The Grand Priory of the Holy City of the Rectified Scottish Rite of England and Wales

The qualification for membership of the Order is that of being a Knight Templar, but membership is by invitation only. The Rite consists of six degrees, with the first three being considered as equivalent to the three degrees of the Craft, while the fourth degree of Scottish Master is conferred in two parts within a Lodge of St Andrew, and the fifth and sixth degrees, which constitute the Inner Order, culminate in the supreme degree of ‘Knight Beneficent of the Holy City’. Historically, the Order evolved from the Rite of Strict Observance, officially erected in Germany c.1752 and initially it spread rapidly. At an Assembly held in 1782 at Wilhelmsbad, Germany, the Order was reformed into the Rectified Scottish Rite. Over the next 100 years, with the effect of the French Revolution and general political unrest, Provinces of the Order became successively dormant. By 1885, the Grand Priory of Helvetia had become the only surviving body and by right became the Sovereign Authority, with its seat at Zurich. In 1937, Grand Priory of Helvetia granted letters patent to the Grand Priory of the Temple of England to form a Grand Priory of the Order in England, but until 2007 membership was tiny, conferred only at the Preceptory of St George No. 1 in London. Meanwhile, Grand Priories were also established in the USA, Belgium and elsewhere and English freemasons frequently travelled to Belgium to enter the Order. In 2006, the Grand Master of the Grand Priory of the Temple in London, who was also Grand Master of the Order in England, decided to expand the membership. Accordingly, in 2007, St James’s Lodge of Scottish Masters of St Andrew was Consecrated to facilitate admission of brethren into the fourth degree of the Rite. Later that year, the Grand Master proceeded to implement the Consecration of four Prefectures, each with three constituent Lodges of Scottish Masters of St Andrew. Since that time the Lodges have grown at a steady and controlled rate, with particular emphasis being placed upon the quality and suitability of proposed aspirants.

It is an undisputed fact that admission into the Scottish Rectified Rite is a privilege which is only extended to brethren of The Temple who have demonstrated, by their general demeanour and qualities of humility and dignity, that they are worthy of consideration for membership of this unique Christian Order. The Rite consists of six degrees, with the first three being considered as equivalent to the three degrees of the Craft, while the fourth degree of Scottish Master is conferred in two parts within a Lodge of St Andrew, and the fifth and sixth degrees, which constitute the Inner Order, culminating in the ‘Knight Beneficent of the Holy City’ supreme degree of the Rite.

You can shop The Scottish Masters of St Andrew Apron by click on the image above.

On Thursday, 12 September, the Grand Priory of Knights Beneficent of the Holy City held its annual meeting at Mark Masons' Hall, drawing Knights from across the constitution and abroad. The day began with an Emergency Meeting of the Prefectory of St George at London No. 1, where Squire Novice Charles Aspinell, Provincial Prior of Hampshire and Isle of Wight, led a group of 12 Squire Novices commissioned as Knights Beneficent of the Holy City. The ceremony, conducted by Grand Master Dr. Vivian Thomas and his team, was marked by a personal touch. Later, the Grand Master re-opened Grand Priory, where he was re-elected and re-proclaimed. Promotions and appointments to Grand Rank followed, and Dr. Thomas paid tribute to his predecessor, Michael Edward Herbert, who passed away in August, acknowledging his lasting legacy. The Grand Master urged continued support for local Lodges and thanked contributors to the event's success. The meeting concluded with hymns and a collection for Alms, after which the Knights dined and departed.

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