The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

Chapter 7 - Rituals 461
2. receiving, and 3. constituting him a Knight-Companion. By this he will be
able to enjoy the prerogatives of a "Perfect Knight-Mason" (p. 31).
Then, the Most Puissant Sovereign seats the Worthy Knights and confides to
the newly-made knight the mysteries of the order. He translates the motto In Hoc
Signo Vinces, which is visible on the standard behind the throne, and explains
that the sixteen stars have a reference to the number of letters in these words (cf.
p. 32). He informs the new member that when standing to order in this degree,
the sword when drawn is held at the "Carry," otherwise the Knights-Companion
stand at "Attention" (cf. p. 32). The new Knight-Companion learns how to give
the first and the second part of the sign, as well as the complete form, and is
warned that the "Grand and Ineffable Word," which refers to the "Ascension and
Triumph of our Lord," and which allegedly was adopted by the College of
Architects in Rome as the word of their degree, is never to be pronounced until
he has sufficient proof by grip and sign that the other is entitled to receive it (cf.
p. 32/33).
Hereafter, the newly-entrusted Knight-Companion is conducted to the
Eminent Viceroy to be invested with the insignia, the "clothing of toil and care"
(p. 33). He is given the sword as an emblem of "spiritual warfare with sin," in
order to "wield it with Prudence and Zeal," should foes or false friends approach
the Sanctuary (cf. p. 34). Having received the sash, jewel, and sword on a
cushion, he is placed in his appointed stall between the Eminent Viceroy and the
Western Pillar, and the Herald proclaims his installation, whereupon the Worthy
Knights salute the newly-installed Knight-Companion with "three times 1 and 3"
(p. 35).
Now, the Orator recites the legend of the foundation of the order by the
Roman Emperor Constantine as a memorial of a Divine miracle: The Emperor, a
follower of the mysteries of the Collegium Artificium, called for Divine
assistance during his march on Rome. God heard his prayer and, as the sun was
setting, there appeared a pillar of light in the sky which had the form of a cross
with the inscription "I.H.S.V." The next day, Constantine ordered a royal
standard to be made which depicted this cross, and which should be carried
before him during his wars. Tradition has is that thereupon several Christians
among his soldiers came forward to avow their faith. The Emperor made them
wear on their armor a red cross with sixteen stars, denoting the letters of the
mystic words. When Constantine reached the Capital, he opened a conclave of
knights of the order with the help of Eusebius, these valiant knights forming his
personal bodyguards.
Finally, the Orator explains the floral emblems adopted by the founder for the
Divine Being, the rose, representing the Rose of Sharon, and the lily,
representing the Lily of the Valley (p. 37). Then, the new Knight-Companion is
conducted by the Marshal to the Most Puissant Sovereign, who shows him the
warrant and hands him copies of the General Statutes of the Grand Imperial
Conclave and of the By-Laws. Hereafter, the new member is escorted to his
place.