Order of the Eastern Star

(Revision as of 06:04, 19 Jan 2005)

Categories: Organizations

The Order of the Eastern Star was established in 1850 by Robert Morris, a Mason, lawyer and educator from Boston, Massachusetts who composed the initiatiatory rituals. It has approximately one million members under its General Grand Chapter. Members of the Order are aged 18 and older; men must be Master Masons and women must have specific Masonic relationships.

The stated purposes of the organization are: Charity, Education, Fraternity and Science; although a general ethic of Christian morality underscores the fraternity. As their website says, the Eastern Star "strives to take good people and through uplifting and elevating associations of love and service, and through precept and example, build an Order which is truly dedicated to charity, truth and loving kindness." [1] (http://easternstar.org/oes/frame.html)

They are organized into Chapters, headed by the General Grand Chapter (GGC), which is located within their International Headquarters, (also known as the International Temple) in Washington DC. Within America, they are divided into four Grand Jurisdictions: the various states (not including NY and NJ), Canada, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Other International Jurisdictions include Brazil, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, China, and Saudi Arabia.