Membership is open to Craft Freemasons (recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England) who are also Holy Royal Arch Chapter Companions and who have a belief in the Trinitarian Christian Faith.
The Red Cross ceremonial is based upon the legend surrounding Constantine Ist, his conversion to the Christian Faith from paganism and his overseeing of the subsequent promotion of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. At their Installation the new Knight learns of the miraculous victory of Constantine the Great over Emperor Maxentius and his subsequent conversion to Christianity. The Candidate then learns of the banner Constantine, adopted after his vision in the sky, after which they become Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine.
The Appendant Orders are conferred at a separate meeting. First the Knight becomes a member of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, which is based upon the actions of Godfrey de Bouillon following the fall of Jerusalem in 1099 A.D. in founding a force of Christian Knights to protect the Holy Sepulchre against attacks by non-believers. This takes place in a Sanctuary of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.
The ceremonial of the Order of St John the Evangelist interprets the Royal Arch ceremony in Christian terms and completes the Appendant Orders ceremonies. Both Constantine himself, and his mother Saint Helena, a devout Christian, are particularly celebrated within the three combined Orders.
For further information about joining the order please email the Divisional Recorder Robert Harrison [email protected] or the Deputy Intendant General [email protected].
