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Constantine, a Roman, was destined for the college of Emperors, but following the death of his father, he was hailed by the Legions in York as Augustus and became the Governor of Britain and Gaul. After several successful battles across the Alps and Italy he eventually established himself as Emperor of both the East and West and transferred the capital of the empire from Rome to Byzantium, the latter afterwards to be renamed after him. It is said that his conversion to Christianity began one evening after a long day’s march with his army.

 

He believed he saw a sign from heaven; a pillar of light in the form of a special cross. A standard bearing this cross was ordered to be carried before him in battle. Several Christians in his army came forward and avowed their faith, following which Constantine directed that they should wear on their armour a red cross. Having been successful in battle it is said that Constantine with the help of his chief bishop, Eusebius, opened a Conclave of the Knights of the Order, whose members became the bodyguard of their Sovereign.

 

Versions of the Red Cross degree were being worked in Ireland, Scotland and the United States in the early eighteenth century and possibly earlier. In England, the order was reorganised in 1865 and the ceremonies rewritten. The first ceremony consists of the Candidate’s admission, obligation and Installation as a Knight-Companion of the Red Cross of Constantine, in which the historical basis of the Order is explained. Progression through the Offices of Viceroy and Sovereign involve two additional ‘chair’ degrees (Priest-Mason and Prince-Mason). When the Red Cross Order was reorganised in 1865, two Appendant Orders were added: Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, centred on St. Helena’s discovery of the True Cross, and Knight of St. John the Evangelist, based on an unsuccessful attempt to rebuild the Holy Temple at Jerusalem. These, are undoubtedly among the most impressive in the whole of Freemasonry.