Copyrighted © 2017, Orient of California, all rights reserved
Scottish Rite Honours
Knight Commander Court of Honour: At the biennial session of the
Supreme Council certain Masters of the Royal Secret, having held that degree
for at least forty-six months prior to the session, are chosen to receive
the Rank and Decoration of Knights Commander of the Court of Honour.
These are chosen from the ranks of the Consistory for special
service to Masonry, or to mankind, by the Deputy or Sovereign Grand
Inspector General. The Knight Commander of the Court of Honour may be
recognized by the red cap they are entitled to wear. The rank of KCCH, if
petitioned or asked for, must be refused.
Thirty-Third Degree (33
o
), Inspector General Honorary: The Thirty-third
Degree is conferred by the Supreme Council upon members of the Rite in
recognition of outstanding work in the Rite or in public life. The 33° cannot
be asked for and if asked for must be refused. At its biennial session the
Supreme Council elects members of the Rite to receive the Degree. These
33° Masons are Inspectors General honorary and honorary members of the
Supreme Council. The active members of the Supreme Council are chosen
from among them.
Grand Cross Court of Honour: This is the highest individual honor
that The Supreme Council bestows. It is voted very rarely to Thirty-third
Degree Masons only for the most exceptional and extraordinary services.
The Grand Cross cap is white with a blue band. On the front is a replica of
the Grand Cross jewel, which is composed of a Teutonic Cross, with an
embroidered crimson rose with green leaves at its center.
Fifty-year Member recognition: It is a remarkable thing to be a member
of any organization for half of a century. even if a Brother has not entered
a Temple for 49 of those 50 years, he has still made an important contribution
to the world. His dues have helped to relieve worthy Brothers in distress. His
contributions have helped to teach thousands of children with learning
difficulties to read and communicate. He has helped to mend broken lives, and
that is no small thing. And if he has been an active member, working in the
Degrees, or on the stage crew, or in make-up or membership or community
outreach or the kitchen or in any of the hundreds of jobs necessary for the
Scottish Rite to exist and do its work, then he has made a major contribution
to the lives of many hundreds of Brethern and others.
Such men are entitled to honor and recognition. The blue 50-year cap
was designed for them.
Copyrighted © 2017, Orient of California, all rights reserved