THE GREAT PRIORY OF THE UNITED RELIGIOUS AND MASONIC ORDERS OF THE TEMPLE AND OF ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM, PALESTINE, RHODES, AND MALTA OF FINLAND

Extremely little precise information exists on the early stages of most Masonic brotherhoods, including the Knights Templar. The earliest reference to modern Masonic Knight Templar activity in England can be found in the minutes of the Chapter of Friendship (Royal Arch) in Portsmouth, dated 1778. Now Masonic Knights Templar are to be found working on a Christian basis all over the world. They have never professed to be descendant from the ancient Order, nor to be continuing its work.

The first Preceptory in Finland, Alpha was founded 1984 to operate under the Great Priory of England. The Great Priory of Finland was founded on 15 June 1985. It has more than 1300 Knights Templar and 1200 Knights of Malta as members. The Great Priory of Finland is internationally widely recognized by Masonic Organizations and is a part of The Mutual Concordat with other Accepted Masonic Organizations in Finland.

Under the Great Priory of Finland there are 39 Preceptories, three of them in Estonia. These Preceptories give also as Priories of Malta the Masonic degree of Knight of Malta.

The Great Seal of the Great Priory of Finland