The Royal Arch Masonry 2013 Bicentenary
Introduction
2013 will be a very important year for Royal Arch Masonry which will be celebrating 200 years of its practice under what is now known as the Supreme Grand Chapter.
The history of the Royal Arch goes back long before 1813. It is both fascinating and confusing. The compact of 1813 between the two Grand Lodges which then existed involved some typically British compromise which has never been satisfactorily resolved and clarified. It occupies a position unique in world-wide Freemasonry.
For more detailed information see the ‘History of Grand Chapter’ beginning with ‘The first Grand Chapter’
Celebrations
The Bicentenary is being marked by:-
1. The Royal Arch Masons 2013 Bicentenary Appeal
This has been established to help fund the College’s successful surgical research fellowship scheme which supports surgeons undertaking a surgical research project. This scheme enables the brightest and best surgeons of each generation to explore treatments for conditions and injuries that affect millions of people world wide. The scheme relies completely on voluntary donations from individuals, trusts and legacies and needs more funding to continue the number of worthy research projects supported.
Surgical research continues to provide significant advances in:
hip and knee replacements
the prevention of strokes
reconstructive surgery for trauma and war wounded victims
less invasive surgery and quicker recovery
skilled operations to improve hearing and sight
cancer survival rates
Future innovations in surgery will be driven by research. However, nationally less than 2% of funding for medical research is given to surgical projects, hence the Appeal will help to support advances in surgical care for current and future generations.
The Provincial Chapter of East Kent is intent on raising at least £30,000 towards the Appeal and is confident that this will be achieved, notwithstanding the fact that the Province is actively promoting its 2014 Festival.
2. A Service of Celebration at Canterbury Cathedral which will be held on Saturday 21 September 2013 and to which all Chapter and Craft Masons from the Province are cordially invited. We shall be joined by a large number of Masons from adjoining Provinces, and the Dean of Canterbury has kindly agreed to deliver the sermon on this very special occasion.
3. A Celebratory Convocation of Supreme Grand Chapter which will be held on Wednesday 16 October 2013 to mark the Bicentenary and the culmination of the appeal in favour of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
The Regular Convocation of Supreme Grand Chapter which would have been held in November 2013 has been moved to the afternoon of Wednesday the 16th October to take advantage of what it is hoped will be better weather before the clocks go back.
The Celebratory Convocation will be preceded by a Convocation of Metropolitan Grand Stewards Chapter, No. 9812, which will demonstrate the Ceremony of Exaltation using the changes authorised in 2004. Lunch will follow at the Grand Connaught Rooms and will be presided over by the ME Pro First Grand Principal
The Celebratory Convocation of Supreme Grand Chapter will be followed in the evening by Dinner at the Savoy Hotel presided over by the ME First Grand Principal.
Full details of the Supreme Grand Chapter celebrations are available here.