The Swedish Rite is a variation of Freemasonry that is worked in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. A slight variation is common in parts of Germany under the Grosse Landesloge der Freimaurer von Deutschland. The Masonic Square and Compasses. ...

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 is both progressive and continuous.

The Swedish Rite is unique in that it demands that the brethren be Christian, and not just that they believe in a supreme being. A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. ... A deity or a god, is a postulated preternatural being, usually, but not always, of significant power, worshipped, thought holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, or respected by human beings. ...

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 Cross

See also

• Order of Charles XIII (Charles XIII of Sweden)

Charles, the Swedish Duke of Sodermanland (later to become King Charles XIII of Sweden) spent a good deal of his adult life (prior to his ascension) studying the history of the Knights Templar. ... Charles XIII, Karl XIII, or Carl II, (1748-1818), king of Sweden and Norway, the second son of king Adolf Frederick of Sweden, and Louisa Ulrica of Prussia, sister of Frederick the Great, was born at Stockholm on October 7, 1748. ...

External links

Grand Lodges using the Swedish Rite:

• Danish Grand Lodge
• Finnish Grand Lodge
• Icelandic Grand Lodge
• Norwegian Grand Lodge
• Swedish Grand Lodge
• Grosse Landesloge der Freimaurer von Deutschland

Other links:

• THE SWEDISH CONSTITUTION, Nordic Esotericism in Baroque Splendour, by W.Bro Alex G. Davidson, last retrived 16 April 2006