En: Swedish Rite

Swedish Rite

The Swedish Rite is a variation or Rite of Freemasonry that is common in Scandinavian countries (and to a lesser extent in Germany). It is different from other branches of Freemasonry in that it insists on its members being professing Christians.

The Swedish Rite is common in Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Finlandic and Icelandic freemasonry. A slight variation is common in parts of Germany under the Große Landesloge der Freimaurer von Deutschland. Also other craft masonic bodies are working in the nordic countries (see further under freemasonry in Sweden and freemasonry in Denmark). However only one Grand Lodge in each country is working the Swedish Rite, each of which governs its own jurisdiction. Although fully independent, the Scandinavian Grand Lodges work closely together to keep their rituals as similar as possible.

The Rite is divided into three divisions:

In addition one may attain the XIth degree, although only a very few gain this as it primarily is given to Grand Lodge officers. The Swedish Rite demands members be Christian and not just that they believe in a supreme being. Like other Regular Masonic jurisdictions, only men are allowed membership.

Since 7 November 2006 all laws of the Swedish Order of Freemasons are publicly available on the Internet. Among others, the laws prohibit any member to gain advantages outside the lodge by using the lodge as an instrument. The laws also stress the charity works of the members and the observance of the Golden Rule.