On Monday 17th March members of Granite Chapter met for their annual Installation meeting at Freemasons' Hall in Leicester. This year, the First Principals chair had a familiar look to it, as Richard Barnett took the reigns fora second time after having only just relinquished his responsibilities in the Chapter of the Flaming Torch.
Ocupying the other Principals chairs were David Andrews and Paul Bodell, making up the new look team for the next twelve months.
The Royal Arch sets the scene for Zerubbabel the grandson of Jehoiachin, penultimate King of Judah. Following the defeat of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon by King Cyrus of Persia, the Israelites that had been held captive in Babylon were allowed to return home to Jerusalem. Zerubbabel was appointed Governor of Judah by King Darius I (who came after King Cyrus; though it was Cyrus who conceived of the idea) and led the first group of returning Israelites, numbering over 42,000, on this long journey, described in the Book of Ezra.
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Shortly after his arrival in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel laid the foundation stone of the Second Temple and supervised the rebuilding project, working closely with Joshua, son of Jozadak, the High Priest. King Darius I of Persia, was busy suppressing revolts elsewhere in his kingdom and so did not interfere.
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