The
Hermetic Chapter of Spiritual Knight
History
Spiritual Knight is a form of Russian Rosicrucianism and
Martinism, based on Ivan Vladimirovich Lopukhin and his ‘ideal
man’, whose description can be found in his book The Spiritual
Knight or Seeker of Wisdom, first published 1791. Lopukhin was a
member of the Russian nobility with a distinguished military and
civil career.
His other most notable work is Same Characteristics of the
Interior Church, which brought together some of the philosophies
of Martinism and the Qabalah (or Kabbalah) with his own more
conventional principles of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is the
background of these books and his beliefs that formed the basis of
the Order and its associated Ritual. It is believed that the
Ritual was first demonstrated in Moscow in the Burning Star Lodge,
an old lodge dating back to 1784, of which Lopukhin was a member.
A.E. Waite wrote the introduction to D.H.S. Nicholson's
translation of The Spiritual Knight or
Seeker of Wisdom (1912). The Order was established in England in
the 1990s and there are six Chapters in England and one in USA.
Traditionally membership was taken only from fully culminated
members of Hermetic Order of Martinists, however since the time of
the present Grand Master, the restriction was lifted and it is now
open to invited Master Masons. In reality most of the membership
comes from either Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia or Hermetic
Order of Martinists, but as stated in admission requirements, is
by invitation only.
Admission requirements
Spiritual Knight is a completely independent Christian order and
membership is by invitation only.
The Initiate is required to assent to the seven general rules for
a seeker of wisdom. Amongst these are that he will undertake "A
diligent exercise in the fear of God and a strict observance of
the Commands of the Gospel"; and also "An unshaken obedience and
fidelity to one's Sovereign, coupled with the especial duty of
protecting his Throne ..."
Ritual & Officers
The Ritual is based on the writings of Lopukhin which was first
published in 1791, and considered so secret that it was only
produced in small numbers for distribution to senior Masons. There
is only one degree in the Order.
Unlike any other Order or Degree, the Candidate is asked to
contemplate on several symbols and items that are displayed on
tables for his inspection, such as his apron.
The Officers of the Order are:
President
Senior Knight
Orator
Director of Ceremonies
Conductor
Secretary
Treasurer
The Order meets in Chapters. Chapters normally meet twice a year.
There were approximately 120 members of the Order in 2019.