The Knights Templar is an order of Christian knighthood within the York Rite. Unlike other Masonic bodies which only require a belief in a Supreme Being regardless of religion, membership in Knights Templar is open only to those who promise to defend the Christian faith before all others. The Commandery of Knights Templar consists of three Orders:
Illustrious Order of the Red Cross
Order of the Knights of Malta
(or simply Order of Malta)
Order of the Temple