- Swedish Rite
The Swedish Rite is a variation of
Freemasonry that is worked inSweden ,Norway ,Denmark ,Finland andIceland . A slight variation is common in parts of Germany under the "Grosse Landesloge der Freimaurer von Deutschland".The Rite is divided into three divisions: St. John's (Craft) degrees (I–III), St. Andrew's (Scottish) degrees (IV–VI) and the Chapter degrees (VII–X). In addition one may attain the XIth degree, although only a very few gain this. Progression from one degree to the next is not automatic. A brother not only has to be in regular attendance, but also has to show that he has a certain proficiency and knowledge of Freemasonry. The Swedish Rite demands members be
Christian and not just that they believe in asupreme being . Like other regular Masonic organisations, only men are allowed membership.Since
7 November 2006 all laws of the Swedish Freemasons are publicly available on Internet. [ [http://www.frimurarorden.se/index2.html SVENSKA FRIMURARE ORDEN: Ordens Allmänna Lagar] ] Among others, the laws prohibit any member to gain advantages outside the lodge by using the lodge as an instrument. The laws also stresses the charity works of the members and the observance of the Golden Rule.Degrees
*St. John's degrees
**I Apprentice
**II Fellow Craft
**III Master Mason
*St. Andrew's degrees
**IV Apprentice of St. Andrew
**V Companion of St. Andrew (conferred with the fourth degree)
**VI Master of St. Andrew
*Chapter degrees
**VII Very Illustrious Brother, Knight of the East
**VIII Most Illustrious Brother, Knight of the West
**IX Enlightened Brother of St. John's Lodge
**X Very Enlightened Brother of St. Andrew's Lodge
*Grand Council honorary degree
**XI Most Enlightened Brother, Knight Commander of the Red Crossee also
*
Order of Charles XIII (Charles XIII of Sweden )References
External links
;Grand Lodges using the Swedish Rite:
* [http://www.dendanskefrimurerorden.dk/default.asp Danish Grand Lodge]
* [http://www.frmr.is/ Icelandic Grand Lodge]
* [http://www.frimurer.no/ Norwegian Grand Lodge]
* [http://www.frimurarorden.se/ Swedish Grand Lodge]
* [http://www.freimaurerei.com/ Grosse Landesloge der Freimaurer von Deutschland];Other links:
* [http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/swedish_constitution.html THE SWEDISH CONSTITUTION, Nordic Esotericism in Baroque Splendour] , by W.Bro Alex G. Davidson, last retrieved 16 April 2006
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