An introduction to the Allied Masonic Degrees

Once a Brother has been Exalted into the Royal Arch Chapter, and Advanced into the Mark Degree, there are many other Degrees that he can become a member of, but one of the nicest and friendliest is the Allied Masonic Degrees.

 

The Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees was founded in 1879 to bring under its jurisdiction all Lodges of various orders who recognized no central Authority and were not regulated by the other major governing bodies.

 

Initially the degrees of Grand High Priest, St Lawrence the Martyr, The Red Cross of Babylon and Knights Of Constantinople placed themselves under the control of this body and by 1897 the degrees of Grand Tilers of Solomon, one degree of the Secret Monitor and the Order of Holy Wisdom (Knights Templar Priest grades) had also been included.

 

Eventually however in 1923, a Grand College of Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests for England was erected at Newcastle and the Grand Council accordingly disclaimed control of this large group of degrees.

 

Following this in 1931, the Grand Council of Allied Masonic Degrees agreed to cease working their single degree of the Secret Monitor and so today, Private Councils of the Order are therefore empowered to work the degrees of:

 

St Lawrence the Martyr

Knights of Constantinople

Grand Tilers of Solomon

Red Cross of Babylon

Grand High Priests

 

In 1972 the title of this body changed to the Grand Council of the Order of the Allied Masonic Degree and today there are more than 250 Councils that range under its banner.

 

In a Council of Allied Masonic Degrees, we find that ‘Office’ structure varies from degree to degree. The degree of St Lawrence the Martyr is always the first degree a new candidate must take, and it is in this degree in which all administrative work is

undertaken, and the Installation of the Worshipful Master of the Council takes place. All other degrees can be taken in the Brother’s

‘Mother Council’ or in any other Council, and in any order.

 

The five ceremonies are very different, are dramatic, and involve a lot of role-playing making them enjoyable to perform yet despite this, each degree contains serious Masonic lessons to captivate and enthrall all involved and will leave a lasting impression on every candidate.

 

The Degree of St Lawrence the Martyr must be taken first. It explains how Lawrence gave his life rather than betray his principles and responsibilities. Integrity and fortitude are the lessons to be learned here.

 

The other four degrees may be taken in any order.

 

Knights of Constantinople concerns the relationship between the Emperor Constantine and his subjects. The ceremony is entertaining and amusing but at the end, the candidate is left in no doubt of the importance of humility.

 

Grand Tilers of Solomon is a very dramatic degree set in the secret vault beneath the Temple. It teaches us to reflect on the danger of hasty judgment.

 

Red Cross of Babylon covers the gap between the Craft and the Royal Arch, Zerubbabel obtaining permission to commence the rebuilding of the Temple. The lesson is the supreme importance of truth.

 

The Order of Grand High Priest sees the candidate anointed, consecrated and set apart to the service of God in the High Priesthood. This is a special and uplifting ceremony, which many believe should be the last degree to be taken.

 

Once all 5 Degrees are complete, your Mother Council Secretary will apply for your Grand Council Certificate.