Red Cross of Constantine
Ceremony of Enthronement of a Sovereign and Consecration and Installation of a Viceroy

 
n.d.

By the Statutes of the Order bath the Sovereign and the Viceroy must be Knights of the Appendant Orders of the Holy Sepulchre and of St John the Evangelist; and the Sovereign must have been consecrated as a Venerable Eusebius thus enabling him to have served in the office of Viceroy in a regular Conclave.
There should be no singing during the ceremony. Prior to the Sovereign Elect being presented, the kneeling stool at the altar in the centre of the Conclave will be placed at the West of the pedestal in the West.
In Conclaves where the altar in the East is toa high to permit the Obligations of Sovereign and Viceroy to be taken with the Bible thereon, it is permissible either for the High Prelate to hold the Bible or for it to be placed on a small pedestal. Alternatively, the Sovereign may instruct the Sovereign Elect or Viceroy Elect to support the Holy Testament on the left hand and place his right hand upon it.
The Marshal and Deputy Marshal assist the Sovereign Elect to remove his Viceroy 's robe and then with drawn swords present him in the West.
The Marshal stands on the Sovereign Elect's right and the Deputy Marshal on his left.
Marshal: Most Puissant Sovereign, I present to you Eminent Knight ..., who has been duly elected Sovereign of the Conclave, that he may be Enthroned in the Imperial Seat of Constantine. He is a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre and of St John the Evangelist, and has been consecrated as Venerable Eusebius in this Order.
Sovereign: I congratulate the Conclave upon their choice, and have great pleasure in acceding to your request.
Marshal and Deputy Marshal take one step back.
Eminent Knight ..., I must first direct your attention to the rules and ordinances about to be read to you by the Recorder and to all of which your unqualified assent is essential. This you will signify by the Sign of Darkness after each clause.
Recorder: Do you solemnly promise upon your honour as a Christian Knight:
1. That you will exert your best endeavours to promote the true happiness of your brother Knights?
2. That you will not confer the dignity of Knighthood upon any one who is not of the Christian Religion, and upon only such as you have reason to believe will cheerfully conform to all our laws and precepts?
3. That you will endeavour to promote the general good of the Order upon all convenient occasions?
4. That, to the utmost of your power, you will preserve the solemnity of our ceremonies, and conduct yourself in open conclave with the utmost profound respect and reverence as an example to the Knights under your rule?
5. That you will not acknowledge, nor have intercourse with, nor visit, any Conclave which does not work under a constitutional charter from a recognised Grand Conclave of the Order?
6. That you will ever maintain and support the authority of the Grand Imperial Conclave, and enforce due obedience to its edicts, statutes and regulations, and strictly observe its ancient traditions and general principles?
7. That you will bind your successor in office to the observance of these rules to which you now assent.
Sovereign: Is your belief still firmly based on the chief cornerstone of our Faith, the Prince of our Salvation?
Sovereign Elect answers.
Sovereign: Then you will kneel, done and unite with us in solemn prayer.
Marshal: Worthy Knights - To Order - facing the Altar in the East.
All rise and tum to the East.
High Prelate, standing before the Altar in the East, facing East: Let us pray.
The Knights-Companion assume the Sign of Reverence.
Eternal Sovereign of the Universe, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, before whose Omnipotent Majesty we humbly bow, deign to bless this Conclave assembled in Thy Most Holy Name; and grant that this Thy servant, who has been chosen like Thy blessed Apostle Matthias to rule the household of Faith, may be filled with wisdom worthily to wield the Sword of the Spirit; enlighten him with true knowledge and inspire him with the zeal of Constantine our great and glorious founder, so that he may well and faithfully represent this Christian Order, and that when his work on earth is done he may be admitted to the light of Thy Kingdom through the merits of Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.
Marshal: Worthy Knights, you will face inwards.
Sovereign: Are you willing to take the most sacred and solemn Obligation of an Enthroned Sovereign?
Sovereign Elect answers.
Sovereign: Then you will rise done and advance to the East. Marshal, Sovereign Elect, Deputy Marshal tum towards the North, The Deputy Marshal leads the Sovereign Elect followed by the Marshal down the North side of the Temple to a position in front of the Altar in the East finishing with the Sovereign elect in the centre, Deputy Marshal on his right and Marshal on his left. Kneel on both knees, done, Knights-Companion assume the Sign of Reverence, place bath hands on the Holy Testament, (or support the Holy Testament on your left hand and place your right hand upon it), done state your names, and repeat after me: I, ..., in the presence of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, most solemnly and sincerely swear that I will never utter the secrets of the supreme dignity to which I am about to be admitted, unless in the midst of a lawfully assembled Conclave of present and past Sovereigns of the Order; nor will I assist in conferring the rank of a Prince-Mason of this Order upon anyone in the world unless he be an Eusebius of the Order, and not even then unless in strict conformity with the edicts of the Grand Imperial Conclave. I also promise at all times to respect and reverence the Sacred Name which is the true word of this Illustrious Order.
All this I promise on my Knightly vow, so help me God and keep me steadfast in this my most sacred and solemn vow as a Sovereign of the Order.
Sovereign: You will seal this vow eight times on the Holy Gospel; six times in honour of the Trinity, and twice in commemoration of our Illustrious Founders, Constantine and Eusebius.
Done.
Knights-Companion discharge the Sign of Reverence.
Sovereign: Rise, duly obligated successor of Constantine.
Marshal: Worthy Knights, be seated.
The Marshal and Deputy Marshal conduct the Sovereign elect to his place in the West and assist him to put on his robe.
The Deputy Marshal leaves the Temple to collect the lighted censer from the Sentinel and returns. Meanwhile the Marshal escorts the Viceroy Elect to the kneeling stool in the West. The Marshal, with drawn sword, takes up position on the South side of the Viceroy Elect; the Deputy Marshal takes up position on the North side, swinging the censer gently.
The Marshal presents Viceroy Elect as follows:
Marshal: Most Puissant Sovereign, I present to you Worthy Knight ..., who has been duly elected Viceroy of the Conclave, in order that he may be solemnly consecrated as a lawful successor of the Venerable Eusebius to enable him to perform the duties of that high office. He is a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre and of St John the Evangelist.
Sovereign: I congratulate the Conclave on their choice, and have great pleasure in acceding to your request. You will, therefore, conduct the Viceroy Elect to the Venerable Eusebius.
All turn about and face the Venerable Eusebius in the West.
Venerable Eusebius: Do you continue to believe in the Great High Priest of our Faith?
Venerable Eusebius Elect answers.
Venerable Eusebius: Are you willing, so far as in you lies, to dedicate your life to His service?
Venerable Eusebius Elect answers.
Venerable Eusebius: Then you will face East, done kneel done and join with us in solemn prayer.
Marshal: Worthy Knights - To Order - facing the altar in the East.
All rise and turn to the East.
The Marshal and Deputy Marshal flank the Viceroy Elect, the Deputy Marshal swinging the censer throughout the Prayer and Gloria.
High Prelate: Let us pray. The Knights-Companion assume the Sign of Reverence. Most Glorious and Supreme High Priest of heaven and earth, we approach Thee with reverence and implore Thy blessing upon this our brother who has dedicated himself to Thy service and has proclaimed aloud his belief in Thy name; animate his soul, strengthen his endeavours, and inspire his heart with wisdom that his actions may proclaim Thy glory.
May he teach Thy judgments and Thy laws, and may he Place upon Thine altar the in cense of true piety which alone will find favour in Thy sight. Accept us, O Lord, and bless us; make of us a Holy Priesthood, a peculiar people; and finally after this life reveal to us the perfection of truth in the mansions of the blessed for ever.
Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, est nunc, et semper, in scecula sceculorum. Amen.
or
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the Beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Marshal: Worthy Knights, you will face inwards.
Venerable Eusebius: Rise and advance to the altar in the East.
The Venerable Eusebius, followed by the Deputy Marshal carrying the censer, the Viceroy Elect and the Marshal, proceeds to the East, via the North finishing with the Viceroy Elect facing the altar in the East, the Venerable Eusebius on his right, the Marshal on his left and the Deputy Marshal behind swinging the censer.
Venerable Eusebius: Kneel, done cross your hands upon the Holy Testament; (or support the Holy Testament on your left hand and place your right hand upon it), done state your names at length and repeat after me the sacred and solemn vow of a Priest-Mason. The Knights-Companion assume the Sign of Reverence. I, ..., in the presence of the Heavenly High Priest of our Faith, solemnly pledge myself never to divulge the mysteries belonging to the Priesthood of Eusebius, unless toa duly consecrated Eusebius of the Order, or to a Knight-Companion who shall have been regularly elected or chosen for the office of Viceroy.
I further promise that I will, at all times and to the best of my ability, assist the Most Puissant Sovereign in the government of the Conclave.
This I promise on my Knightly vow, so help me our Great Atoning Priest and keep me steadfast in this my sacred and solemn vow as an Eusebius of the Order.
You will seal this vow by saluting the Holy Testament six times.
The Viceroy Elect removes his hands from the Holy Testament.
The High Prelate offers the Gospel on the Altar for the sealing of the vow.
Rise, duly sworn successor of Eusebius.
The Eminent Viceroy takes position in the South facing West. The Deputy Marshal hands the censer to the High Prelate and resumes his station. The High Prelate takes up position behind the Eminent Viceroy. The Marshal places Viceroy Elect behind the High Prelate and resumes his station. Marshal returns sword.
The Venerable Eusebius, followed by the High Prelate swinging the censer, followed by the Viceroy Elect, proceeds three times round the Conclave inside the Pillars - reciting in Latin or English -
During the first circuit -
Venerable Eusebius: Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Domine Deus Sabaoth.
Or Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth.
During the second circuit -
Venerable Eusebius: Pleni sunt coeli et terra majestatis glorire Ture.
Or Heaven and Earth are full of the Majesty of Thy Glory.
During the third circuit -
Venerable Eusebius: Te per orbem terrarum sancta, Libera, et confessa confitetur fraternitas Patrem immense majestatis, venerandum Filium Tuum verum et unicum, Sanctum quoque Paraclitum Spiritum.
Or The holy, free and accepted Brotherhood throughout all the world doth acknowledge Thee the Father of an Infinite Majesty and venerate Thine Honourable, True and Only Son, also the Holy Ghost the Comforter.
The Venerable Eusebius, High Prelate and the Viceroy Elect halt in front of the Altar. The High Prelate returns the censer to the Deputy Marshal who returns it to the Sentinel. The Viceroy Elect remains at the centre of the altar facing East. The High Prelate and Deputy Marshal resume their stations.
Venerable Eusebius: The High Prelate will now recite to you the twelve Grand Points connected with the Cross of our Divine Master.
Venerable Eusebius returns to his station in the West.
Marshal: Worthy Knights, be seated.
High Prelate: 1st. The Humility of Christ upon the Cross.
2nd. The journey of St Helena from Rome to Jerusalem.
3rd. Her pious and diligent enquiry concerning the sacred spot Golgotha.
4th. Her discovery of the Three Crosses, and her perplexity to know which was that of the Christ.
5th. The direction of Macarius, Patriarch of Jerusalem which enabled her to distinguish the true Cross from those of the two thieves.
6th. The building of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre by Constantine after the finding of the Cross.
7th. The two festivals of the Christian Church; that of the discovery of the true Cross, and that of the exaltation of the Cross.
8th. The seizure of the Cross by one of the heathen monarchs.
9th. The restoration of the Cross.
10th. The carrying of the Cross of Christ after its recovery, by the Emperor Heraclius in his imperial robes and pomp.
11th. The humble garb assumed by Heraclius, in place of his robes of royalty, when he carried the Cross into the Church on Mount Calvary.
12th. The reign of the Son of God in the Day of Judgment.
The Marshal conducts the Viceroy Elect to a seat in the Conclave.
Sovereign: I now request all Knights below the rank of Eusebius to retire, with the exception of the Viceroy Elect.
Here follows the Consecration ceremony within the College of Priests-Mason and Enthronement ceremony within the Senate of Princes-Mason.
The Marshal and Deputy Marshal retire. The Knights-Companion are admitted in two columns; the one in the South being led by the Marshal immediately followed by the Herald; and the one in the North led by the Deputy Marshal. Bath columns face inwards. Marshal and Deputy Marshal return swords.
Enthroning Sovereign: Let the Herald proclaim.
Herald: BE IT KNOWN that ..., has this day been Enthroned in the Seat of our Illustrious and Royal Founder, Constantine the Great, and has been duly invested as Most Puissant Sovereign of this the ... Conclave, No ... on the Roll of the Grand Imperial Conclave for England and Wales and its Divisions and Conclaves Overseas, whom, pause - Worthy Knights adopt the Sign of Reverence may the Holy and Indivisible Three-in-One long preserve.
Marshal: Worthy Knights, I call upon you to salute the Most Puissant Sovereign with three times 1 and 3, taking the time with me.
The Marshal conducts the Herald to the South-West where they face North. The Deputy Marshal stays at East end of North column.
Herald: BE IT KNOWN that ..., has this day been Consecrated a successor of our Illustrious Founder, the Venerable Eusebius, and has been duly invested and Installed as Eminent Viceroy of this the ... Conclave, No ... on the Roll of the Grand Imperial Conclave for England and Wales and its Divisions and Conclaves Overseas, whom, pause - Worthy Knights adopt the Sign of Reverence may the Holy and Indivisible Three-in-One long preserve.
Marshal: Worthy Knights, I call upon you to greet the Eminent Viceroy with the Sign of Darkness.
Eminent Viceroy responds with the Sign of Silence.
Marshal: Worthy Knights, resume your stations.
The Marshal and Herald return to their stations.
Marshal: Worthy Knights, be seated.
The Charter of the Conclave is entrusted to the new Sovereign, who rises to receive it.
The Statutes of the Order and the By-Laws of the Conclave are presented to the Most Puissant Sovereign.
The Officers of the Conclave are appointed and invested.