Red Cross of Constantine

The Masonic and Military Order of the Red Cross of Constantine
and the Orders of the Holy Sepulchre and of St John the Evangelist

RCC Flight 300

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.

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 a cross was ordered 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.

It seems likely that the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine was being worked in England by 1780. After a number of changes to the organisation, the earliest documented date of the Order in its present form is 1865.

THE CEREMONIES
This Christian Order is in two parts. The first ceremony consists of the Candidate’s admission, obligation, and then the Installation as a Knight-Companion of the Red Cross of Constantine, in which the historical basis of the Order is also detailed.

In separate ceremonies the Knight-Companion builds on what he has already been taught and in the ceremony of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre and St. John the Evangelist this knowledge is further expanded and the ultimate aims of Freemasonry are revealed. These, together with the two Installation ceremonies leading to the principal Chairs in the Red Cross of Constantine, are undoubtedly among the most impressive ceremonies in the whole of Freemasonry.

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Red Cross of Constantine

Donation to the Barnsley Youth Choir

Ill.Kt. Frank Johnston, P.G.Pref. (West Yorkshire), was delighted to be able to have been able to present a cheque for £2,500 to the Barnsley Youth Choir at the Horizon Community College, Barnsley on Saturday, 10 August 2019. The Choir were busy performing a final pre-tour rehearsal and fund raising concert in preparation for the senior senior section of the choir going to South Africa for a very intense working tour this month, taking some 80 young people for a life changing experience.

Mat Wright, a founder and the Artistic Director of this very successful choir, received the donation with most grateful thanks and a prolonged applause by the young singers.

The photograph above show Ill.Kt. Johnston presenting the cheque to Mat Wright, on his right, with the I.G. on his left.

Barnsley Youth Choir, is a charity entirely run by volunteers. It seeks to provide outstanding opportunities for young people who live in Barnsley and to inspire and change lives through music and to provide life changing opportunities for those involved. Further information about the charity and what they do can be found at: https://www.barnsleyyouthchoir.org.uk/about-us

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Rulers

M.Ill.Kt. Graham L. Flight, G.C.C.
Grand Sovereign

R.Ill. & Em.Kt. Christopher John Macdonald, G.C.C.
Deputy Grand Sovereign

R.Ill. & Ven.Kt. The Revd Timothy J. N. L'Estrange, G.C.C.
Grand Eusebius

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