| Degrees of Freemasonry
The Honorable Order of American Co-Masonry, heir to the
ancient traditions whose wise principles, moral force and
discipline it has maintained, has preserved the rules of the
past used by the first Masonic Orders, also the signs, grips,
sacred words and passwords of the Ancient and Accepted
Scottish and York Rite, employed as a means of recognition by
a large number of the Freemasons scattered throughout the
world.
All members of the Order form but one family of Brothers,
and are part of an Institution which permits them to be
recognized by Freemasons of whatsoever Rite and to recognize
also all Freemasons throughout the world.
The Masonic Degrees consist of the thirty-three degrees of
the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in addition to the
Royal Arch Degrees of the Ancient and Accepted York Rite.
These are designated as follows:
Craft
Masonry "Symbolic Degrees"
1° - Entered Apprentice
2° - Fellowcraft
3° - Master Mason
York Masonry "Chapter Degrees"
Mark Master Mason
Ark Mariner
Excellent Master
Holy Royal Arch of Jerusalem
Lodge of
Perfection "Ineffable Degrees"
4° - Secret Master
5° - Perfect Master
6° - Intimate Secretary
7° - Provost & Judge
8° - Intendant of the Building
9° - Master Elect of Nine
10° - Master Elect of Fifteen
11° - Sublime Master Elect
12° - Grand Master Architect
13° - Royal Arch of Enoch
14° - Grand Elect of the Sacred Vault of James IV or Sublime Mason
Chapter
Rose Croix "Historic Degrees"
15° - Knight of the East
16° - Prince of Jerusalem
17° - Knight of the East & West
18° - Knight of Rose Croix
Council
Kadosh "Philosophical and chivalric
Degrees"
19° - Grand Pontiff or Sublime Scottish Knight
20° - Sovereign Prince or Master ad Vitam
21° - Noachite or Prussian Knight
22° - Prince of Lebanon or Royal Axe
23° - Chief of the Tabernacle
24° - Prince of the Tabernacle
25° - Knight of the Brazen Serpent
26° - Prince of Mercy
27° - Sovereign Commander of the Temple
28° - Knight of the Sun, Prince Adept
29° - Knight of Saint Andrew
30° - Knight Kadosh
Consistory
"Official and Ceremonial Degrees"
31° - Grand Inspector Inquisitor
32° - Sublime Master of the Royal Secret
Court of
Honor "Honorary Degrees"
33° - Grand Inspector General
Degrees are conferred on merit and ability. Specific requirements,
such as time and examination, are necessary to
progress, but ultimately one's commitment to their brethren in
particular and in the Order in General will grant them access
to higher degrees. For example, to attain the 32nd Degree, a
Freemason must be a Master Mason for at least 14 years, have
been elected Master of Lodge and served the Supreme Council
with satisfaction.
The Supreme Council may, at any time, authorize the
establishment of other Masonic bodies not practiced.
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