BRIEF HISTORY OF THE
A.˚.A.˚.S .˚.R .˚ . OF FREEMASONRY
by VW Felix D. Ramos, Jr., PM
High Twelve Lodge No. 82
A. FOUNDING
THEORIES:
a. Crusades by Chevalier Ramsay ( Oration of Ramsey in 1740
).
b. Knights Templars
c. After the Crusades
d. Jacobites
e. Continental Rites of Memphis&
Mizraim
f. Rite of Strict Observance
g. Council of the Emperors of East&
West
h. Rite of Perfection and
Heredom
i. Rite of Clermont
B. OUTLINE OF SIGNIFICANT
EVENTS:
1. October 13th 1307, (the Dreaded “Friday the
13th”) the aging Grand
Master of the Temple, Jacques de Molay
was captured in a dawn raid while resting in a Templar Preceptory. He was
dragged down by a rope tied around his
neck.
2. Year 1312, Pope Clement V declared the Dissolution of the
Order of the Temple.
3. June 13, 1314, Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland ( also a
Knight Templar ), founded the Order of St. Andrew of Chardon after the Battleat Bannockburn. In the same year, the Royal Grand
Lodge of Heredom in Kilwinning was also founded by
him.
4. Four months after, the Last Grand Master of the Knights
Templar, Jacobus Begendus de Molay, (J:.B:.M:.) was burned at stake before the
Notre Dame Cathedral.
5. After the execution of De Molay, the remnants of the Knights
Templar mostly fled to Kilmartin in Scotland, where they renounced their
religious vows and started the live as ordinary citizens. Legends would tell
that they seek the refuge of King Robert the Bruce of Scotlandwhich prompted him to
establish Lodge Kilwinning No. 0 to provide mutual protection among Templar
fugitives.
6. 1361, Jean Marc de Larmenius was proclaimed Grand Master of
the Order after De Molay and founded the Charter of Larmenius. Some books
explained that the said Charter started the Order of Strict Observance (Unknown
Superior),
somehow an offshoot of the 25 Degrees Rite of
Perfection.
7. Pierre de Amount, in other sources, was the immediate
successor of Jacques De Molay. Upon reaching Scotland, they
disguised as Operative Masons and incorporated their rituals with the
Operatives, who were builders of medieval castles, cathedrals and ancient
edifices.
8. Some degrees started in the
14th century. By this
time, Masonic Rituals were dismembered and corrupted from its original version,
purposely done for sale to make money. Masonic charlatans started to appear, as
Samuel Philip Rosa started selling corrupted rituals and Masonic
paraphernalia.
9. It germinated in the latter part of the
17th century. Freemasons
traveling around the globe and with them numerous Masonic diplomas certifying
degrees attained, different Rites attended, and its varying
disciplines.
10. Took its distinctive character in the
beginning of the 18th
century.
11. Its organized form took place in 1713 in PRUSSIA, FRANCE,
and SCOTLAND.
12. 1725 when the Grand Lodge of Englandtransmitted to France
the Ancient York
Constitutions.
13. Many Scotch brethren (adherents of the Pretender, James
Stuart) being in France in 1725 also cultivated some
of the high degrees of the
Rite.
14. In 1740, the famous “Oration of Ramsey” influenced and
persuaded the brethren of the Grand Lodge of England
that our Honorable Order emanated not from the Operatives or Builders, but
instead, from the Crusaders. This contributed to the creation of Knighthood of
Chivalric Degrees in the Rite.
15. Michael Andrew Ramsay a native of Scotland, generally known
as the “ Chevalier Ramsay.” who was born at Ayr in 1686, and died in St.
Germain-en-laye, in France, in
1743.
16. In 1754, the Rite of Perfection as the “Germ of the
organization of the AASR gradually approached development. From the Chapter of
Clermont, the Rite of Perfection also known as the Rite of HRDM, consisting
primarily of 25 degrees was founded by Chevalier de Bonneville in Paris, at a Jesuits owned College of Clermont.
17. It was also from this Rite that the Order of Strict
Observance (also known as “Unknown Superiors”) emanated, and Baron Von Hund was
the first initiate, and eventually became the overseer of the said
Rite.
18. The Rite of Strict Observance started as a Degree in Templar
Masonry.
19. Frederick the Great, also known as the “Masonic Lord of
Prussia” contributed / fabricated the addition of eight (8) more degrees in the
propagation of the Rite, correspondingly, making a total of 33 degrees, as the
Last Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. Other
Masonic scholars insisted that the addition of degrees were just “rearrangement”
of the former and original 25 degrees of the Rite of
Perfection
20. In 1758, the Council of the Emperors of East and West was
established (Princes of Masons).
21. In 1759, the Council of Princes of the Royal Secret at
Bordeaux was
formed and from that period began to extent
itself.
22. 1761 Stephen Morin was authorized by the Council of the
Emperors of East and West to appoint SGIGs and to grant patents primarily in
America. It is also in this period
that the Rite had increased and extended to Europe.
23 He arrived at Sto. Domingo and appointed Isaac Da Costa as
Inspector General.
24. In 1801, the Supreme Council in Charlestonwas finally
established. It required 9 brethren (SGIGs) in each nation to form a Supreme
Council; Dr. Frederick Dalcho and John Mitchell as the designated
SGIGs.
25. After the French Revolution in 1793, the mass of the people
became ATHEISTS, and with them the great body of MASONS. The Bible as a general
thing was committed to the flames, and sublime Freemasonry fell into
disuse.
26. In 1804, the Supreme Council in France was also established
by Comte Augustus De Grasse – Tilly. “The Dawn of French Masonry”-
(Francmaconnerie).
27. A Supreme Council in Spain
was also founded in 18th
century known as “El Prado,” where our Illustrious Bro. Albert Pike, the Father
of Scottish Rite Freemasonry was admitted Honorary
Member.
28. The Supreme Council of El Prado, could probably, the
emanation of Spanish and Latin Grand Orients such as the Gran Oriente de Espana
and the Gran Oriente Espanol.
29. The Gran Oriente Espanol, as our direct progenitors of Early
Philippine Lodges, under the roll of the Regional Grand Lodges during the Grand
Mastership of Bro. Miguel Morayta.
30. It was not until after the establishment of a Supreme
Council at Charleston, in 1801, that the sublime system was revived in France,
by the establishment of a Supreme Council at Paris in 1804 by Count De Grasse,
Grand Inspector – General, under the authority from the Charleston Council. The
Paris Supreme
Council still exists.
31. Before 1804, the Grand Orient of France
existed only as a “Symbolic Grand Lodge of Master Masons,” but immediately
commenced her assumed jurisdiction over all the degrees of the Ancient &
Accepted Scottish Rite.
32. In 1825, Supreme Councils have been established in almost
every nation of the globe.
33. In 1867, the Supreme Council for the Northern Jurisdiction
of the United
Stateswere finally established. Two Supreme
Councils were allowed in the USA with authority from Charleston, known as the
Southern and Northern
Jurisdictions.
34. In 1868, the exalted degrees of the Ancient & Accepted
Scottish is on its way to prosperity and healthful progress.
35. On the 4th of July 1924, the FIRST SUPREME COUNCIL
in the PHILIPPINES was constituted as SUPREMO CONSEJO DEL GRADO 33 PARA
FILIPINAS (The First in the Far East!) as founded by Illustrious Bro. Timoteo
Paez, Gr. 33, SGC. It was proclaimed in the entire Masonic world on December 30,
1924.
36. In 1950, was the Constitution of the Second Supreme Council
in the Philippines ( Scottish Rite Temple ) now located at Taft Avenue in
Manila.
C. REFERENCES:
1. Born in Blood
by John J Robinson
2. Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry by Charles
Mc Clenechan
3. The Cabletow
4. Mackey’s Masonic Encyclopedia by Albert
Mackey
5. Masonic Encyclopedia by Arthur
Waite
6. The Knights Templar by Frank
Sanelo
7. Philippine Masonry by Teodoro
Kalaw
8. Supremo Consejo Del Grado 33 Para Filipinas 64th
Anniversary Souvenir Program
A.˚.A.˚.S .˚.R .˚ . OF FREEMASONRY
by VW Felix D. Ramos, Jr., PM
High Twelve Lodge No. 82
A. FOUNDING
THEORIES:
a. Crusades by Chevalier Ramsay ( Oration of Ramsey in 1740
).
b. Knights Templars
c. After the Crusades
d. Jacobites
e. Continental Rites of Memphis&
Mizraim
f. Rite of Strict Observance
g. Council of the Emperors of East&
West
h. Rite of Perfection and
Heredom
i. Rite of Clermont
B. OUTLINE OF SIGNIFICANT
EVENTS:
1. October 13th 1307, (the Dreaded “Friday the
13th”) the aging Grand
Master of the Temple, Jacques de Molay
was captured in a dawn raid while resting in a Templar Preceptory. He was
dragged down by a rope tied around his
neck.
2. Year 1312, Pope Clement V declared the Dissolution of the
Order of the Temple.
3. June 13, 1314, Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland ( also a
Knight Templar ), founded the Order of St. Andrew of Chardon after the Battleat Bannockburn. In the same year, the Royal Grand
Lodge of Heredom in Kilwinning was also founded by
him.
4. Four months after, the Last Grand Master of the Knights
Templar, Jacobus Begendus de Molay, (J:.B:.M:.) was burned at stake before the
Notre Dame Cathedral.
5. After the execution of De Molay, the remnants of the Knights
Templar mostly fled to Kilmartin in Scotland, where they renounced their
religious vows and started the live as ordinary citizens. Legends would tell
that they seek the refuge of King Robert the Bruce of Scotlandwhich prompted him to
establish Lodge Kilwinning No. 0 to provide mutual protection among Templar
fugitives.
6. 1361, Jean Marc de Larmenius was proclaimed Grand Master of
the Order after De Molay and founded the Charter of Larmenius. Some books
explained that the said Charter started the Order of Strict Observance (Unknown
Superior),
somehow an offshoot of the 25 Degrees Rite of
Perfection.
7. Pierre de Amount, in other sources, was the immediate
successor of Jacques De Molay. Upon reaching Scotland, they
disguised as Operative Masons and incorporated their rituals with the
Operatives, who were builders of medieval castles, cathedrals and ancient
edifices.
8. Some degrees started in the
14th century. By this
time, Masonic Rituals were dismembered and corrupted from its original version,
purposely done for sale to make money. Masonic charlatans started to appear, as
Samuel Philip Rosa started selling corrupted rituals and Masonic
paraphernalia.
9. It germinated in the latter part of the
17th century. Freemasons
traveling around the globe and with them numerous Masonic diplomas certifying
degrees attained, different Rites attended, and its varying
disciplines.
10. Took its distinctive character in the
beginning of the 18th
century.
11. Its organized form took place in 1713 in PRUSSIA, FRANCE,
and SCOTLAND.
12. 1725 when the Grand Lodge of Englandtransmitted to France
the Ancient York
Constitutions.
13. Many Scotch brethren (adherents of the Pretender, James
Stuart) being in France in 1725 also cultivated some
of the high degrees of the
Rite.
14. In 1740, the famous “Oration of Ramsey” influenced and
persuaded the brethren of the Grand Lodge of England
that our Honorable Order emanated not from the Operatives or Builders, but
instead, from the Crusaders. This contributed to the creation of Knighthood of
Chivalric Degrees in the Rite.
15. Michael Andrew Ramsay a native of Scotland, generally known
as the “ Chevalier Ramsay.” who was born at Ayr in 1686, and died in St.
Germain-en-laye, in France, in
1743.
16. In 1754, the Rite of Perfection as the “Germ of the
organization of the AASR gradually approached development. From the Chapter of
Clermont, the Rite of Perfection also known as the Rite of HRDM, consisting
primarily of 25 degrees was founded by Chevalier de Bonneville in Paris, at a Jesuits owned College of Clermont.
17. It was also from this Rite that the Order of Strict
Observance (also known as “Unknown Superiors”) emanated, and Baron Von Hund was
the first initiate, and eventually became the overseer of the said
Rite.
18. The Rite of Strict Observance started as a Degree in Templar
Masonry.
19. Frederick the Great, also known as the “Masonic Lord of
Prussia” contributed / fabricated the addition of eight (8) more degrees in the
propagation of the Rite, correspondingly, making a total of 33 degrees, as the
Last Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. Other
Masonic scholars insisted that the addition of degrees were just “rearrangement”
of the former and original 25 degrees of the Rite of
Perfection
20. In 1758, the Council of the Emperors of East and West was
established (Princes of Masons).
21. In 1759, the Council of Princes of the Royal Secret at
Bordeaux was
formed and from that period began to extent
itself.
22. 1761 Stephen Morin was authorized by the Council of the
Emperors of East and West to appoint SGIGs and to grant patents primarily in
America. It is also in this period
that the Rite had increased and extended to Europe.
23 He arrived at Sto. Domingo and appointed Isaac Da Costa as
Inspector General.
24. In 1801, the Supreme Council in Charlestonwas finally
established. It required 9 brethren (SGIGs) in each nation to form a Supreme
Council; Dr. Frederick Dalcho and John Mitchell as the designated
SGIGs.
25. After the French Revolution in 1793, the mass of the people
became ATHEISTS, and with them the great body of MASONS. The Bible as a general
thing was committed to the flames, and sublime Freemasonry fell into
disuse.
26. In 1804, the Supreme Council in France was also established
by Comte Augustus De Grasse – Tilly. “The Dawn of French Masonry”-
(Francmaconnerie).
27. A Supreme Council in Spain
was also founded in 18th
century known as “El Prado,” where our Illustrious Bro. Albert Pike, the Father
of Scottish Rite Freemasonry was admitted Honorary
Member.
28. The Supreme Council of El Prado, could probably, the
emanation of Spanish and Latin Grand Orients such as the Gran Oriente de Espana
and the Gran Oriente Espanol.
29. The Gran Oriente Espanol, as our direct progenitors of Early
Philippine Lodges, under the roll of the Regional Grand Lodges during the Grand
Mastership of Bro. Miguel Morayta.
30. It was not until after the establishment of a Supreme
Council at Charleston, in 1801, that the sublime system was revived in France,
by the establishment of a Supreme Council at Paris in 1804 by Count De Grasse,
Grand Inspector – General, under the authority from the Charleston Council. The
Paris Supreme
Council still exists.
31. Before 1804, the Grand Orient of France
existed only as a “Symbolic Grand Lodge of Master Masons,” but immediately
commenced her assumed jurisdiction over all the degrees of the Ancient &
Accepted Scottish Rite.
32. In 1825, Supreme Councils have been established in almost
every nation of the globe.
33. In 1867, the Supreme Council for the Northern Jurisdiction
of the United
Stateswere finally established. Two Supreme
Councils were allowed in the USA with authority from Charleston, known as the
Southern and Northern
Jurisdictions.
34. In 1868, the exalted degrees of the Ancient & Accepted
Scottish is on its way to prosperity and healthful progress.
35. On the 4th of July 1924, the FIRST SUPREME COUNCIL
in the PHILIPPINES was constituted as SUPREMO CONSEJO DEL GRADO 33 PARA
FILIPINAS (The First in the Far East!) as founded by Illustrious Bro. Timoteo
Paez, Gr. 33, SGC. It was proclaimed in the entire Masonic world on December 30,
1924.
36. In 1950, was the Constitution of the Second Supreme Council
in the Philippines ( Scottish Rite Temple ) now located at Taft Avenue in
Manila.
C. REFERENCES:
1. Born in Blood
by John J Robinson
2. Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry by Charles
Mc Clenechan
3. The Cabletow
4. Mackey’s Masonic Encyclopedia by Albert
Mackey
5. Masonic Encyclopedia by Arthur
Waite
6. The Knights Templar by Frank
Sanelo
7. Philippine Masonry by Teodoro
Kalaw
8. Supremo Consejo Del Grado 33 Para Filipinas 64th
Anniversary Souvenir Program