ROYAL ARCH MATTERS
Live Virtual Tour of the Western Wall Tunnels
On Wednesday 10th June, Leicestershire and Rutland Royal Arch Masons hosted a live virtual tour of the Western Wall Tunnels. The Western Wall will be familiar to Royal Arch Masons as it was originally erected as part of the expansion of the Second Temple on Temple Mount. The Western Wall Tunnels have been filmed using state-of-the-art technology that gave a fully immersive tour of these famous tunnels. During the virtual tour, those who participated were in awe at the hidden underground spaces, and the opportunity to stand opposite the Holy of Holies and walk through a Hasmonean water aqueduct. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation provided an expert guide who took the virtual group on the magical tour of the tunnels and more.
The evening was well attended, by the Grand Superintendent Noel Manby, and many of his officers and Companions from Leicestershire & Rutland. Although the evening was free of charge, a donation to the Craft 2022 Festival was encouraged, which totalled an amazing ÂŁ1,046. The Grand Superintendent said,
This was such a fascinating evening, I would like to say a special thank you to E.Comps Andy Green and John Peberdy for organising the event.
Royal Arch News This article is entitled Royal Arch News, perhaps it should read The Lack of Royal Arch News, as we usually have enough information, articles, and photographs to fill three to four pages of Leicester Square. However, as we all know, our Freemasonry has been severely affected by the Covid19 to such an extent that our Chapters have not been able to meet in their usual way, and therefore have limited news to report.
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Our summer activities have also been put on hold, with any gettogethers, BBQ’s or fund-raising events which usually take place having also been cancelled. Provincial Grand Chapter was not able to go ahead in March, which also means we do not have an address from the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, Noel Manby, or photographs of the convocation. Although the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent was unable to appoint or promote in person those Companions in March 2020, they have been written to informing them they now hold
Leicester Square WINTER 2020
their new office or rank. Similarly to the Craft, Supreme Grand Chapter have ruled that Provincial Grand Chapter 2020 must take place as soon as possible within whatever limits and guidelines set out by the government. We have already had to alter three different dates and three different venues to try to make provision for six Companions to meet. At the time of writing this article, it is hoped we will meet at Market Harborough on 10th December, numbers depending on the guidance at the time. This will enable the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent to reappoint Paul
