The Ancient and Accepted Rite

(“Rose Croix”)

The Ancient and Accepted Rite (“Rose Croix”)

Under the Supreme Council 33° Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Rite for England and Wales and its Districts and Chapters Oversea

When considering the many orders and degrees beyond the craft and the Royal Arch, it’s evident that membership in the Ancient and Accepted Rite stands out as the epitome of Freemasonry for many individuals.

The ritual is based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, in particular the period from Good Friday to Easter Sunday (the” Easter Story”). It encourages charity and fraternal love.

Having been exclusively Christian since its inception in 1845 the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Rite for England and Wales and its Districts and Chapters overseas, declared that with effect from 1st March 2024 the order was open to Master Masons of six months seniority or longer and to all faiths.

The term Rose Croix is a colloquial one used to call the 18th degree (Knight of the Pelican and Eagle, Sovereign Prince Rose Croix of Heredom) and is often used to represent the whole 33- degree masonic system of The Ancient and Accepted Rite.

The first three degrees in Craft masonry are taken as equivalent to the first three degrees of the Rite. In private chapters, the 4th to the 17th are conferred by name but the 18th is the ceremony conducted in full (in extenso). Higher degrees from 30th to the 33rd are conferred by the nine members of Supreme Council at the Grand East, its headquarters at 10 Duke Street St. James’s.

The Grand Patron of the order is Most Puissant Brother H.R.H. the Duke of Kent KG, 33°.

The District of Middlesex comprises 12 chapters spread over the four meeting places Twickenham, Harrow, Uxbridge, and Southgate.

The England and Wales jurisdiction is divided into Districts or Groups, each under an Inspector General. In the District of Middlesex, which was founded in 1946, the Inspector General is Very Illustrious Brother Dr. Robert Bethel, 33° and the District Recorder is Illustrious Brother Justin Purcell, 31° who may be contacted by those interested in the Order at dr.middlesex@gmail.com

Meeting PlaceChapter NameNo
Harrow Byron370
HarrowArgus Pax Vobiscum858
SouthgateLeeson21
SouthgateSouthgate674
Twickenham St. Christopher274
TwickenhamCentenary377
TwickenhamAll Hallows460
TwickenhamCubic Stone848
TwickenhamUndivided Trinity888
TwickenhamMiddlesex Sovereigns1063
TwickenhamConcorde1101
UxbridgeSerenity696

For further details about membership of the Order in one of the above Chapters, please contact the District Recorder

Illustrious Brother Justin E. Purcell, 31°
Telephone: 07939 390 220 or 01923 450 371 and E-mail: dr.middlesex@gmail.com

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