Red Cross of Constantine

The Masonic Order of the Red Cross of Constantine

The Red Cross of Constantine

The Masonic and Military Order of the Red Cross of Constantine and the Appendant Orders of the Holy Sepulchre and of Saint John the Evangelist to give its full title, is a Masonic Order of Christian Knighthood asking an allegiance to the Christian religion.

This Order of Christian Chivalry is the only Masonic Order which gives a Christian interpretation of the Craft and Royal Arch.

Its beginnings are obscure, strange, fascinating and, to some extent, frustrating, but, suffice to say, the workings as known today were established by a Robert Wentworth Little in 1985. Its purpose apparently was the creation of a Medieval Masonic Knighthood as an honour and as a way in which a Mason could be raised into the "Upper Class".

The Order consists of two degrees.

The first , Knight of the Red Cross of Constantine, is founded on a vision of the Roman Emperor, Flavius Valerius Constantine which is said to have led to his establishing Christianity as the official religion of the United Roman Empire.

Masonic tradition suggests that an Order was formed honouring those who showed outstanding valour on the field of battle on the day of his vision, and fifty (50) Knights became a special honour guard.

During the degree, reference is made to the Roman College of Architects who it is said, were the direct ancestors of the Comacine Masons from whom Freemasonry descends.

The second degree consists of three points representing Novice, Esquire and Knight. Both degrees are of deep mystical significance, explaining the Craft and Royal Arch in a Christian sense.

It should be remembered that when this Order was founded, Freemasonry was avowedly Christian, demanding that its members attend Church every Sunday if within walking distance or 50 miles by horseback.

This Order obviously deserves great respect. It indicates how the various incidents in the history of the Hero in the Craft degree can be interpreted in the light of the Christian story.

The Grand Imperial Conclave for Queensland consists of twenty (20) Conclaves, and was established in 1984. Prior to this it served as a Divisional Conclave of England, when 1900 E.H. Courtenay Luck was granted a patent to create Master Masons of "good repute" members.

Qualifications for membership of the Order are : financial membership of a Craft Lodge and of a Royal Arch Chapter and a belief in the Christian Trinity.

If more information is needed, and/or you would like to become a member, it is suggested that you contact one of the Recorders of a Conclave whose names and addresses are contained in the Masonic directory of United Grand Lodge of Queensland or you can contact the Grand Recorder of this Order.

__________________________________

Printed under the authority of Grand Committee of the Grand Imperial Conclave for Queensland.

Grand Recorder:-Owen Vickers, PO BOX 1099, Caboolture 4510

Tel: (07) 5496 7193

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Conclaves

Brisbane Conclaves

• Brisbane Duke of Cornwall - Stones Corner
• Courtenay Luck - Ipswich
• Thornton Memorial - Kedron
• Rose of Sharon - Southport
• Arkana - Stones Corner
• Alpha - Beenleigh

Queensland Country Conclaves

• Nazareth - Cairns
• Trinity - Toowoomba
• Bethlehem - Townsville
• The Good Shepherd - Bundaberg
• Capricorn - Rockhampton
• Charleville - Roma
• Nambour - Nambour
• Sandy Shores - Hervey Bay

Useful Forms for Chapter Scribes.

M Ex Comp Colin Oswald Mander, GZ

First Grand Principal 

Col was born in Cleveland on 13th May 1941. He attended Wellington Point Primary School and Wynnum State High School. He left school in Year 11 and commenced work with Watson Victor Ltd as the Office Boy and worked his way through several positions to become the Queensland State Manager. During his employment with Watson Victor Ltd Col attended night school and completed senior and then studied Accountancy at the Queensland Institute of Technology.

Whilst working at Watson Victor Col met a gorgeous young blonde named Jeanette Paterson and they were married on the 20th January 1968.They have two sons Craig and Scott. When Watson Victor merged with another company in 1973 Col left and joined Redland Shire Council as a Human Resources Manager. He retired at the age of 59 and along with three colleagues started All Trades Queensland which they sold in late 2011.

Col loves sport and in his early teens played soccer and then tennis for many years winning many A grade trophies. He served as a committee member of the Redlands Lawn Tennis Association for many years including seven years as President( He is a life member of that Association).He was an active member of Cleveland Meals on Wheels for ten years.

Col was initiated in Redlands Lodge no 252 on 21st January 1984 Passed in May 1984 and raised in January 1985. He served in all offices and was installed as Master in September 1992. In Grand Lodge Col served in many Offices commencing with Standard Bearer in 1996 through to Assistant Grand Master in 2008. He has also served on the Board of General Purposes and the Board of Benevolence.
Col is a Member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for Australia. He joined the 18th Degree in 1988 and served all offices and installed as Most Wise Sovereign in 1996,2009 and 2010. He joined the 30th Degree in 1993 and served all offices and installed as Grand Commander in 2004. He had the 31st Degree conferred in 2007, the 32nd Degree in April 2011 and the 33rd Degree in June 2011.He was appointed the District Commander of the District of Brisbane Central in 2011 and appointed as Regional Commander of Region 2 and a Member of Supreme Council from 2013 to 2019.

Col joined Beenleigh Royal Arch Chapter in June 2005, exalted in February 2006 and installed as 1st Principal in March 2010. In Grand Chapter Col commenced as a Standard Bearer in November 2011 then served as a G2NDSOJ, DGDC, GDC and appointed DGZ 2016/2018.
Col is also a member of the Royal Order of Scotland and is currently the Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Queensland.