History
The Rancliffe Charter founding the Order dates from 1796 and since the establishment of Grand Imperial Conclave in 1865, now administered from Mark Masons' Hall, the Order has steadily grown with Conclaves to be found now world-wide.

The Order uses the Legend of Constantine and subsequent conversion of the Pagan Empire as an object lesson in the acquisition and confirmation of Faith. Candidates in this Order come to recognise how Christianity can be embraced by enacting the legend of Constantine's conversion set within a Masonic ritual that is linked with the history of the Roman Empire.

Constantine was the first Roman Emperor to openly encourage Christianity and declare his conversion to it. His conversion followed what he believed to be a miracle; this is celebrated during the ceremony of the first Degree of the Order.

The Roman Emperor Diocletian in 293 AD split the Empire into Eastern and Western Divisions for administrative and security reasons. He appointed a co-Emperor Maximian to govern the West, and each appointed an heir apparent known as a Caesar.

In 305 AD, Diocletian and Maximian retired as co-Emperors and Constantine's father, Constantius, succeeded to the Western Empire governing both Britain and Gaul. Constantius died at York while putting down a rebellion in 306 AD. The Roman legions in Britain immediately hailed Constantine as Augustus and he, in turn, became governor. This was to lead to the wars of succession that took Constantine to the decisive Battle of Milvian Bridge at Saxa Rubra, north-east of Rome, on 28th October 312 AD.

Legend holds that Constantine had directed a standard bearing a Cross be carried before him into battle. Afterwards, several Christians in his army at once came forward and avowed their own faith. In recognition, Constantine instructed that they should henceforth display a Red Cross emblazoned on their armour.

On his triumphant return to Rome, Constantine, with the help of his chief bishop, Eusebius is said thereafter to have formed a Conclave of Knights from among his Christian troops, and used them to replace the traditional Praetorian Guard as the personal bodyguard of the Emperor.

Constantine's victory established him as undisputed Emperor of both the East and West, and transferred the capital of his Empire from Rome to Byzantium, later to be named Constantinople in his honour.

Constantine had bravely espoused Christianity in his Pagan Empire, the first Emperor to do so, and conversion quickly spread to become the sole religion of the Roman Empire. He also was baptised on his death bed.

Organisation
The Order is administered by the Grand Imperial Conclave at the Registry of the Order at Mark Masons’ Hall in London by the Grand Sovereign, M. Ill. Kt. Richard Victor Wallis, G.C.C., supported by the Deputy Grand Sovereign R. Ill. & Em. Kt. Alexander Michael Jones, G.C.C and the Grand Eusebius, R. Ill. Kt. Dr. The Rev. Charles Peter Bernard Blackwell-Smyth, G.C.C. The Grand Recorder, V. Ill. Kt. John Brackley, P.G.H.Alm., and his staff undertake the daily administration on behalf of the Order.

The basic unit of the Order is a Conclave. The Provincial structure is organised into 32 Divisional Conclaves, of which there are 24 in England, two in Wales, two in New Zealand, two in South Africa, one in Jamaica and one in Benelux. There are also seven Conclaves that are not attached to any Division. Each Division is ruled by an Intendant-General, supported by a Deputy Intendant-General and a Divisional Recorder who undertakes the administrative work for the Division.

Qualifications for Membership
All candidates must:

• Be a Master Mason in a regular Craft Lodge;
• Be a Royal Arch Companion exalted in a regular Royal Arch Chapter;
• Profess a belief in the Christian Trinitarian faith.

The Degrees
This Christian Order is a tri-graded system. The first degree consists of the Candidates' admission, obligation and installation as a Knight Companion of the Red Cross of Constantine.

In a second part, conferred in separate ceremonies, the Knight Companion progresses to the Appendant Orders of the Holy Sepulchre and of St. John the Evangelist, further expanding the mystical and esoteric teachings of the Royal Arch and the Red Cross Degree.

The second degree is that of progression to Venerable Eusebius, necessary to act as Viceroy to the Sovereign whose office forms the third degree of the Order. These latter offices correspond to Senior Warden and Master in a Craft Lodge.

These ceremonies and those of the Appendant Orders are among the finest in Masonry. In particular, the two Chair ceremonies are arguably the most impressive of all and are a reflection of merit and responsibility founded on a firm Christian belief. Membership of the Order is therefore not to be conferred, or taken lightly.

Regalia for the Order is simple and merely consist on admission of a Breast Jewel, together with a Sash and second Jewel on taking the Appendant Orders; differenced only when attaining the Chairs, Divisional or Grand Rank.