Welcome to the Essex Division of the Red Cross of Constantine. It is encouraging to know that you are seeking to know more about Freemasonry and in particular the Christian Orders. Let me give you a brief overview of our Order and what we bring to the “universal Masonic movement”

The Red Cross of Constantine or as it is formally known, the “Masonic and Military Order of the Red Cross of Constantine and the Appendant Orders of the Holy Sepulchre and of St. John the Evangelist”, is a Christian Order within Craft Freemasonry. Candidates must already be members of a Freemasons Lodge and a Holy Royal Arch Chapter; they must also be of the Christian faith and ready to proclaim a belief in the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity.

The Masonic and Military Order of the Red Cross of Constantine is a “three-degree” Order and with its "Appendant Orders" a total of five degrees are conferred within the system. Installation as a “Knight of the Red Cross of Constantine” is admission to the Order’s first degree. There are two more degrees which follow and also two other distinct Orders of Masonry (both Christian in ethos), all is under the control of the Grand Imperial Conclave of the Order administered world-wide from our headquarters in St. James’s Street, London.

Grand Imperial Conclave governs Conclave activities (Individual Units) in England and Wales and also regulates them in Countries such as Jamaica, South Africa, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Bulgaria.

The Order commemorates the miracle at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, in which the Emperor Constantine was granted a vision of the Cross of Christ and instructed to "conquer in this sign". This event led to the legalisation of Christianity, one of the most significant events in the history of the Christian Church.

We welcome and thank you for visiting the Essex Division of the Red Cross of Constantine Website a visit and may The Great Three in One keep you forever in his care.

The earliest record of the Red Cross of Constantine degree was in Scotland in the late 1700’s. The Order assumed its current form following the establishment of Grand Imperial Conclave in London in 1865 by Robert Wentworth Little, an employee at Freemasons’ Hall. Since that time, this Chivalric Order has grown steadily with the formation of several sovereign Grand Conclaves throughout the world. The moral teachings of the Order are based upon the legendary influences that Christianity had upon the life of Constantine the Great, which culminated in his being baptised into the faith shortly before his death in 337 A.D.

Constantine’s father was one of four joint rulers of the Roman Empire, being the Caesar (Emperor) of the Western Province. Constantine had joined his father to quell an uprising in Britain. When his father died, Constantine was hailed as Caesar by the legions in York in 306 A.D, which was grudgingly accepted by the Augustus (Senior Emperor) in Rome. Following attempts to undermine his position by Maxentius in Rome, Constantine resolved to seek justice and retribution by marching on Rome with his army.

One day on the march to Rome, Constantine and his army saw what they believed was a sign from Heaven, a pillar of light in the sky in the form of a special cross, with an inscription foretelling victory. Constantine therefore had made a standard bearing a Cross like that seen, and ordered it to be carried before him in his battles. Following victory over Maxentius, the Senate proclaimed Constantine, Augustus Maximus (the Senior Emperor). Having later defeated the Augustus of the Eastern Province, Constantine became sole ruler of the Roman Empire. He then transferred the capital from Rome to Byzantium, later re-named Constantinople in his honour.

Constantine was the first Roman Emperor to openly embrace and encourage Christianity. At his instigation, several Councils of Bishops were established which laid down a firm basis of Christian liturgy and belief.

The first of our ceremonies consists of the Candidate’s admission, obligation and then installation as a Companion of the Red Cross of Constantine, in which the historical basis of the Order is also detailed.

The second ceremony, that of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre and St. John the Evangelist is undoubtedly amongst the most impressive in Masonry, an experience that is enhanced by the sword drill of the Sepulchre Guard. The presence of the Guard is a powerful reminder that this is not only a Masonic but also a Military and Chivalric Order. The ceremony culminates with an explanation of the ultimate aims of the Craft.

The Red Cross of Constantine, or more formally the Masonic and Military Order of the Red Cross of Constantine and the Appendant Orders of the Holy Sepulchre and of St John the Evangelist is a Christian Order of Freemasonry. Candidates must be members of Craft Freemasonry (Lodge) and Royal Arch Freemasonry (Chapter). They must also be members of the Christian religion, and ready to proclaim their belief in the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity

The Regalia for Knights consists of, as a minimum, a sash and a jewel and most Conclaves meet three times a year. There is also a special Conclave, ‘Viceroy’ Conclave (where membership is open to Knights who have made progress in the Order) and which can be visited by Knights of the Order.

Constantine, a Roman, was destined for the college of Emperors but following the death of his father, he was hailed by the Legions in York as Augustus and became the Governor of Britain and Gaul. After several successful battles across the Alps and Italy he eventually established himself as the lawful Emperor of both the East and West and transferred the capital of the empire from Rome to Byzantium, later to be named after him.

He was the first Roman Emperor to openly encourage Christianity. His conversion began one evening after a long day’s march with his army when, in what he believed was a sign from heaven, he and his army saw in the sky, and by the rays of th e setting sun, a pillar of light in the form of a special cross. To sanctify the minds of his pagan army, he had made a standard bearing a Cross like that seen and ordered it to 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.

Having been successful in battle it is said that Constantine with the help of his chief bishop, Eusebius, opened a Conclave of the Knights of the Order whose members became the bodyguard of their Sovereign.

Prospective Candidates must be a Master Mason, a Royal Arch Mason and a Trinitarian Christian. Constantine, a Roman, was destined for the college of Emperors, but following the death of his father, he was hailed by the Legions in York as Augustus and became the Governor of Britain and Gaul. After several successful battles across the Alps and Italy he eventually established himself as Emperor of both the East and West and transferred the capital of the empire from Rome to Byzantium, the latter afterwards to be renamed after him. It is said that his conversion to Christianity began one evening after a long day’s march with his army. He believed he saw a sign from heaven; a pillar of light in the form of a special cross. A standard bearing this cross was ordered to be carried before him in battle. 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. Having been uccessful in battle said that Constantine with the help of his chief bishop, Eusebius, opened a Conclave of the Knights of the Order, whose members became the bodyguard of their Sovereign.Versions of the Red Cross degree were being worked in Ireland, Scotland and the United States in the early eighteenth century and possibly earlier. In England, the order was reorganised in 1865 and the ceremonies rewritten. The first ceremony consists of the Candidate’s admission, obligation and Installation as a Knight-Companion of the Red Cross of Constantine, in which the historical basis of the Order is explained. Progression through the Offices of Viceroy and Sovereign involve two additional ‘chair’ degrees (Priest-Mason and Prince-Mason). When the Red Cross Order was reorganised in 1865, two Appendant Orders were added: Knights of the HolySepulchre, centred on St. Helena’s discovery of the True Cross, and Knight of St. John the Evangelist, based on an unsuccessful attempt to rebuild the Holy Temple at Jerusalem. These, are undoubtedly among the most impressive in the whole of Freemasonry.