend for the
support of the Great Preceptory, with the remainder of fees and other sums
acquired through fund-raising activities used for the development of further
charitable projects, and also distributed directly to chosen legitimate
charities.
Foreign Priory Members
We encourage Knights and Dames from our Fraternal Relations
Priories outside North America to join OPCCTS on an "Associate"
basis. Our members may also join your Priories on the same Associate basis if
invited. For more information, please visit our
Contact Us page and send an email stating your request and
contact information. There are no passage fees required but a small yearly dues
fee is applicable. This aides in covering costs associated with newsletter
postal mailings, etc.
Clergy
Anyone who is approaching the Order as a minster or Reverend must understand that as a Chivalric Order we take those in the clergy most seriously. However to be considered for the reduced rate, and to be accepted into the Order as a minister or other religious, you must have:
1) Graduated from a “brick and mortar” accredited theological seminary
2) Be serving in the capacity as clergy in a pastoral sense (not having another full time job and doing ministerial work “on-the-side”)
3) Have your seminary registrar’s office send us a letter stating your dates of attendance and date of graduation and degree received.
4) Provide one other additional reference besides those requested on the application CV from someone knowledgeable about your current position in the ministry.
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