The Allied Masonic Degrees
The Chair Grades of the Allied Masonic Degrees are those Degrees conferred only upon duly installed Sovereign Masters, Commander Noahs, Past Sovereign Masters, and Past Commander Noahs of AMD Councils and RAM Lodges.
In the United States, only the Grade of Installed Sovereign Master (and Installed Commander Noah in separate working RAM Lodges) is required by the Grand Council.P>
All business for the Allied Masonic Degrees is conducted during a regular council meeting, unlike European Councils which conduct all business in a Lodge of St. Lawrence the Martyr.
The wearing of Allied Masonic Degree Aprons by the Councils is left to the discretion of the individual Council.
The Chair Grades:
VENERABLE SOVEREIGN MASTER
OF THE ALLIED MASONIC DEGREES
The Chair Degree for the presiding Officer of a Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees of the United States of America. The Degree is usually conferred on the newly elected Sovereign Master by the Council’s Past Sovereign Masters at the close of Council meeting of the Sovereign Master’s election, though some Councils have a separate, formal installation. The Degree relates part of the Solomonic legend concerning the Queen of Sheba and members of the Craft.
The Jewel of the Grade is the insignia of the Allied Masonic Degrees surrounded by a laurel wreath, both in gold, suspended from a green ribbon at the throat, or a white ribbon on the left breast.
The Apron of the Grade is white, bordered green with yellow trim, with the insignia of the Allied Masonic Degrees on the flap, and the jewel of a Master of the Blue Lodge, in green and yellow, centered on the apron body.
WORSHIPFUL MASTER OF
ST. LAWRENCE THE MARTYR
In the American Councils, the Degree is rarely exemplified. With the mutual recognition of the various Grand Councils in the United States and Europe, however, it has become much more important, as the European Councils conduct and transact all of their Council business in the Degree of St. Lawrence the Martyr. The Degree recalls of the early history of the Grade and its unique customs in England.
The Jewel of the Grade is a silver gridiron superimposed on a quadrant and compasses, suspended from a ribbon, orange in the center and royal blue on either side.
The Apron of the Grade is white, with the orange and blue border, and containing a gridiron superimposed on a quadrant and compasses in the center.
The Collar of the Grade is approximately four inches in width, orange in the center and blue on either side.
WORSHIPFUL COMMANDER NOAH
OF ROYAL ARK MARINERS
In the American Councils, the Degree is rarely exemplified. However, it has become more important with the mutual recognition of European and Canadian Royal Ark Mariner Lodges. In some American Councils, the Royal Ark Mariner Lodge operates as a separate body, with its own set of officers and members. The Degree emphasizes the lessons of hospitality and generosity.
The Jewel of the Grade is a silver Triangle. Center inside the inner edges of the triangle is a silver "N." The Jewel is suspended from a ribbon containing the colors of the Rainbow.
The Apron of the Grade is white, bordered with a rainbow colored edge, and having three triangle of silver, two at the lower corners of the apron, and one centered on the flap. Some councils still use the apron prescribed in early rituals, which is of a ram’s fleece, wool side worn out.
The Sash of the Grade is approximately four inches in width, light green; or rainbow colored, and worn from the right shoulder and resting on the left hip.
COMMISIONED SUPREME RULER
OF THE ORDER OF THE SECRET MONITOR
In the American Councils, the Degree is rarely exemplified. However, it has become more important with the mutual recognition of European and Canadian Secret Monitor Conclaves. The Degree recalls the consecration of King David.
The Jewel of the Grade originally was a hackle surmounted by a crown, in gold. This was worn suspended from a ribbon, black in the center, bordered on either side with white, the ribbon being surmounted by a gold bow. It is now that used by the English body, which is two interlaced triangles, superimposed upon three arrows, and containing the letters "D" and "J," in gold. The Jewel is worn suspended from the throat by an orange ribbon bordered by Medici blue.
The Apron of the Grade is black, edged with white border. In the center a hackle is embroidered in white while on the flap is an ear, likewise embroidered in white. With the adoption of the English ritual, the apron is no longer worn.
The Sash of the Grade is approximately four inches in width, orange, bordered by Medici blue, and worn from the right shoulder and resting on the left hip.
