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Provincial Grand Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners |
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The Degree of Royal Ark Mariner |
| The Royal Ark Mariner Degree is a fascinating compact degree, it is uses the story of Noah and his Ark, and the story of the Flood of cleansing and rebirth, and that the virtuous and industrious, represented by Noah and his family will prosper. As with other Masonic orders, the origin of the degree is not certain, the earliest authenticated record of a Royal Ark Mariner Degree being worked in England is 1790. The degree was worked in Craft and Mark Lodges and in 1871 the Order was taken under the wing of the Mark Grand Lodge. The ceremony of admission is called an elevation and has close affinities with the Craft where the legend of Noah and the First Covenant was part of the earliest development of Craft ritual, giving rise to early masons being known as Noachites). There are several references to the Noah and his Ark in early manuscripts and you can still see this link to the Noachite legend in today’s Craft masonry with the doves on the Deacons’ Wands. There are two ceremonies: the Degree of Royal Ark Mariner, where a member is admitted (or elevated) to the Order, and the ceremony of Installation by which the Commander Elect is installed in the Chair of a Royal Ark Mariner Lodge. The ceremony of Elevation is a delightful one with many unique features. The Installation ceremony is equally special and quite different from that of other orders. The Royal Ark Mariner Degree is overseen by the ‘The Grand Master’s Royal Ark Council’, which is under the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons. All RAM lodges are attached to Mark Lodges and carry the same number. Who can become a Royal Ark Mariner? A prospective candidate who is interested in becoming a Royal Ark Mariner must be a Mark Mason Degree of Royal Ark Mariner in East Lancashire We have 927 members and The Province has 35 Royal Ark Mariner Lodges click here to view |