In this part 210, the Knight of the Red Cross of Constantine certificate
The Arch of Constantine
The illustration of the certificate is modelled upon the Arch of Constantine although the ornamentation is completely different from that of the original. The arch was erected in 315 AD by a decree of the Senate (SPQR) to commemorate the great victory over Maxentius at the battle of the Milvian Bridge (Saxa Rubra) on the 28th of October 312 AD and to mark his recognition as Augustus Maximus.
It carries the inscription proclaiming the candidate’s membership of the Order in English under the centre arch and a similar inscription in Latin beneath the smaller side arches.
The Dates
The certificate is dated A.D. (Anno Domini – Year of our Lord), A.L. (Anno Lucis – Year of the Masonic Light) and A.O. (Anno Ordinis – Year of the Order).
You will notice that the date A.L. is four years more than the 4 000 years by which it is said in Craft Masonry to precede the Christian era. It was James Usher, an Irish Archbishop and scholar, who lived in the sixteenth century, who calculated the date of the Creation as the year 4004.
The Keystones
The two outer keystones are plain, whereas the central keystone bears the Chi and the Rho, the sacred monogram, or the first two Greek letters for Christ. It is found also on the Labarum Standard beside the throne of the Viceroy.
There is some uncertainty as to what Constantine adopted after his vision before the battle. Either the Chi and the Rho or the Cross with sixteen stars.
Each spandrel of the main arch bears a winged Victory holding a laurel crown.
Four Corinthian columns representing Beauty support the superstructure.
At the foot of the columns, you will find the three principal Masonic symbols, representing the Master of the Lodge and his two wardens and the Cross of Jerusalem, which is a Cross Potent with four smaller Crosses Potent within the arms of the larger Cross, alluding to the five wounds of Christ. The Jerusalem Cross was first adopted by Baldwin the Crusader as the official badge of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and ever since has been associated with the Holy Sepulchre itself.
The Star of David
Below the keystone of the central arch, we can see a hexagram known as the Seal of Solomon or the Star of David or also known as the Star of the Trinity, which as a Royal Arch Companion, you are already familiar.
The Bible
Under the Star of David, the Sacred Book resting on a cushion and carrying two Roman swords in saltire, hilts to the East, on which a new knight takes his obligation. This is a constant reminder to maintain Fidelity.
The Badge of the Order
In the more imposing central position, spanning the architrave and the frieze of the entablature is the badge of the Order as we have on the banner of Constantine.
It is a Cross Fleuree or Cross Flory, the Cross worn by the Knights of the Order, and the initials of the mystic words with the sixteen stars. Note the two headed eagle, the triangle, emblem of Trinity. An imperial crown surmounts it.
The Cornice
The various figures reveal more of the symbolism of the Order. They are a combination of military and religious figures.
- Minerva
In the first frame, sitting with her shield at her side and holding an owl, is Minerva, known by the Greeks as Athena, daughter of Zeus and goddess of wisdom.
She is also associated with many crafts and skills and also accepted as a patron deity of war. For this last reason, she usually appears, clad in full armour with shield, helmet and spear. She also wears the aegis, which is a goatskin breastplate with tassels.
The shield bears the Sacred Symbol (Chi and the Rho), but in ancient mythology, it would have portrayed the head of the Gorgon.
- The Novice
In the second frame, the figure suggests the vigil of a novice, usually on the eve of the battle, prior to receiving the honours of Knighthood.
- The Bowman
In the third frame, the figure represents a bowman with a dog, believed to represent Apollo the God of prophesy, who was acknowledged to be a destroyer of and protector against evil. Constantine was known in his youth to have held this deity in high regards.
- Helena
In the fourth frame, we see Helena the mother of Constantine, who was later canonised in recognition of her services to Christianity. She is shown here receiving the Crown of Faith from the Theological Virtue of that name who is also holding the Palm of Peace.
Perhaps these four smaller pictures represent wisdom (the owl), honour (the knightly vigil), bravery (the bowman) and finally triumph (the laurel wreath).
The next slightly larger figures are:
- The Pilgrim
The first figure represents a pilgrim bearing a Latin cross, reminding all knights of their admission into the Order.
- Eusebius
The Venerable Eusebius is next depicted.
There were two Bishops Eusebius, contemporaries of Constantine.
- Bishop of Caeserea
Wrote the history of the early Christian Church
Constantine’s biographer
Constantine spoke to him about his vision and the Labarum
Died about 348 A.D.
- Bishop of Nicomedia
Baptised Constantine on his deathbed in 337 A.D., not uncommon practise.
Died in 342 A.D.
Arian Heresy (nature of Christ) was resolved at the great Council of Nicaea, called by Constantine in 325 A.D. It is impossible to decide which bishop actually joined the march on Rome and assisted in the formation of the Order.
- Euterpe
This figure, holding a lyre, is Euterpe, the Muse of Music.
- The Roman legionary
The last figure is that of a Roman Standard Bearer who holds the Labarum Standard, one of the elite troops of fifty, deputed to escort and protect the sacred standard in times of War.
The Medallions
The two medallions are situated over each of the postern gates or outer arches.
- On the right, we have a representation of St George slaying the dragon. St George, a soldier in the Roman Army, defended valiantly the Christian Faith. He had certainly died before Constantine was proclaimed emperor.
He is probably depicted here as an example for all Christian knights to follow. By the time of Constantine’s victory, the cult of St George had already spread around Asia Minor as Christian soldiers wore red crosses on their shield. Similarly, all pictures and statues of St. George have a Red Cross despite the fact that he died ten years before the red crosses were first used.
- On the left, the medallion shows Constantine and in the Heavens a Cross-bearing sixteen stars.
The medallions are laid over a sword and pastoral staff in saltire, the symbols of temporal and spiritual authority.
The whole is said to represent the three Grades of the Order:
- The sword refers to the degree of Knight Companion
- The Pastoral Staff alludes to the ceremony of consecration as Eminent Viceroy and Priesthood of Eusebius.
- The two medallions refer to the ceremony of Enthronement of the Most Puissant Sovereign.
Below the eight figures in the frieze and again above the lower arches are depicted the rose and the lily, symbols of the Divine Being, reminding us of Him who is the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley. The red rose represents the blood and the white lily the innocence and purity of our Lord.
Finally, the right-hand margin bears the registered number allocated to this particular document and the Great Seal of Grand Imperial Conclave has been duly affixed thereto. It is authenticated with the signature of the Grand Recorder.
The Great Seal of the Grand Imperial Conclave
The Seal depicts the device of the Red Cross Fleuree or Cross Flory with the sixteen stars and the double-headed black eagle, displayed regardant which is the symbol of the Roman Empire as united under Constantine the Great. It is also the symbol of St John the Evangelist. An imperial crown surmounts the eagle.
The supporters are two Roman soldiers wearing the short tunic called subligacula and sagum or soldiers’ cloak. At the soldiers’ feet are the words “Fidelitas, Unitas et Fervor”, which translate as Faith, Unity and Zeal.
The whole is contained with a circular border, which bears the words: Grand Council of England Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine.
In the first version of this document, the information was gathered from various documents (authors unknown) and had not been in any way approved by the Grand Imperial Conclave (May 2001).
In this second version, the document was modified to reflect the explanations given by Grand Imperial Conclave (Details of the Red Cross of Constantine certificate – June 2003).
Marc L Burton
Assistant Intendant-General
February 2002