Essex Red Cross of Constantine © 2015 - Rights Reserved.

The Masonic and Military Order of the

 

Red Cross of Constantine

 

and the orders of

the Holy Sepulchre

and St. John the Evangelist

in England and Wales and

its Divisions and

Conclaves overseas

 

Division of Essex

 

In Hoc Signo Vinces

Last Updated

19 June, 2017

History

Constantine, a Roman, was destined for the college of Emperors but following the death of his father, he was hailed by the Legions in York as Augustus and became the Governor of Britain and Gaul. After several successful battles across the Alps and Italy he eventually established himself as the lawful Emperor of both the East and West and transferred the capital of the empire from Rome to Byzantium, later to be named after him.

 

He was the first Roman Emperor to openly encourage Christianity. His conversion began one evening after a long day’s march with his army when, in what he believed was a sign from heaven, he and his army saw in the sky, and by the rays of th

e setting sun, a pillar of light in the form of a special cross. To sanctify the minds of his pagan army, he had made a standard bearing a Cross like that seen and ordered it to be carried before him in the wars. Several Christians in his army came forward and avowed their faith following which Constantine directed that they should wear on their armour a red cross.

 

Having been successful in battle it is said that Constantine with the help of his chief bishop, Eusebius, opened a Conclave of the Knights of the Order whose members became the bodyguard of their Sovereign.