An Introduction to Allied Masonic Degrees
AMD controls ten regular degrees. The local Council decides which if any of them are worked (performed):
- Order of St. Lawrence the Martyr
- Knight of Constantinople
- Grand Tylers of Solomon
- Excellent Master
- Master of Tyre
- Architect
- Grand Architect
- Superintendent
- Royal Ark Mariner (Separate Lodge outside of the USA)
- Order of the Secret Monitor (Separate Conclave outside of the USA)
AMD also has administrative degrees:
- Installed Sovereign Master - Required to preside over an AMD Council
- Past Sovereign Master
- Installed Master (Order of St. Lawrence the Martyr Chair Degree)
- Installed Supreme Ruler (Order of St. Lawrence the Martyr Chair Degree)
- Installed Commander Noah (Royal Ark Mariner Chair Degree)
The highest honor in the Allied Masonic Degrees is The Royal Order of the Red Branch of Eri, a system which derives its symbolism and names from Irish knighthood. It consists of three degrees:
- Man-at-arms
- Esquire
- Knight
The following orders are also under control of the Allied Masonic Degrees:
- Brotherhood of David and Jonathan
- Induction
- Admission of a Prince
- Ye Ancient and Olde Order of Corks (Originally a Separate Organization)
Ven·er·a·ble
Pronunciation: \'ve-n?r(-?)-b?l, 'ven-r?-b?l\
Function: adjective
Date: 15th century
1 : deserving to be venerated —used as a title for an Anglican archdeacon or for a Roman Catholic who has been accorded the lowest of three degrees of recognition for sanctity
2 : made sacred especially by religious or historical association
3 a : calling forth respect through age, character, and attainments <a venerable jazz musician>; broadly : conveying an impression of aged goodness and benevolence <encouraged by the venerable doctor's head-nodding> b : impressive by reason of age <under venerable pines>
4 Past Soverign Master