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

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Chapter 7 - Rituals
The initiation ceremonies for the second and third degrees are given in a
single proceeding. These ceremonies of advancement are called "enthronement
of a Sovereign" and "consecration of a Viceroy" (p. 39). Both officers-elect have
to be Knights of the Appendant Orders of the Holy Sepulchre and of St. John the
Evangelist; further, the Most Puissant Sovereign must have executed the office
of Viceroy in a regular Conclave.
At first, the Marshal presents the Most Puissant Sovereign-elect to the Most
Puissant Sovereign, and asks that he may be "enthroned in the Imperial Seat of
Constantine" (p. 39). The Most Puissant Sovereign asks the officer-elect to
promise upon his honor as a Christian Knight 1. to promote the true happiness of
his brother Knights, 2. not to confer knighthood upon anyone not of the Christian
Religion, or not conforming to the laws and precepts, 3. to promote the general
good of the order, 4. to preserve the solemnity of the ceremonies, 5. not to
acknowledge or visit any Conclave without a recognized constitutional charter,
6. to maintain and support the authority of the Grand Imperial Conclave and to
obey its edicts and statutes, and 7. to bind his successor the observance of these
rules (cf. p. 40/41). Upon the candidate's affirmation, the latter is conducted to a
seat in the Conclave, and the Marshal presents the Eminent Viceroy-elect, who
wishes to be created "a lawful successor of the Venerable Eusebius" (p. 41). The
Most Puissant Sovereign congratulates the Conclave on their choice, and the
Viceroy-elect is led to a seat. The Most Puissant Sovereign now requests all
Knights below the rank of Eusebius to retire. Then follow the consecration and
enthronement ceremonies, which are not given in this ritual. Hereafter, the
Knights-Companions are admitted again, and form line in the North and South.
The Marshal leads the Herald to the South-East where they face West, and the
Herald proclaims that the new Most Puissant Sovereign has been elected, after
which the Worthy Knights salute the latter with three times 1 and 3. Then, the
Marshal conducts the Herald to the South-West where they face East, and the
Herald makes known that the new Eminent Viceroy has been elected. The
Worthy Knights great him not with a salute, but with a sign called "S. of D" (p.
43). The new Most Puissant Sovereign is entrusted with the Warrant of the
Conclave and the General Statutes and By-Laws. Then, the officers of the
Conclave are appointed and invested.