Christian "Right of Passage" Knighting Ceremony
ORIGINAL KNIGHTING CEREMONY FROM 1346:
The earliest order of knights, known as The Gata, was created in 1346 by King Edward III to distinguish an elite group of men known for their virtue, religion and skill as a knight on horse back (che-valory) and on foot. These skills included: the use of a lance, jousting, one-on-one combat, single-handedly fighting groups (knight against 6 or more), and the use of historical weapons (axe, mace, pike, hammer, dagger, Medieval swords).
History tells us The Black Knight was actually one of the "good guys". Known as a magnificent warrior and man of honor, The Black Knight was chosen by King Edward III to be the very first knight sworn into The Gata. Here are the actual words spoken by King Edward III as his sword tapped the shoulders of the kneeling Black Knight:
"You being chosen to be one of the honorable company of the most noble order of The Gata, shall promise and swear by the holy evangelists, by you here touched, that wittingly or unwittingly, you shall not break any statute of the said order, or any articles in them contained. The same being agreeable and not repugnant to the laws of Almighty God, and the laws of this realm as far forth as you belongeth and apertaineth, so help you God, and his Holy Word."
Knights & Armor by Sadel Doc
Supplies for your Knighting Ceremony can be found in Christian Items.
Christians today are also measured for their "spiritual skills" in much the same way Medieval Knights were measured for physical skills. The Bible is full of advice and warnings for the "Christian Knight" who ventures forth in a modern world. Although the Armor Of God is based upon Roman armament, every Christian man, woman and child need it to survive the daily spiritual warfare "battles" that occur.
A MODERN DAY KNIGHT
By Slayden MacGregor
Introduction
This account of a Christian Knighting Ceremony occurred in 2004 as the MacGregor family's 15 year old son was challenged to follow the Christian life. His father, grandfather, and several uncles each spent two hours one-on-one teaching the teen about the differences between a Christian life and the life "the world" has to offer.
- Country club lunch — discussion of "success" from the world's perspective vs. God's
- Swim a good distance up a river and back down — talk about family & marriage
- Visit family graves — discuss suffering, loss and how God comforts and heals emotions
- Older person of Godly wisdom (preferably grandfather) — discuss the family's Christian heritage, legacy, and Christian virtues.
At the end of the day, all of the men went to a secluded and private place, and gathered together in a circle around the teen in a solemn moment as the teen's father began the following Christian Knighting Ceremony.
Knighting Ceremony
(1) Slayden Revill stands before Slayden Lee:
"Slayden Revill MacGregor, today you have had many different experiences with several men that have proved themselves through life as men. It has been our intention to invest in you the best of what we men have to offer. I have done the very best I know how to raise you these 15 years. I have been harder on you than your brothers; I have made mistakes. But I have given you my best. Our father and your grandfather passed on to us his very best. He passed on to us the virtue of manhood.
Today, formally, we pass on this virtue to you. This virtue is not an inalienable right. It is not something that automatically comes on a man because he comes of age. Manhood becomes a reality as a boy begins to realize that he must begin to live as his own man developing his own character, realizing that he is becoming the product of his own decisions (good or bad). What you become as a man is going to be a result of the decisions you make over the next twenty years.
There is no turning back. We have gathered here to hand to you the baton of manhood. You are becoming a man in an age of moral decadence. The world will not be friendly to a man seeking to live righteously with honor and integrity. You are becoming a man in an age that will take more spiritual, moral and emotional fortitude than it did in all the years of the men represented in this room. It will take strength of character and personal honor.
In the European Middle Ages, a knight was a formally professed cavalryman, generally a vassal who held land from the lord he served. At about 7, a boy bound for knighthood became a page, then at 12 a damoiseau ("lordling"), and subsequently he became a shield bearer or esquire. When judged ready, he was dubbed knight, by his lord in a solemn ceremony. The Christian ideal of knightly behavior (called CHIVALRY) required devotion to the church, loyalty to military and feudal superiors, and preservation of personal honor."
(Speaker holds the sword high... and places it in the hands of the one being knighted.)
"Today, we dub you a Modern Day Knight you as you enter manhood. This sword represents: Valor – strength of mind or spirit, which enables a man to encounter danger with firmness; personal bravery. It represents heroism. No matter what the day and age, the man who stands for and is willing even to die for his own personal honor or a cause greater than himself has valor.
This valor is the essence of humility – the essence of manhood, when a man realizes that his life is not his own. That whatever the personal cost, as a man he has been called by God to lead, to guide, to protect and provide for another. You will be called by God to one woman to which you will commit your life to the sanctity of marriage.
You will be called to a family to which you will live for to lead, guide, provide for and protect from the world, the flesh and the Devil. You will be called to the local church; which, if you commit your life to her, you will ensure the spiritual life of yourself and your family. God only knows what occupation that He will use you in as a man. Play the man, be a man of valor, a man of honor.
The sword also represents: God's Holy Word, which is called a "double-edged sword". Scripture says that if you become a listener and a doer of the Word, your life will endure the storms of life that are coming. (Matt. 7:24-27) It is only in the Word of God that you will find the priceless wisdom that will guide you throughout your life as a man. It is only through the Word of God that you will develop the convictions that are Godly, that are right, and that are eternal so that your life will not be wasted on worthless pursuits. It is only through the Word of God that you will find the strength to stand for the convictions that you develop from God's Word. It is only through the Word of God that you will know God and His sovereign, good/loving calling and jurisdiction over your life. (Psalm 1:1-3; 119:9)
You are entering into a battle for the souls of man – for your very soul. The enemy knows that if he can separate you from God's Word and the local church, he can weaken your soul. If Satan can weaken the soul of a man, he can undo the very fabric of a society. God has given you a strong soul. You are a leader and not a follower. I believe that God has given you a level head.
You have personal integrity (you don't lie). You have maturity, wisdom and insight beyond your years. You have strength of soul – character beyond your years. Today we are not making you a man; we are simply acknowledging you as entering into manhood. We have all watched you throughout the normal circumstances of life, and we all acknowledge that you are no longer a boy; we are sending you into the blessing, the duty and the honor of manhood.
It is only through a regular diet of and study of God's Word and a personal relationship with God that you will be strengthened to actually carry out the will of God for your life. There will be many areas of opposition (Social and Circumstantial). Most in this generation will not stand in integrity and character when times get tough. Real men stand when others falter. Real men make and carry out the difficult decisions when others stand by in passivity and watch. There will be a continual temptation to compromise your personal integrity in all areas of life. Do not succumb. Your integrity and your character are two of the most valuable assets a man has, and once they are compromised rarely are they ever won again. A real man is ready and willing to fight on the battlefield of life for his own integrity and righteousness. Real men are willing also to fight for the liberty, and justice of those in his realm of influence – especially his own family. Stay committed to the Scriptures, and you will become a REAL MAN."
(2) Presentation of the Bible:
"Your mother and I present to you this Bible, which we pray will be your continual diet. We pray that it will be the source of your strength and direction throughout your life as a man, a husband, a father and a leader. Your mother and I know that our years of guidance are coming to a close, (we feel you have listened to us well – and for that we are very thankful). We pray that you will regularly listen to your Heavenly Father through His Word. Give him the Bible Slayden, only the men – the real men of this age will carry others to the solid ground of truth and righteousness. Whether you find yourself in politics, church life, business, military, medicine etc. Whatever your lot in life, we the men in your life commission you to a life of continued personal spiritual growth, character growth and integrity. Let this sword be a reminder to you of this ceremony. Let this sword be a prompting to the preservation of your own personal honor as a man."
(3) "The Knighting"
(1) The speaker stands in front of person being knighted and is holding the sword at his belly... pointing upwards.
(2) The person being knighted is told to kneel
"If you will please kneel Slayden, not many men in medieval times became knights. I believe if you lived in that day and age you would have unquestionably been awarded knighthood. This is the time where you enter into manhood.
Not many men are real men when they become of age. We believe differently about you. This dignity is not hereditary; it is earned, and maintained through your personal honor and integrity. Edward McKendree Bounds said, (about preachers) and it applies to all men, 'it takes twenty years to make the man.'
The next twenty years will determine what kind of man you will become. It is our estimation that you will become a very GOOD MAN. We trust that you will walk in the full-will of God, stand tall among men as a man of reverence toward God and courage toward other men and circumstances. We stand behind you and with you as encouragement and support. We covenant together to pray for you and to hold you accountable to the highest standards of manhood."
(2) The speaker raises sword straight up into the air (pointing upwards – full reach) and slowly lowers to tap the new knight's shoulders – alternating in the following sequence: 1st–lower sword blade flat surface to the knight's left (speaker's right side), then arise sword high crossing over to the knight's right shoulder for the 2nd tap, then for the 3rd tap, raise the sword high and tap the knight's left shoulder again. (remember to use the "flat" part of the blade – NOT THE EDGE!)
"Slayden Revill MacGregor I hereby knight you into manhood. The blessing and virtue that you will carry to the next generation depends upon you PLAYING THE MAN."
This ends the ceremony performed by the MacGregor family to whom we deeply appreciate the sharing of this material. Permission to use the above article "A Modern Day Knight" is granted only to those wishing to print a personal single copy for a knighting. This article may not be reproduced in any other form for print, use on the internet or any other capacity. Any commercial use, for profit or promotion, is not allowed.
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