Why Constantine?
Constantine was the first Roman Emperor to openly embrace and encourage Christianity. This followed his conversion to the faith when, after a long day’s march with his army and by the rays of the setting sun, they saw a vision in the sky of a special form of Cross.
Believing this to be a sign from heaven, Constantine had a standard made bearing an image of the Cross like that seen, and ordered that it should be carried before him in the wars. Several Christians in his army came forward and avowed their faith, following which Constantine directed that they should wear on their armour a Red Cross.
The Divisional leader is known as The Intendant General. His principal Officers are Deputy Intendant General, Treasurer, Recorder and Marshal.
In the second part, in the ceremonies of Knight of the Holy Sepulchre and St John the Evangelist, conducted at a later date, the Knight-Companion builds on what he has already been taught, and his knowledge is further expanded.
Having been successful in battle, it is said that Constantine, with the help of his chief bishop, Eusebius, opened a conclave of Knights of the Order, whose members became the bodyguard of their Sovereign.
Even though the Order had a chequered historical beginning it can be traced to the late 1700s. A variety of Degrees incorporating the title or inferring to the ‘Red Cross’, began to emerge on the Masonic scene.
Evidence suggests that something similar to today’s ritual was in use from the same period.
Our Order
The Head of the Order is known as The Grand Sovereign. The Order is divided into Divisions, of which Cheshire is one. We are a self contained administrative unit reporting directly to the Grand Conclave Administration.
The Divisional leader is known as The Intendant General. His principal Officers are Deputy Intendant General, Treasurer, Recorder and Marshal.
Members are known as Knights and meet in a Conclave The two senior officers of the Conclave are The Sovereign and The Viceroy.
On Enthronement nights they are installed in separate, consecutive, ceremonies; these Ceremonies are known as the Consecration of a Viceroy and the Enthronement of a Sovereign, who is placed into the Imperial Seat of Constantine.
As with other degrees in Freemasonry The Sovereign appoints each Conclave Officer. The majority of the Offices are progressive retaining their duties for one year.
The Ceremonies
The Christian Order is in two parts. The first ceremony consists of the Candidate’s admission, (as a Royal Arch Mason), obligation and then installation as a Knight- Companion of the Red Cross of Constantine, in which the historical basis of the Order is also described.
In the second part, in the ceremonies of Knight of the Holy Sepulchre and St John the Evangelist, conducted at a later date, the Knight-Companion builds on what he has already been taught, and his knowledge is further expanded.
These ceremonies, together with the two ceremonies leading to the principal Chairs in the Red Cross of Constantine, are without doubt some of the most beautiful and thought provoking to be found anywhere within the body of Freemasonry.