AN INTRODUCTION to the ”SWEDISH RITE” and a Brief Historic Account of the Orders of Freemasons Within This Rite

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ”SWEDISH RITE” and a brief Historic account of the Orders of Freemasons within this rite

Version 8 – DDFO

The Swedish Rite

INTRODUCTION

The four Grand Lodges in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland are all working “The Swedish Rite” which was developed in Stockholm during the second half of the 18th century and finished in the year 1800 under the leadership of Duke Carl, later King Carl XIII. The four Orders, Swedish Order of Freemasons (SFMO), Danish Order of Freemasons (DDFO), The Norwegian Order of Freemasons (DNFO) and The Icelandic Order of Freemasons (IFMO), are all sovereign Masonic bodies working the same rituals.

In Finland there is a Grand Chapter which as a part of the Swedish Order of Freemasons is working The Swedish Rite.

The Swedish Rite has its foundation for the work follows a manuscript origin in the work led by in The Swedish Rite. when working a Lodge first Carl Friedrich Eckleff but some parts of the It is a progressive, and subsequently Duke ritual must be memorised continuous and Carl of Södermanland and performed by heart. homogenous system (the later King Carl XIII through its eleven of Sweden) during the degrees. Each degree second half of the 18th leads to the next and each century and finished in degree sums up the 1800. contents of the preceding degrees. To ensure that each degree is kept separate and distinct, different lodge rooms are used, each specially designed for its degree. The way of working is also The system is grouped unique, based on the into three divisions with lodge room, the ritual and ten degrees altogether, the individual which every brother can examination in each reach eventually. The rituals and the degree. Progression through the fundamental laws of Carl degrees is slow, especially XIII governing the system There is one ritual for in the higher degrees, still constitute – with few advancement in each although with some modifications – the degree and the Worshipful Master variation between the four countries. A brother reach the sixth degree in In The Swedish Rite the will typically reach the X about four to six years. brother is supposed to be degree after some 12-20 searching for his personal CHAPTER DEGREES years’ time after his entry development and to (VII – X): as an apprentice in the St practice friendship and John’s Lodge. The last charity. He is supposed to Very Illustrious (XI) degree called Knight 7th degree accept the Christian faith. Brother Commander of the Red During his travel through Cross is almost Most Illustrious 8th degree the degrees he is exclusively for officers in Brother supposed to grow in his the Grand Lodge. own understanding of the Enlightened Brother 9th degree ST JOHN’S (CRAFT) of St. John’s Lodge basic principles of DEGREES (I – III): Religion and Christianity Very Enlightened that should bring value to 10th degree Brother of St. 1st degree Apprentice Andrew’s Lodge his life and develop his nd relation to his fellow 2 degree Fellow Craft brother. In this way he is 3rd degree Master Mason This division is related to rituals in Great Priories also to grow in his understanding of- and his This division is closely and Supreme Councils belief in God. He is related to the rituals in but has its own rituals guided closer to the Craft lodges and the and lodge rooms. answers to eternal normal time for a brother questions: Where do I is to be a raised Master in come from, what is my two to three years. task in life and where am ST ANDREW’S I heading? (SCOTTISH) During the whole DEGREES (IV-VI): progress from the first degree to the tenth, the Very Worshipful 4th degree / brother is member of the Apprentice and The Chapter also includes same Order. Each the final (XI) degree: division of degrees: the St 5th degree Fellow of St Andrew Most Enlightened John’s Lodge, the St Brother, Knight & Andrew’s Lodge and the Illustrious Scottish Commander of the Chapter, enjoys a certain 6th degree Master of St Andrew Red Cross. This degree amount of autonomy, but is almost exclusively for they are under the rule of This division is somewhat officers in the Grand the Sovereign Grand related to Mark Master Lodge and Provincial Master / Commander. Masons and Royal Arch, Grand Masters. respectively, but has its The Swedish Rite is own rituals and lodge explicitly based on rooms. A brother can Christianity.

The Danish Order of Freemasons

Freemasonry arrived in Denmark when five Master Masons met in Copenhagen on November 11, 1743, and founded a lodge which would later be named St Martin. The following year, brethren from St Martin left it to found another lodge, which obtained a constitution from the Grand Lodge in London in 1745 and exists to this day under the name Z&F as the oldest masonic lodge in operation in the Nordic countries. Rite. A similar development Master by Prince Christian had occurred in the Strict Frederik who three years later Observance lodges in France in succeeded to the Danish throne 1778, and the Rite Écossais as King Christian VIII in 1839. Rectifié (Rectified Scottish Rite, He was Grand Master until his RER) survived in Switzerland death in 1848 and was from where it has spread to succeeded by his son, King other countries in recent Frederik VII. decades.

In 1775, Prince Carl of Hessen In the early years, the lodges was initiated as a freemason, worked a German variant of the and he was the superior of rites used in England. In 1765, Danish freemasonry in Danish freemasonry joined the Denmark from his initiation Christian high-degree rite until his death in 1836. From called Strict Observance under 1765 to 1792, however, Danish In 1852, King Frederik VII German leadership. The Strict freemasonry was technically sanctioned that the new lodge Observance rite underwent a subordinate to the leadership in Kosmos in Helsingør could major revision in 1782 and Germany. Prince Carl was start working according to the became known as the Rectified succeeded as Danish Grand Swedish Rite. That happened in 1853, and in the same year King John’s Lodge in Copenhagen During the 20th century, a Frederik VII constituted a grew and split several times. number of irregular lodges were temporary Danish Grand Lodge The prosperity was stimulated founded. In 1959, the Danish with the task of preparing the by the great interest of the royal Order of Freemasons entered a transition to working the Grand Masters, King Frederik treaty with the St John’s Lodge Swedish Rite in all Danish VIII and his sons, King Association which now consists lodges. On January 6, 1855, the Christian X and Prince Harald, of three Lodges working the formal shift took place at a who one after the other led the three craft degrees according to special meeting of the Grand Danish Order of Freemasons Schröder’s Rite. In 1961, the Lodge in Copenhagen – this is from 1872 until 1949. Danish Order of Freemasons the origin of the New Year’s entered another treaty with the Festival of the Danish Order of Guild of Ancient, Free and Freemasons as it is celebrated Accepted Masons of Denmark today. Also in 1855 the first who work the three craft Danish St Andrew’s Lodge degrees according to the rites called Cubus Frederici Septimi approved by the United Grand (CFS) was founded in Lodge of England. Today, the Helsingør, only to move to Guild of Ancient, Free and Copenhagen two years later. Accepted Masons of Denmark consists of 40 Lodges as well as On November 16, 1858, the a Lodge of Research. St John’s proper Grand Lodge of Lodge Association and the Denmark was constituted Guild of Ancient, Free and according to the fundamental Accepted Masons of Denmark laws of the Swedish Rite, and Today, the Danish Order of do not require that their hence, work in the Swedish Rite Freemasons is divided into members confess Christianity. chapter degrees could begin. three Districts, of which one is However, if a Master Mason of The transition was completed led by the Grand Lodge of these Lodges is Christian, he on March 22, 1862, when King Denmark in Copenhagen, while can join a St Andrew’s Lodge Frederik VII appointed the first the other two are led by the and, subsequently, a Chapter of Knights and Commanders of Provincial Grand Lodges of the Danish Order of the Red Cross in Denmark, the Odense (founded 1881) and Freemasons. XI and highest degree of the Aarhus (founded 1959), Swedish Rite. The treaties imply that Lodges respectively. There are 48 St belonging to the Association or John’s Lodges and 11 St the Guild recognize the Grand Andrew’s Lodges in full Master of the Danish Order of operation and another 23 Freemasons as their superior Instructive Lodges of St John and, hence, are part of the and St Andrew which are fully amity between the Danish equipped for ritual meetings, Order of Freemasons and but not for initiation and United Grand Lodge of England promotion. In addition to the and, more generally, the world- Grand Chapter in Copenhagen wide amity of the Grand Lodges and the two Chapters of the of regular freemasonry. In 1855 there were only three St Provincial Grand Lodges there John’s Lodges in operation, but are two minor Chapters In total, the Danish Order of the following century saw a promoting brethren to the VII Freemasons today has significant growth of degree and three Instructive approximately 9,000 members. freemasonry in Denmark with Chapters. Additionally, a Lodge new lodges appearing across of Research was founded in the country, while the one St 1997.

The Swedish Order of Freemasons

History of the Order

In the early 18th Century Freemasonry spread from Britain to the Continent, where it took many forms. Many Swedes were initiated in France and Germany, and received permission to introduce these workings at home.

Freemasonry was brought to To bring some order out of Lodges were regularised or Sweden by Count Axel chaos Count Carl Fredrik closed down, their members Wrede- Scheffer lent his authority to joining regular Lodges. Sparre, a the establishment in 1752 of During the 1750’s new Cavalry the first regular St. Jean Lodges were established and officer Auxiliaire (St. John the several of these opened their who Baptist’s) Lodge in doors to members of other during Stockholm by Count Knut social classes. military Posse. Wrede-Sparre and service in most of the brethren in his In the 1730’s it was claimed Paris had lodge adhered to the new that Freemasonry was been initiated in 1731. After lodge, and the rituals and descended from the returning to Sweden with other documents of his lodge Christian Chivalries of the authority to operate the three were given to the new lodge. past, from the rebuilding of degrees he brought together Count Scheffer who had been churches in Jerusalem after some friends who like him initiated in the Craft in 1737 their destruction and from had been initiated abroad. In in Paris, was elected National such orders as that of St. 1735 he initiated in a private Grand Master in 1753. John of Jerusalem. This lodge in Stockholm his He had received an started many thoughts brother-in-law Count Carl open letter or patent in and new curious Gustaf Tessin. Most of the Paris in 1737 from degrees, also in brethren joining the Wrede- Charles Radclyffe, Earl Sweden. Sparre Lodge belonged to the of Derwentwater to In 1754 the Clermont higher Swedish nobility. The issue warrants for new rite was founded, and meetings appear to have lodges in Sweden. it is these rituals, which ceased towards the end of formed the basis of the St. the decade. The St. Jean Auxiliaire Lodge was referred to as the Andrew’s degrees whose At the beginning of the ‘Mother Lodge of Sweden’ initiates bear the title of 1750’s there were quite a and considered itself entitled Scottish Brother or Scottish large number of Freemasons as the only legal Masonic Master or Maître Ecossais. In in Sweden who had been body in Sweden to issue 1756 the Royal Secretary Carl initiated by Wrede-Sparre or warrants to new lodges. Friedrich Eckleff, who held a abroad. But confusion Masonic activity increased foreign patent authorizing reigned in Swedish Masonry. considerably; clandestine him to form new lodges, together with six brethren formed the Scottish Lodge Duke Carl began studying In 1780 Duke Carl created l'Innocente in Stockholm the whole system and the the IXth Masonic Province working in the Scottish St. sources of the rituals. He got (IX Frimurare Provinsen), of Andrew degrees. This was in touch with those who which the National Grand the beginning of the Swedish worked the system in Lodge of Sweden was the system. Germany, especially with main body, renamed in 1937 Baron Carl G. von Hund, the Swedish Order of who had devoted himself to Freemasons (Svenska perfecting the Templar Frimurare Orden). Orders of Clermont. As a result the Convention of Wilhemsbad was called to rectify the Scottish Master's degrees. This was attended by Swedish Masons, and though contact with Germany was later broken, The next step in the Duke Carl remained in development of Swedish touch, and eventually gave Freemasonry was taken by Sweden a real system of Eckleff in 1759, when he Masonry, not just a established a Grand Chapter collection of degrees. It was l’Innocence in Stockholm. It during this period that the has not been possible to Chapter working was ascertain the origin of the extended, though Eckleff's By a series of ritual revisions, patent and of the rituals. The documents still remained the began in the late 1770’s he by Grand Lodge of Sweden basis of the rituals. 1800 had created a logical (Svenska Stora Landslogen) Masonic system with ten was established in 1760 and degrees, each degree leading was recognized as a National unerringly to the next, even Grand Lodge in 1770 and up to the final and highest, 1799 by the Grand Lodge of because each contains the England. germ of the succeeding degree. Baron Eckleff established a Masonic system on a Freemasonry in Sweden has Christian basis. The moral continued to develop under philosophy of the Swedish the leadership of their Grand rite was further developed by Masters, all of them Duke Carl of Södermanland belonging to the Royal House (later King Carl XIII of from 1774 until 1997. Sweden) who succeeded Eckleff in 1774 as Grand

Master of the Swedish Freemasonry.

The Norwegian Order of Freemasons

Introduction to Freemasonry in Norway and how it became Swedish Rite; A brief background to the development of Freemasonry in Norway

Masonry in Norway is closely linked to the development of masonry in Denmark, England and Sweden. The first era of freemasonry in Norway and the introduction of masonic work is identical to what happened in Denmark. Norway and Denmark was a union of countries and the administration of the two entities was placed in Copenhagen. Only a few men were initiated into freemasonry. Those few were either soldiers or tradesmen. The soldiers had connections to Germany and the tradesmen to England. This handful of men was either initiated in English ruled lodges in Hamburg or in London.

Organised freemasonry came to Stricte Observans for some years wanted to create a masonic body Copenhagen in 1743 with the until the Rectified Rite was that had a rule independent of the consecration of St. Martin and in introduced under the supervision Swedish Grand Lodge a channel Christiania (now Oslo) in 1749 of Prince Charles of Hessen that was set up with the Grand Lodge with the consecration of St Olai was governor in Norway on behalf in Bayreuth in Germany. A patent Lodge. of the Danish King. to consecrate Lodge St Olaf was granted on St Johns day in 1882. Both lodges was consecrated using In 1814 Norway was transferred Later 5 more lodges were the patent Christian Conrad from the union with Denmark, as a consecrated using this patent. The Danneskiold-Laurvig had obtained part of settlement after the ritual was named “Polar Star rite” in London. Napoleonic war, into a joint rule under the Swedish King. The Swedish King Oscar II, During the first years, St Olai supported Norwegian masonry Lodge used an English ritual. The At this time Niels Treschow was a extensively until Norway got its Lodge gained some popularity and university professor, a government independence from Sweden in initiated more than 25 brethren minister and Worshipful Master of 1905 and the first all Norwegian and by the year 1772 they had a St Olai Lodge and shortly after Grand Master Johan Gottfried membership of more than 25 (1818) the Swedish Rite was Conradi was installed in 1905. Master Masons. introduced with success in Norway and the rule of Norwegian The lodges working the Swedish The English connection was later masonry was as well transferred rite and the Lodges working the underlined when a group of from the Grand Master Prince Polar Star rite joined forces in 1947 Norwegian patrons and tradesmen Charles in Denmark to the and has since shared the was initiated into the Royal Arch Swedish King Charles XIV Johns management and the rule of the Chapter at Freemasons Tavern in rule. same Grand Master. London in 1784 and brought home a patent to start the Royal Arch In 1891 the Grand Lodge of Today the Norwegian Order of Chapter Dovre. This is today Norway was consecrated and had Freemasons has 16000 members probably the oldest preserved RA at the time 4 prospering lodges across 63 St Johns (Craft) Lodges, ritual in Europe. The Dovre working in Oslo, Bergen, 19 St Andrews Lodges and 4 Chapter was closed down in 1803 Trondheim and Drammen. Chivalric Chapters all headed by due to too few joining members. the Sovereign Grand Master/ A part of the unrest in the struggle Commander. After a break in its work St Olai for independence between Norway Lodge started up again and used and Sweden masons in Norway

The Icelandic Order of Freemasons

The Icelandic Order of Freemasons was formally consecrated and established July 23, 1951, in a solemn opening ceremony in Reykjavík, the national capital of Iceland.

Icelandic brethren had previously participated in The Danish Order of Freemasons, as Iceland was a part of a common kingdom with Denmark, and high representatives of The Danish Order of Freemasons participated in the opening ceremony.

The first President of The the canopy of heaven during became a Lodge of Republic of the bright Icelandic summer Instruction, these formal steps Iceland, Mr. night. A German brother who being parts of the preparation Sveinn participated has described and development towards an Björnsson, that meeting held exactly on established Sct. John´s Lodge was the first the Arctic Circle as within the Swedish Rite of Grand Master unforgettable. Freemasonry which is and Supreme operated in Denmark and Commander Iceland as well as in Sweden, of The Icelandic Order of Norway, partly in Finland, and Freemasons. with close ties to Northern Germany. The first Icelander known to have become a freemasonic The Swedish Rite of brother did so in Copenhagen, Freemasonry was formalized Denmark, in 1796, and the and initiated at the end of the second one in 1817, also in A Fraternity Association of eighteenth century under the Copenhagen. Since then there Icelandic brethren was supervision of Grand Duke is an unbroken chain of established and formally Carl, later King Carl XIII of Icelandic brethren in the opened November 15, 1913, in Sweden. According to the brotherhood. Reykjavík as a part of The Swedish Rite the Order of Freemasons in each country The first freemasonic lodge Danish Order of Freemasons. Most of the Icelandic brethren constitutes one over-all meeting in Iceland was held organization through all the by a group of Norwegian at that time were brethren in the Lodge “Z and F”- degrees, from Sct. John´s to brethren on Sct. John´s Sct. Andrew´s to Consistory or day June 24, 1900, in a Zorobabel and Frederik to the Crowned Hope - Grand Lodge degrees, with whaling station in one Grand Master and Northwestern Iceland. in Copenhagen. In the fraternal group there Supreme Commander, in one Again, these Norwegian were also Icelandic person, for each national brethren held another brethren in lodges in Order. Brethren in the formal lodge meeting North-America and Swedish Rite must confess the June 24, 1902, on Cape Scotland. Christian faith, with no Hornbjarg, the northernmost prerequisite concerning promontory of Iceland, under January 6, 1918, Epiphany religious denomination or day, the Fraternity Association affiliation. January 6, 1919, also on Because of the second World In 2016 there are 18 Sct. Epiphany day, the first fully War the brethren in Iceland John´s Lodges in Iceland, consecrated Sct. John´s Lodge had to assume all supervision among them a research lodge of Freemasons was formally and governing of freemasonic and a daylight lodge, as also opened in Reykjavík. The work in the country from lodges in all main parts of the lodge has the name "Edda" 1940, as all communication country outside of the capital which is taken from the with Denmark was closed Reykjavík. There are six Sct. Icelandic mediaeval collection during the war. As mentioned Andrew´s Lodges, three of Nordic mythological and above, the first President of Lodges of Instruction, and one heroic poetry. There were The Republic of Iceland was Consistory Grand Lodge. fourteen founding brethren. the first Grand Master and Supreme Commander, as was In 2016 there are 3,546 Since then freemasonic work also later the second President brethren in Iceland, out of a has continued in Iceland with of Iceland. nation of approximately a growing number of lodges 335,000. and brethren. The most important achievement is, of course, the formal opening of The Icelandic Order of Freemasons as a fully sovereign body, July 23, 1951, as mentioned above.

Swedish Rite Aprons (I°-XI°):

ST.JOHN’S DEGREES: ST.ANDREW’S DEGREES:

IV- I° VIII° V°

II° VI° IX°

CHAPTER DEGREES: III° X°

VII°

XI°

Principal Organisation

The Masonic bodies in each of the Nordic countries is a supreme entity with full sovereignty over own masonic organisation. The structure of the Orders is somewhat similar, and the organizations can be seen below.

The Order / Grand Master + High / Supreme Grand Lodge Council

XI° X° CHAPTER IX° DEGREES VIII° VII°

LODGES OF VI° ST. ANDREWS' IV-V° DEGREES

III° LODGES OF ST. II° JOHN'S DEGREES I°

High Council (“Supreme Council”) With a few local variations between the countries, the following highest (Grand) Officers are members of the “High Council” (a.k.a. Supreme Council) which is an Advisory Board to the Grand Master. Most of these Grand Officers also manage one of the “Departments” a.k.a “Directories” which form the national masonic Organisation of the Grand Lodge.

Deputy Grand Master / SMP "Pro Grand Master"

SMS Deputy Master of the Grand Chapter

Grand Chancellor OSB/OSK Deputy Master of the Grand Chapter

OHP Grand Prelate

VOHP Deputy Grand Prelate

ORM /OR Grand Director of Finances

OSMAR/OS Grand Marshal

Grand Master Grand OADM/OA Grand Administrator

OTM/OU Grand Inspector

OOA/OÖ Grand Architect

OBF Grand Standard Bearer

PMx Provicial Grand Master(s)

Published in cooperation between

The Norwegian Order of Freemasons – http://frimurer.no/ The Swedish Order of Freemasons - https://www.frimurarorden.se/ The Danish Order of Freemasons – http://www.ddfo.dk The Icelandic Order of Freemasons - http://www.frmr.is/

Danish Order of Freemasons | Grand Lodge of Denmark The Chancellery | Blegdamsvej 23 | DK-2100 Copenhagen O | [email protected]

2017