About
Since at least the 18th century, Freemasonry has incorporated symbols and rituals of several Medieval military orders in a number of Masonic bodies, most notably, in the “Red Cross of Constantine” (derived from the Military Constantinian Order), the “Order of Malta” (derived from the Sovereign Military Order of Malta), and the “Order of the Temple” (derived from the historical Knights Templar), the latter two featuring prominently in the York Rite.
Tracing the precise origins of these Orders has proved problematic to historians, not least due to the large number of fraternal organisations whose titles include, or have historically included, the phrase “Red Cross”. It seems likely that the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine was being worked in England by 1780, but following several re-organisations the earliest documented date of the Order in its present form is 1865, when its constitution was formally established by Robert Wentworth Little[7] (who also founded the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia). In time it became one of the ten ‘additional’ Masonic Orders (or families of Orders) controlled from a common headquarters at Mark Masons’ Hall, London. Following the establishment of Conclaves in overseas nations, a number of sovereign foreign Grand Imperial Conclaves or Grand Imperial Councils (ruling bodies) have been established.
The Division of New Mexico has three Conclaves: San Sophia (Bernalillo County), Santa Fe (Santa Fe County), and Christos Rhetor (Chaves County). All three Conclaves support members from other Counties throughout the Division.
Santa Fe Conclave has been operating since the late 20th Century. We have Knight Companions that span several counties throughout the State of New Mexico.