175 YEARS OF THE ANCIENT and ACCEPTED RITE |
This is a Christian Order much loved by Brethren who enjoy the philosophical and contemplative aspects of freemasonry and is more popularly known as ‘Rose Croix’
Practised extensively throughout the World, the Order in England and Wales, and certain Districts and Chapters overseas, is governed by The Supreme Council from its headquarters at St. James’s, London, known as the Grand East.
The Supreme Council received its Warrant dated 26th October, 1845, from ‘The Supreme Council of the Northern Masonic District of the United States of America” and was the 11th such jurisdiction in the world to receive authority to oversee the Order.
Letters Patent to form the Order in this country had already been issued by The Supreme Council in France but the holder, the then Grand Master The Duke of Sussex had not enacted them. Seeing an opportunity a Brother of some notoriety, W Bro. Dr Robert Crucefix took authority from the US Northern Jurisdiction and became the first Sovereign Grand Commander for five years prior to his death in 1850.
Over the intervening 175 years 24 worthy Masons have held that position and the current incumbent, Most Puissant Bro Alan J Englefield, a former Provincial Grand Master in Oxfordshire and Past Grand Chancellor has been in post for 8 years.
The complete Order comprises 33 degrees, of which only the 18∞ is worked in our private Chapters. The ceremony of the 18∞ is based on the message of Easter. It is an immensely thought-provoking ceremony which instills a warmth of Brotherly love on which the whole Masonic movement is founded. Higher Degrees, from the 19th to the 33rd are worked by the 9 members of The Supreme Council, usually at the Grand East in London.
The Order takes its connection with the Craft most seriously recognising it as the foundation of the Order and at the heart of every member’s commitments.
Practised extensively throughout the World, the Order in England and Wales, and certain Districts and Chapters overseas, is governed by The Supreme Council from its headquarters at St. James’s, London, known as the Grand East.
The Supreme Council received its Warrant dated 26th October, 1845, from ‘The Supreme Council of the Northern Masonic District of the United States of America” and was the 11th such jurisdiction in the world to receive authority to oversee the Order.
Letters Patent to form the Order in this country had already been issued by The Supreme Council in France but the holder, the then Grand Master The Duke of Sussex had not enacted them. Seeing an opportunity a Brother of some notoriety, W Bro. Dr Robert Crucefix took authority from the US Northern Jurisdiction and became the first Sovereign Grand Commander for five years prior to his death in 1850.
Over the intervening 175 years 24 worthy Masons have held that position and the current incumbent, Most Puissant Bro Alan J Englefield, a former Provincial Grand Master in Oxfordshire and Past Grand Chancellor has been in post for 8 years.
The complete Order comprises 33 degrees, of which only the 18∞ is worked in our private Chapters. The ceremony of the 18∞ is based on the message of Easter. It is an immensely thought-provoking ceremony which instills a warmth of Brotherly love on which the whole Masonic movement is founded. Higher Degrees, from the 19th to the 33rd are worked by the 9 members of The Supreme Council, usually at the Grand East in London.
The Order takes its connection with the Craft most seriously recognising it as the foundation of the Order and at the heart of every member’s commitments.
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Our Grand Patron is HRH The Duke of Kent 33°
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Very Ill. Bro Ian C Smith 33° Inspector General District of Yorkshire West Riding.
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As a celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Order the District had organised a special Service of Thanksgiving which was due to be held at St Giles Church, Pontefract on June 14th.
In his foreword to the order of Service Ian wrote:
“To be appointed as Inspector General of the District of Yorkshire, West Riding for the Ancient and Accepted Rite in any year is indeed an honour, but to occupy the position in the 175th year of Celebration of Supreme Council is a unique experience, which I had not anticipated when first Perfected as a Prince in 1993!
It is therefore with great pleasure that I acknowledge with gratitude the debt that members of this District, present and future, owe to those of our brethren who illuminated the path of our past.
Theirs is a story of a long line of freemasons, men from varying walks of life with the imperfections and frailties common to all generations but with one common aim, to live in accord with each other, exemplifying the three grand principles on which freemasonry is founded.”
It is a matter of sadness that our celebrations have been cut short by the current Coronavirus crisis but during our 175 years members of our Order have faced other national crises, worked through them and emerged stronger than ever.
I am sure that the flame which was lit by our ancestors one hundred and seventy five years ago and has since continued to burn will shine ever more brightly into our future."
Very Ill. Bro Ian C Smith 33° Inspector General District of Yorkshire West Riding.
District Recorder for the Order is Ill. Bro Derek Smart 30° who would be happy to provide any further information about the Order and its Chapters in Yorkshire, West Riding.
In his foreword to the order of Service Ian wrote:
“To be appointed as Inspector General of the District of Yorkshire, West Riding for the Ancient and Accepted Rite in any year is indeed an honour, but to occupy the position in the 175th year of Celebration of Supreme Council is a unique experience, which I had not anticipated when first Perfected as a Prince in 1993!
It is therefore with great pleasure that I acknowledge with gratitude the debt that members of this District, present and future, owe to those of our brethren who illuminated the path of our past.
Theirs is a story of a long line of freemasons, men from varying walks of life with the imperfections and frailties common to all generations but with one common aim, to live in accord with each other, exemplifying the three grand principles on which freemasonry is founded.”
It is a matter of sadness that our celebrations have been cut short by the current Coronavirus crisis but during our 175 years members of our Order have faced other national crises, worked through them and emerged stronger than ever.
I am sure that the flame which was lit by our ancestors one hundred and seventy five years ago and has since continued to burn will shine ever more brightly into our future."
Very Ill. Bro Ian C Smith 33° Inspector General District of Yorkshire West Riding.
District Recorder for the Order is Ill. Bro Derek Smart 30° who would be happy to provide any further information about the Order and its Chapters in Yorkshire, West Riding.
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