Centurion Lodge 1804
Banner Dedication
R.W. Provincial Grand Master, ( Hail Caesar) Brethren of the Centurion Lodge and Brethren all.
Brethren, To-day is another important milestone in the history of this Lodge and we have gathered together today to dedicate the Banner of the Centurion Lodge of Mark Master Masons No.1804. It is indeed a privilege for us as Visitors to join you today on this very special occasion.
As we are all probably aware, banners, standards or ensigns have long been used by a variety of organisations, to establish identity and to be a focus for all who range thereunder. There are so many examples of this in history:- Armies following their banner into battle and rallying around it when needing to regroup. The Banners of the Tribes of Israel, the Chinese to denote clan and rank and particularly of note today and with special meaning to the Centurion Lodge the Banners used by the Roman Legions.
The modern day study of flags is called Vexillology – the word deriving from the Latin word Vexillum meaning a flag or banner.
More recently trade unions and benevolent institutions have marched behind their banners as a mark of solidarity and commitment; youth organisations, such as the Scouts, Guides and Boy’s Brigade parade them to identify the respective units of their organisation; religious groups too where they are used in acts of worship, as a focus for their belief especially in Evangelical churches where flags are waved in praise of God.
In Freemasonry banners have always been an integral part of the furnishing and equipment of Masonic units. In both the Craft and Royal Arch; Lodges, Chapters, Provinces, Districts and of course Grand Lodge and Supreme Grand Chapter, have felt it necessary to have their own banner to mark their identity within the fraternity.
In the earliest days of the coming of Freemasons Lodges in the 15th Century in Scotland, Burgh Councils ordered that on occasions like the Candlemass Day parades the guilds should carry Banners before them to denote who they were.
At this time of course few people could read and the Banner with its symbolism explained the different Groups and Organisations. The understanding of symbolism by those that couldn’t read was far greater then than it is today.
The Mark Centurion Lodge No.1804 was formed in the year 2000 it’s primus Master being V.W. Bro. David Garston meeting at the Rochford Masonic Centre. But as many will know, the Centurion Lodge, like some others found its self, after 20 years getting into difficulties.
Not wanting the Lodge to have to hand in its warrant or be amalgamated with another Lodge and loose its own identity, the members approached the Province for guidance.
The discussions soon centred around repurposing the Centurion Lodge into a specialist lodge or one with a different format.
What we see here today is the result of that wonderful idea.
Now meeting here at Eastwood on a Saturday morning.
With as we can see all the splendour of Roman fittings and furnishings. Along with its new banner, which of course is why we are here today.
The Banner which we dedicate here today has at its centre an eight pointed star with a centurion holding a Gladius which is the type of sword that was used by ancient Roman foot soldiers starting from the 3rd century BC and until the 3rd century AD.
Centurion is a term used to describe a military officer in ancient Rome who commanded a century, which was a unit of typically around 100 soldiers within a legion. Centurions were responsible for leading and training their troops, maintaining discipline, and playing a crucial role in battle tactics and strategies. They held a rank between the common soldiers and higher-ranking officers, and their position was earned through exceptional skill, experience, and proven leadership capabilities.
( The centurion on your Banner is obviously a mason, as you can see his sword is in his left hand………and he was obviously taught to ‘’Stab off with the Left’’)
Below it has the Latin inscription ‘Pax Amor Virtus’. Meaning Peace Love Virtue along with the number of the Lodge 1804.
This crest or Badge dates back to the founding of the Lodge and can be seen on the Founders Jewels. At the top of the Banner it proudly states that this Lodge is part of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons in Essex. Under which is the Key Stone, with at its centre the Essex coat of arms the 3 Seax’s.
To the left and right are a pair of Ribbons with Latin inscriptions, that on the left saying ‘Consecratus 2000’ telling us that the Lodge was originally Consecrated in the year 2000. That on the right has the Latin Inscription ‘Renatus 2022’ meaning Re-Born in 2022.
Moving downwards and below the Badge at the centre is another ribbon bearing the Latin inscription ‘’Centurio Renatus’’ meaning Reborn as a Centurion.
You will notice that all the ribbons and artwork on the Banner are of the colour Tyrian Purple. This colour was worn by the Emperors of Rome to symbolise Imperial Power.
The dye for Tyrian Purple is made from the desiccated glands, which are wrenched from the calcified coils of spiny murex sea snails before being dried and boiled. To colour even a single small piece of fabric it took tens of thousands of these snails.
Unlike other textile colours, whose lustre faded rapidly, Tyrian purple only intensified with weathering and wear – a miraculous quality that commanded an exorbitant price, exceeding the pigment’s weight in precious metals. As such, it became a symbol, not just of power and wealth, but of extreme power and wealth and In Rome, only a very select few were allowed the privilege of wearing the colour.
The use of this colour on the Ribbons of the Banner along with the sky blue background, of course conveniently and by design matches the colours of the Mark Master Masons Degree.
At the base of the Banner can be seen the Chisel and Heavy Maul the items to be found on the Volume of the Sacred Law during our ceremonies. These of course add to the symbolisation that this is the Banner of a Mark Master Masons Lodge.
The new stand for your Banner has taken its design from a Roman Legion Banner and features at the top a Roman Eagle soaring above the storm, represented by the lightning strikes.
The eagle or aquila as it is known remains one of the most famous animal symbols associated with ancient Rome today. The standard bearer, the Aquilifer, would carry the eagle standard into battle.
The Aquila is often referred to as the Soul of the Legion as it shows the way forward, both while marching and in the battle.
An Eagle would also be set free during the Consecration of a new Emperor.
Brethren
As I spoke of earlier and perhaps we can now liken it to the members of the Centurion Lodge.
Members of the Centurion Lodge, like the Centurions of Old you are now responsible for leading and teaching, maintaining Discipline, playing a crucial role in strategies, using your skill and experience and your leadership qualities. To maintain and drive this newly reborn Lodge forward.
And
Like the colour Tyrian Purple may your Lodge never fade but grow ever more lustrous and colourful as time goes by.
May your membership grow so that you are like the Centurions of old and you will get to look after one hundred members.
Brethren may you always be as proud to arrange yourselves beneath your Banner as you are today, amongst your fellow Brethren and your friends.
Thank you Brethren.
W.Bro. Roger L. Smith PPJGW - Provincial Grand Chaplain
Brethren, To-day is another important milestone in the history of this Lodge and we have gathered together today to dedicate the Banner of the Centurion Lodge of Mark Master Masons No.1804. It is indeed a privilege for us as Visitors to join you today on this very special occasion.
As we are all probably aware, banners, standards or ensigns have long been used by a variety of organisations, to establish identity and to be a focus for all who range thereunder. There are so many examples of this in history:- Armies following their banner into battle and rallying around it when needing to regroup. The Banners of the Tribes of Israel, the Chinese to denote clan and rank and particularly of note today and with special meaning to the Centurion Lodge the Banners used by the Roman Legions.
The modern day study of flags is called Vexillology – the word deriving from the Latin word Vexillum meaning a flag or banner.
More recently trade unions and benevolent institutions have marched behind their banners as a mark of solidarity and commitment; youth organisations, such as the Scouts, Guides and Boy’s Brigade parade them to identify the respective units of their organisation; religious groups too where they are used in acts of worship, as a focus for their belief especially in Evangelical churches where flags are waved in praise of God.
In Freemasonry banners have always been an integral part of the furnishing and equipment of Masonic units. In both the Craft and Royal Arch; Lodges, Chapters, Provinces, Districts and of course Grand Lodge and Supreme Grand Chapter, have felt it necessary to have their own banner to mark their identity within the fraternity.
In the earliest days of the coming of Freemasons Lodges in the 15th Century in Scotland, Burgh Councils ordered that on occasions like the Candlemass Day parades the guilds should carry Banners before them to denote who they were.
At this time of course few people could read and the Banner with its symbolism explained the different Groups and Organisations. The understanding of symbolism by those that couldn’t read was far greater then than it is today.
The Mark Centurion Lodge No.1804 was formed in the year 2000 it’s primus Master being V.W. Bro. David Garston meeting at the Rochford Masonic Centre. But as many will know, the Centurion Lodge, like some others found its self, after 20 years getting into difficulties.
Not wanting the Lodge to have to hand in its warrant or be amalgamated with another Lodge and loose its own identity, the members approached the Province for guidance.
The discussions soon centred around repurposing the Centurion Lodge into a specialist lodge or one with a different format.
What we see here today is the result of that wonderful idea.
Now meeting here at Eastwood on a Saturday morning.
With as we can see all the splendour of Roman fittings and furnishings. Along with its new banner, which of course is why we are here today.
The Banner which we dedicate here today has at its centre an eight pointed star with a centurion holding a Gladius which is the type of sword that was used by ancient Roman foot soldiers starting from the 3rd century BC and until the 3rd century AD.
Centurion is a term used to describe a military officer in ancient Rome who commanded a century, which was a unit of typically around 100 soldiers within a legion. Centurions were responsible for leading and training their troops, maintaining discipline, and playing a crucial role in battle tactics and strategies. They held a rank between the common soldiers and higher-ranking officers, and their position was earned through exceptional skill, experience, and proven leadership capabilities.
( The centurion on your Banner is obviously a mason, as you can see his sword is in his left hand………and he was obviously taught to ‘’Stab off with the Left’’)
Below it has the Latin inscription ‘Pax Amor Virtus’. Meaning Peace Love Virtue along with the number of the Lodge 1804.
This crest or Badge dates back to the founding of the Lodge and can be seen on the Founders Jewels. At the top of the Banner it proudly states that this Lodge is part of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons in Essex. Under which is the Key Stone, with at its centre the Essex coat of arms the 3 Seax’s.
To the left and right are a pair of Ribbons with Latin inscriptions, that on the left saying ‘Consecratus 2000’ telling us that the Lodge was originally Consecrated in the year 2000. That on the right has the Latin Inscription ‘Renatus 2022’ meaning Re-Born in 2022.
Moving downwards and below the Badge at the centre is another ribbon bearing the Latin inscription ‘’Centurio Renatus’’ meaning Reborn as a Centurion.
You will notice that all the ribbons and artwork on the Banner are of the colour Tyrian Purple. This colour was worn by the Emperors of Rome to symbolise Imperial Power.
The dye for Tyrian Purple is made from the desiccated glands, which are wrenched from the calcified coils of spiny murex sea snails before being dried and boiled. To colour even a single small piece of fabric it took tens of thousands of these snails.
Unlike other textile colours, whose lustre faded rapidly, Tyrian purple only intensified with weathering and wear – a miraculous quality that commanded an exorbitant price, exceeding the pigment’s weight in precious metals. As such, it became a symbol, not just of power and wealth, but of extreme power and wealth and In Rome, only a very select few were allowed the privilege of wearing the colour.
The use of this colour on the Ribbons of the Banner along with the sky blue background, of course conveniently and by design matches the colours of the Mark Master Masons Degree.
At the base of the Banner can be seen the Chisel and Heavy Maul the items to be found on the Volume of the Sacred Law during our ceremonies. These of course add to the symbolisation that this is the Banner of a Mark Master Masons Lodge.
The new stand for your Banner has taken its design from a Roman Legion Banner and features at the top a Roman Eagle soaring above the storm, represented by the lightning strikes.
The eagle or aquila as it is known remains one of the most famous animal symbols associated with ancient Rome today. The standard bearer, the Aquilifer, would carry the eagle standard into battle.
The Aquila is often referred to as the Soul of the Legion as it shows the way forward, both while marching and in the battle.
An Eagle would also be set free during the Consecration of a new Emperor.
Brethren
As I spoke of earlier and perhaps we can now liken it to the members of the Centurion Lodge.
Members of the Centurion Lodge, like the Centurions of Old you are now responsible for leading and teaching, maintaining Discipline, playing a crucial role in strategies, using your skill and experience and your leadership qualities. To maintain and drive this newly reborn Lodge forward.
And
Like the colour Tyrian Purple may your Lodge never fade but grow ever more lustrous and colourful as time goes by.
May your membership grow so that you are like the Centurions of old and you will get to look after one hundred members.
Brethren may you always be as proud to arrange yourselves beneath your Banner as you are today, amongst your fellow Brethren and your friends.
Thank you Brethren.
W.Bro. Roger L. Smith PPJGW - Provincial Grand Chaplain
