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18th Degree
KNIGHT OF ROSE CROIX OF THE H.R.D.M.
by Nicholas Graff, 33˚, MSA, Active for Illinois
As best as I have been able to determine, I am a fourth-generation Master Mason and a thirdgeneration Scottish Rite Mason. I am continually researching my Masonic ancestry but have never been successful getting beyond that point. Many of my ancestors are from states that are part of the Southern Masonic Jurisdiction which adds an additional step to my research. I chose to write about the 18th degree, because that degree is part of my Scottish Rite legacy, and this edition of TNL celebrates the Masonic legacy of our members.
My oath as a Past Most Wise Master requires that I publicly proclaim the 18th degree as the best degree in all of Scottish Rite. Perhaps I am a bit sarcastic when I make this statement, because we have some excellent degrees in the Scottish Rite. I am extremely pleased with our new 4th Degree, Builder, and some of our older degrees are also outstanding work.
That being said, I always come back to the 18th degree as my favorite. It represents my legacy in the Scottish Rite, because I have participated in this degree in one form or another in every reunion since becoming a member of this fraternity. I started in a non-speaking part on stage, moved to a speaking part on the working floor, and finally, directed my Valley’s production of the degree. The process worked like it is supposed to work with new members slowly working their way into our degrees and ending with a leading role. This degree also got me hooked on our fraternity to the point that I live and breathe Scottish Rite Masonry.
Enough about me. Let’s talk about the 18th degree, Knight of Rose Croix of Heredom. The term “Heredom” is one of those Masonic words that no one can really agree about. It has been described as the name of a mystical holy mountain and also defined as meaning “New Temple.” This definition would seem to be confirmed by the ritual of the 18th degree. It is also the registered name of a publication of the Scottish Rite Research Society.
Before I go any further, the college professor in me demands that I give credit to a resource that I used as research for this article. While there are no direct quotes from this work, I did review his description of the 18th degree before writing this article. The book I am referring to is entitled The Masonic Pageant, written by Frank Conway, 33°, MSA, a member of the Valley of Southern New Jersey. Brother Conway’s book contains explanations of all 29 degrees of the Scottish Rite and is a must-read for the academic-minded Scottish Rite Brother.
The 18th degree was originally one of the principal degrees of the Scottish Rite. A candidate was required to see one degree from each body before completing the 32nd degree. This meant the 18th degree was shown at just about every reunion. Since we adopted the bookend concept for degrees (4th degree, three core value degrees, and the 32nd degree as the final), the 18th degree is not often exemplified. A video of this degree has not been created, and the live presentation of the degree requires a large troupe and can be difficult for a Valley to cast. This means a number of our members probably have not witnessed the 18th degree. I would encourage anyone who does not have the 18th degree marked in their passport to change this as soon as you are able.
The 18th degree is part of the works of the Chapter of Rose Croix and is the sequel to the 17th degree. The 17th degree, recently released as a video, has debuted on our Thursday Night at the Rite series. This is the degree where King Herod puts the Roman eagle on the Temple, and the townspeople revolt. The eagle is torn down, the columns of Masonry are destroyed, the Word is lost, and the Book of Life is sealed. The candidate is left wandering on the shores of the Dead Sea. Thus begins the 18th degree.
The actual title of the 18th degree is impressive: Knight of the Rose Croix, Perfect Prince Freemason of Heredom, Knight of the Eagle and Pelican. The core value of the degree is Reverence for God. This degree serves as a benchmark in our body of work, because it represents the transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament in our degrees. One could argue this transformation actually takes place during this degree.
The Rose Croix Degree teaches that the new Temple is in the heart of man where God is worshiped in spirit and in truth. The degree uses events from the life of Jesus of Nazareth to teach its lessons. The two parts of this degree that always impress me are scenes of the Last Supper and the Sermon on the Mount.
These scenes were always done with live actors behind an appropriate scrim, so the scene had the appearance of a photograph or painting. After seeing the degree, it wasn’t unusual for a candidate to ask if the scene was live or a photograph. I can also remember times when we had a scene of Jesus and the two thieves actually on crosses. Often, the actors told stories of almost falling off of the cross during the live presentation of the degree. That scene has since been removed—probably for safety reasons. The degree consists of three scenes called Apartments. The first Apartment is titled the “Dark Chamber.” In this scene, our candidate is found wandering on the shores of the Dead Sea, where he learned of the teachings of the Essenes from the 17th degree. He learns the importance of the sealed Book of Life, the lamb, and the flaming sword. He also completes a symbolic journey of 33 years, where he learns the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity. Finally, he is taught the sign of the Good Shepherd and receives an explanation of the eagle and pelican to begin his journey into the next Apartment. (This symbolizes the end of the Law of Moses as described in the Old Testament of the Bible.)
The most impressive portion of this degree is contained within the Chamber of the Mystic Rose. Here the candidate learns the Story of the Cross, and the symbolism of the Mystic Rose and Cubic Stone is explained. The candidate then completes his journey by moving into the third Apartment of the degree, The Chamber of Light.
In this Apartment, the candidate is asked a series of questions only to learn that he always had the knowledge of the Lost Word. With this knowledge, the candidate is able to open the Book of Life, and the Lost Word is revealed. The degree ends with our Brother being created a Knight of Rose Croix and learning of the New Law.
Admittedly, this degree seems to be based upon the Christian religion because of the references to Jesus Christ in the degree. Article 613 of our Constitution states “A candidate for membership must take his obligation upon that Book which to him is the Volume of the Sacred Law.” While this degree is about the life of Christ, the lessons it teaches are about the new law. The Prologist specifically says, “Man must have a new Temple in his heart, and the Kingdom lives in the heart of men.”
The lessons of the 18th degree really apply to all men who believe in a Supreme Being. Wait, what did we declare upon our first admission into a lodge of Masons when we were asked in whom we placed our trust? I also seem to recall the words of Constans as he departs the Sanctuary to help defend his city.
The Prologist of the 18th has ritual that I will never forget. When I directed this degree, I insisted that he hit this line hard and recite it word for word. It is a question that I think every Mason and particularly every Scottish Rite Mason should have an answer to. It’s not an answer that should be proclaimed for all to hear; it should exist in your heart. We must each answer in our own way and in accordance with our own religious convictions. The ritual goes like this, “What think ye of Jesus?”
