The Red Cross of Constantine
The Red Cross of Constantine is regarded by many as the highest honor that can be bestowed on a York Rite Mason. The only requirement to becoming a member is that one be a Christian Chapter Mason in good standing. The Knight's lapel pin is pictured at left. Normally, this honor is only conferred upon a member who has exhibited several years of diligent and faithful service to the Rite. The body is known as a Conclave, and the number of Conclaves that may exist in a given state is strictly regulated by the United Sovereign Grand Imperial Council, the ruling body of the Order. The Order sponsors social functions with the ladies as well as regular Conclave meetings. The number of a members that may belong to a particular Conclave is set by the United Sovereign Grand Imperial Council. The Conclave is presided over by the Puissant Sovereign, assisted by 11 other officers. A history of the beginnings of the Order can be found in Harold V.B.Voorhis' The Order of the Red Cross of Constantine.
The Order consists of three degrees: Knight,Priest, and Sovereign Prince. The Knight, in turn, consists of three Orders:Knight-Companion of the Red Cross of Constantine, Knight of the Holy Sepulchre, and Knight of St.John the Evangelist. The Knight-Companion of the Red Cross of Constantine symbolically inducts the candidate, representing one of Constantine's soldiers, into an Order of Christian Knighthood based upon the legend of Constantine's vision of the Cross just before the Battle of Saxa Rubra in 312 A.D. The Knight of the Holy Sepulchre occurs during the time of the Crusades, and the candidate represents an aspirant who hopes to be enrolled in the ranks of those valiant Knights who guard the Holy Sepulchre. After defeating the infidels in battle, he returns and in humility presents his spoils and honors upon the Holy Altar. He then hears a lecture on the early history of Jerusalem, and the discovery of the True Cross and the building of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Following this, he travels to the Holy Sepulchre, learns of the seven corporal works of mercy, and receives a new Word. The Knight of St. John presents to the candidate the overthrow of the old Temple and city of Jerusalem and its replacement with the New Temple of Christ and the Heavenly Jerusalem. The origin of the Masonic rites, their relationship to both the old and new Temples are explained. The candidate is duly knighted and participates in a concluding repast.
The degree of Priest is conferred in a body styled a College of Viceroys.This degree can only be conferred on one who has been duly elected as the second officer--Viceroy--of a Conclave. A Viceroy-elect must receive this degree before he can be installed in his office. The candidate represents the successor to Eusebius, the first Viceroy of the Order. The candidate is duly obligated, consecrated as a priest-Mason, undertakes a symbolic journey to perfection, and learns of the twelve grand points of the Order. With appropriate accoutrements, he is installed as Eusebius.
The final degree, that of Sovereign Prince, is conferred in a body known as a Senate of Sovereigns. This degree can only be conferred on one who has been duly elected as the presiding officer--Sovereign--of a Conclave. A Sovereign-elect must receive this degree before he can be installed in his office. The candidate now represents a noble Viceroy who is to be elevated to the imperial throne of Constantine. The candidate is duly obligated, takes a final symbolic journey, learns the symbolism of the Imperial Council insignia, and is invested with the accoutrements and jewel of his office and is appropriately saluted by all present. The jewel of a Sovereign is pictured at left.
REFERENCES:Ceremonies of Constituent Conclaves, United Grand Imperial Council of Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine and Appendant Orders for the United States of America, Mexico, and the Phillipines, 1971, The Order of the Red Cross of Constantine, Harold V.B. Voorhis, 1963, Masonic Organizations and Allied Orders and Degrees, Harold V.B. Voorhis, 1952.Masonic Rosicrucians
The full (Latin) name of this body is: Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis Masonensis (meaning, The Masonic Rosicrucian Society in the United States), abbreviated MSRICF. The governing body is the High Council, headed by a Supreme Magus, who serves for a three-year term. The state body is the College, headed by a Chief Adept, who serves for life. As a rule, there is no more than one College per state. A College may contain a maximum of 72 members. Members are Christian, Trinitarian Master Masons who have distinguished themselves by exceptional scholastic, research or educational ability, or unusual service to the Masonic fraternity. The MSRICF consists of Three Orders as presented in the table below. The FIRST ORDER are the "Learning Grades", the SECOND ORDER are the "Teaching Grades". None of these Grades is required to be conferred, although many Colleges do confer at least one. (In my College, Alabama College, the I°,IV°, and V° are conferred in full form, the rest being communicated.)The jewel of a VII° member (green ribbon) is shown at left. The THIRD ORDER are the "Ruling Grades". The Third Order grades are honorific in nature and are only conferred by the Supreme Magus upon recommendation of the Chief Adept. The jewel of a VIII° member (yellow ribbon) is shown at upper left. The jewel of a IX° member (not shown) is a gold SRICF bar and red ribbon, suspending a bishop's miter with the word "LVX" thereon and beneath this, the white shield with the red cross.Each grade (except the IX°) is described in the table below:
| First Order Grades | |
|---|---|
| Grade | Synopsis |
| I°--Zelator | The candidate is caused to undergo the test of the four elements and promises to study, obey, and defend. He learns the M.W., and joins the Fratres in the M.C. He is instructed in the symbolism and numerology of the Society. He is admonished not to falter or fail. |
| II°--Theoricus | The Zelator is led before each Ancient of the College, who explains to him the symbolism of one of the four elements and gives him a password. He receives a discourse on the nature of man, and the Cross of the Elements. Further signs, grips, and words are imparted and he is then given an impressive lecture on colors. |
| III°--Practicus | The Theoricus promises to keep the secrets of the grade, and is given an explanation of the emblematic significance of the cross. He is urged to study both physical and spiritual alchymy, and receives an interesting and informative historic lecture on the development and symbolism of alchymy and its practicioners. |
| IV°--Philosophus | This last grade of the First Order instructs the Practicus in the basic tenets of world religion and moral philosophy. He is urged to study and ponder the great moral, ethical, and religious teachings in order to more fully appreciate the beauties of the Christian religion. The candidate is given certain signs and words, and the grade concludes with a lengthy but extremely enlightening lecture on world religions and philosophies. |
| Second Order Grades | |
| V°--Adeptus Minor | After a probationary period, the Philosophus is received in the most solemn and serious manner into a chamber arrayed in a prescribed fashion. He there assumes the Covenant of the Adepts, and is invested with a word, signs, and grips. He receives a lecture summarizing what was taught in the First Order grades, and learns about the mysteries of the various names given to Deity. |
| VI°--Adeptus Major | The Adeptus Minor reconfirms his Covenant, and receives a lecture on how various religious systems have conceived of a life after death and the nature of man's immortality. |
| VII°--Adeptus Exemptus | The last grade of the Second Order teaches the candidate the importance of a life well-spent and to live a pure and virtuous life, having faith in the promises of the Redeemer as he pursues the path toward Perfection. He lastly receives a historical lecture tying together all the grades through which he has passed, and is told the symbolic significance of the rose and cross as understood by Rosicrucians. |
| Third Order Grades | |
| VIII°--Magister | This ceremony takes place in a Council of Magistri and is conferred only by the Supreme Magus or a frater deputized by him (usually, the Chief Adept).The candidate receives a brief review of the preceding grades, and takes an obligation. He learns of the four principal symbols of the grade, and is entrusted with words and signs of recognition. He is instructed in the formula of recognition, saluted as a Magister, and receives the Jewel of the Grade. Finally, a historical lecture is given on the origins of the Rosicrucians. |
| IX°--Magus | This grade is conferred upon the Chief Adept of a College, or other High Council officer, by the Supreme Magus or his deputy. In recent years, it has been conferred annually during the High Council meeting at Washington, D.C. in February. Very few copies of the ritual exist, and as I have not yet seen it, will go no further here. |
Knights of the York Cross of Honour
The Knight of the York Cross of Honour is an organization comprised of those York Rite Masons who have presided over a Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery. After so serving, a candidate must be proposed by one already a member and balloted on by the membership of the state body, called a Priory. There is but one Priory per state, headed by a presiding officer called a Prior.
The ceremony of initiation consists of an obligation, investing with words and signs of the order, and a series of lectures on the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council, and Commandery, which recall to the candidate's mind the principal lessons, obligations, and moral instructions taught in those bodies.
If a member is elected to preside over his Grand Lodge or other Grand York Rite bodies, he is invested with the honor of Knight Grand Cross (KYGCH) upon completion of his tenure. The Knight Grand Cross lapel pin is circular, with the KYCH emblem in the center, surrounded by a quadrant of color representing each Grand body over which he has presided. The colors are: blue--Grand Lodge; red--Grand Chapter; purple--Grand Council; white--Grand Commandery.
Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests
The Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests is limited to 33 active Knight Priests per body. Members meet in a body styled a Tabernacle, whose number is designated by a Roman numeral, e.g., Jerusalem No. XXXII. The number of Tabernacles a state may have is dependent on the number of active Commanderies in the state.The presiding officer is termed Very Eminent Preceptor. The jewel of a Preceptor is shown at left. The Knight Priest's jewel is the same, without the crown. In order to be considered for membership, one must be a past Commander of a Commandery of Knights Templar. Presumably, the limit of 33 refers symbolically to the number of years of Christ's sojourn upon Earth. The Order historically controlled thirty-three degrees, only one of which,Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest, is now "worked'. These degrees are:
- Knight of the Christian Mark
- Knight of St. Paul
- Knight of Patmos
- Knight of Death
- Knight of the Black Cross
- Knight of Bethany
- Knight of the White Cross
- Knight of Saint John
- Knight Priest of the Holy Sepulchre
- Holy Order of Wisdom
- Holy and Illustrious Order of the Cross
- Priest of Eleusis
- Knight of Harodim
- Knight of the North
- Knight of the South
- Knight of the Sanctuary
- Grand Cross of Saint Paul
- Knight of Saint John the Baptist
- Knight of Rosae Cross
- Knight of the Triple Cross
- Knight of the Holy Grave
- Knight of the Holy Virgin Mary
- Knight of the White Cross of Torphichen
- Grand Trinitarian Knight of St.John
- Grand Cross of Saint John
- Knight Priest of Jerusalem
- Knight of Palestine
- Knight of the Holy Cross
- Knight Priest of the Tabernacle
- Knight of Redemption
- Knight of Truth
- Knight of Rome
- Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest
It is also of interest that this degree is one of only four in Masonry whose theme is a Masonic priesthood, viz., the Order of High Priesthood for past Chapter High Priests; Priest-Mason in the College of Viceroys in the RCC (see above); Pontiff (19° of the AASR); and HRAKTP. This latter shares several points of overlap or similarity with the other three.
REFERENCES:Masonic Organizations and Allied Orders and Degrees, Harold V.B. Voorhis, 1952.What is the Order of the Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests , Wylie B. Wendt, Grand College H.R.A.K.T.P., 3rd Edition, 1988.Early Ritual of HRAKTP, private communication.Allied Masonic Degrees
The Allied Masonic Degrees, like the Masonic Rosicrucians, is an organization based on interest and ability in Masonic research and scholarship. Membership is by invitation and is open to Companions who have completed the Chapter degrees. The local bodies are styled "Councils", and the national supervisory body is the Grand Council. Councils are presided over by a Sovereign Master, who is assisted by eight other officers. The structure and office titles of the Council are very similar to corresponding offices and ritual in the Blue Lodge. The maximum number of active members of any Council is limited to 27. Some Councils are very selective (in my Council, Ten Sephiroth No.255, a MAXIMUM of two invitees per year are selected). Papers and discussions of Masonic and related topics are typically held at Council meetings. The AMD controls 10 degrees, but which ones (if any) are actually "worked" is decided by each Council for itself. Ten Sephiroth Council works three: Royal Ark Mariner, Knight of Constantinople and Grand Tylers of Solomon.
Upon joining, the candidate is given a preliminary lecture on the history, aims, and purposes of the the AMD, then introduced into the Council room, takes a "blanket" obligation, and is taught the necessary signs. This is sufficient to make him a member of the AMD. The insignia of a Brother of the AMD is shown at left. Any degrees that are conferred follow the obligation ceremony.
The regular degrees under the control of the AMD, and a brief description of each, are presented in the table below:
| Degree | Synopsis |
|---|---|
| St. Lawrence the Martyr | The candidate is requested to undergo a signal test of his courage, after which he is obligated, instructed in the history of St. Lawrence, and given the signs and words of the degree. Also explained are the significance of the gridiron and hackle, the special symbols of the degree. |
| Secret Monitor | This degree typifies the beauties of brotherly love, as exemplified in the example of David and Jonathan. It is based on their story and is semi-dramatic in character. The candidate receives an obligation, signs, and words and a lecture relating to the degree. The special symbol is the arrow. |
| Royal Ark Mariner | This degree is set in the time of Noah and his sons, and relates events prior to, during, and after the Flood. The degree is interesting because much of it is set in unrhymed meter, and because axes are used in place of gavels and undressed aprons for lambskin ones. The candidate receives the customary obligation, signs, words and a lecture. The lesson taught is one of trusting in God's goodness and mercy. Earlier in AMD history, separate Lodges of Royal Ark Mariners were attached, or "moored", to a particular Council, but this is no longer practiced. |
| Knight of Constantinople | This degree teaches the important lessons of humility and equality. It is set in the time of the Emperor Constantine, in the city of Constantinople. Two haughty Roman nobles learn the lessons previously cited in a most striking manner. Again, an obligation is administered and signs, word,and a lecture given. |
| Grand Tylers of Solomon | This degree bears a close affinity to the Select Master Degree of the York Rite Council. Like the latter, it is set in a subterranean vault and relates the story of an unwitting intruder into a secret council. The degree teaches that all Masons must be effective tilers and guard their Lodges against the unworthy and the irreligious. |
| Excellent Master | This degree is somewhat reminiscent of the Royal Arch Degree and Illustrious Order of the Red Cross. The candidate represents a Jewish sojourner freed from Babylonian captivity, who desires to return to Jerusalem and labor on the new Temple. He passes four veils in order to gain admission to the Sanhedrin sitting in Council. |
| Masters of Tyre | This degree has three sections. The first takes place in the court of Hiram, King of Tyre who agrees to assist Solomon in building his Temple by sending men, materials, and Hiram Abiff. The second section takes place in a quarry near Jerusalem and involves Craftsmen discussing a conspiracy. The third section occurs back in Hiram's court at Tyre, where in memory of the deceased Chief Architect this degree is instituted as a memorial. There are several lectures throughout the course of the degree. |
| Architect | In this degree, the candidate states his abhorrence of the crime against GMHA, and is asked to participate in a memorial to the Chief Architect. After being obligated, he receives two catechisms. |
| Grand Architect | Here, the candidate represents Moabon, an Architect, who brings plans for the completion of the third level of the Temple. His ideas being adopted, he is rewarded by being obligated and created a Grand Architect. In this degree, as in that of Architect, there are also two catechisms recited. |
| Superintendant | This degree concludes the trilogy of Architect, Grand Architect, and Superintendant. Now, Moabon (the candidate) is elevated to the exalted station of Chief Architect (or Superintendant) to replace the one lost to treachery. He assumes an obligation, and is given a catechism on the furniture and adornment of the Temple. |
A Brother elected to preside over an AMD Council must receive the Installed Sovereign Master degree before he can be installed in
that office. The badge of a Sovereign Master is shown at left. The degree of Past Sovereign Master involves the relation of an occurrence
that transpires between Solomon, a Mason named Adonirum, and a visiting dignitary to Solomon's court. The candidate assumes an obligation,
is instructed in signs and words, and receives a lecture on the incidents upon which the degree is founded.
The highest honor that can be awarded to an AMD member by his Council is that of Knight of the Red Branch of Eri, given for unselfish
and faithful service to his Council and/or the AMD. There are no set requirements, and each Council sets its own rules for selection. In
my Council, we award at most one a year and some years, not at all. The insignia of a Knight is shown at left. The Order is divided into
three degrees, Man-at-Arms, Esquire, and Knight. The ritual is one of Irish knighthood and much of the phrases, terms, and names are
couched in the Irish language. The Order is not actively "worked", and the text is readily available to all AMD brethren in the AMD ritual book.
References:Ritual of Allied Masonic Degrees,Grand Council Allied Masonic Degrees,U.S.A., 1980.
Knight Masons of the U.S.A.
The Knight Masons of the U.S.A. arrived in this country in May, 1936 when three Councils were chartered in North Carolina by the Grand Council in Ireland. The degrees of Knight Masonry were anciently styled the "Green Degrees". In the 1960's control of these degrees in the U.S. passed from the Grand Council in Ireland to a Grand Council in the U.S.A., which meets annually during the Allied Bodies Meeting in Washington, D.C. Membership is by invitation and is predicated on membership in the Royal Arch Chapter. The degrees conferred are:
- Knight of the Sword
- Knight of the East
- Knight of the East and West
- Installed Excellent Chief
These degrees are reminiscent of the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross in the York Rite Commandery (q.v.) or the 15th & 16th degrees of the Scottish Rite. The presiding officer of a Council is styled Excellent Chief, and he is assisted by 10 other officers. Members address each other as "Cousin" (See I Esdras,Chapter 3). A synposis of each degree, except the Installed Excellent Chief, follows:
- Knight of the Sword--The candidate, representing Zerubbabel (Z), seeks admission to come before King Cyrus. The King relates the details of a dream to his courtiers, and then permits Z to enter. Z requests liberty for the captive Jews and gives a signal demonstration of his fidelity. The King, being impressed, grants Z and his company permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. He invests him with a sash, a sword, and a password.
- Knight of the East--The time is now 16 years after the action of the previous degree. Z now returns to Persia from Jerusalem to request of King Darius continued support in building the Jewish Temple, and his aid in driving away the enemies who are frustrating their efforts. Darius grants the request and appoints Z a palace guard. Before retiring, the King proposes the discussion of the relative strengths of wine, women, or the king. Z and two other guards contend via argument, with Z coming out the victor. He is then escorted safely back to Jerusalem.
- Knight of the East and West--In this degree, Z returns in triumph to Jerusalem and reports to the Sanhedrin, or Jewish Council. As a recognition for his valor and constancy, he is created a Knight of the East and West, and is invested with a sash and apron.