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History of the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine
THE APPENDANT ORDER OF THE RED CROSS OF CONSTANTINE
Tradition asserts that this degree originated after the discovery of the true Cross by St. Helena. It is concerned with the three days which intervened between the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. This Order of Chivalry is said to have been instituted by the mother of Constantine, to maintain a guard at the Holy Place and is symbolised in the ceremony by a vigil over the Holy Sepulchre. The duties enjoined on the Knights were the performance of the seven works of mercy.
Tradition asserts that this degree originated after the discovery of the true Cross by St. Helena. It is concerned with the three days which intervened between the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. This Order of Chivalry is said to have been instituted by the mother of Constantine, to maintain a guard at the Holy Place and is symbolised in the ceremony by a vigil over the Holy Sepulchre. The duties enjoined on the Knights were the performance of the seven works of mercy.
313 A.D. Foundation of the Order of Constantine the Great after the battle of Saxa Rubra, October 28, 312, near Rome, and his vision of the Cross before the battle, as related in tradition.
1099 Revival of the Order of the Red Cross and Knights of the Holy Sepulchre amongst the Crusaders.
1750 The Order of the Red Cross, alluded to in connection with Freemasonry by the Baron Hunde in this Templar System of “Strict Observance.”
1788 The Order of the Red Cross, Holy Sepulchre and St. John introduced into England.
1796 The Right Honorable Lord Radcliffe elected Grand Master.
1808 Order of the Red Cross of Constantine recognized in London, May 4, with new Constitution and under the name “Illustrious Order of the Red Cross,” and the Chapter General made the governing body of the Order which could confer the Grand Cross.
Judge Walter Rodwell Wright elected the Grand Master.
1813 His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex installed Grand Master.
1825 Robert Carlile publishes an ‘Exposure’ in England that contained a Degree called the “Order of the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine,” which appeared to be a shortened and modified version of the Order, and was being worked at that time in Scotland and Ireland.
1865 Order revived, after fifty years of lethargy, and the Grand Imperial of Council of England established under a new Constitution which abolished the titles Chapter General and Grand Master.
William Henry White elected Grand Sovereign.
1866 Lord Kenlis (Earle of Bective) installed Grand Sovereign of the Grand Imperial Council of England.
1870 The Orders introduced into the United States, May 19.
1871 English branch of the Order changes its title from “Imperial Ecclesiastical and Order of the Red Cross of Constantine” to the “Military and Masonic Order of the Red Military Cross of Constantine.”
The American branch retains and continues to use the former title.
1872 Grand Imperial Council of the State of Illinois organized at Chicago, August 30, by five Conclaves chartered by the Grand Council of England.
1899 Grand Imperial Council of the Western Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States, organized at Jacksonville, IL, October 13, by all of the Conclaves in the obedience of the Grand Council of Illinois.
1907 Grand Imperial Council for the United States of America, organized at Duluth, MN, August 14 by all the Conclaves in the obedience of the Grand Council.
1946 Due to the independence of the Phillipines and the existence of Conclaves Mexico, the name “The Grand Imperial Council of the Imperial, Ecclesiastical and in Military Order of the Red Cross of Constantine and Appendant Orders, for the United States of America, Mexico, and the Phillipines” was adopted.
1958 Grand Imperial Council of the Imperial, Ecclesiastical and Military Order of Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine for the U.S.A., Empire of the East and the Grand Imperial Council of the Red Cross of Constantine and Appendant Orders for the U.S.A., Mexico, and the Phillipines united in Washington, DC, February 18, forming the United Grand Imperial Council of Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine and Appendant Orders of America, Mexico, and the Phillipines.
1958 As a result of the merger of the Grand Imperial Councils, the use of numbers to identify individual Councils is discontinued.
