Council of Kadosh
The cordon is crimson, bordered with white, and worn from left to right. It teaches us that the zeal and ardor of a Grand Pontiff ought to be set off by the greatest purity of morals, perfect charity and beneficence. Where it crosses the breast, embroidered in gold are twelve stars and the Greek letters Alpha and Omega. The stars upon it allude to the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem, the twelve signs of the Zodiac, the twelve fruits of the Tree of Life, the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve Apostles. The initials of the Apostles' names appear upon the gates and foundations of the New Jerusalem. The columns in the set of this degree also number twelve. In this degree there is also a fillet, or head band, of blue with twelve stars upon it which have the same significance as those on the cordon. It is the peculiar emblem of a Grand Pontiff because the slightest contact with the earth will spoil its spotless purity. Similarly, the least indescretion will soil the exalted character which you have voluntarily assumed.
Another distinctive ornament of this degree is the breastplat of the High Priest of ancient Israel with twelve different gems embedded in a 4 X 3 matrix. Upon each gem is one of the initials of the twelve names (or attributes) of Deity mentioned in the ritual.
The jewel is an oblong square of solid gold, with the letter Aleph engraved on one side and Tau on the other. These letters are the first and last of the Hebrew alphabet as those upon the cordon are of the Greek. They should remind us of the love and veneration we owe to that Great Being, the source of all existence, the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last. On His promises we rely with perfect confidence, in whose mercy and goodness we implictly trust, and for the fulfillment of whose wise purposes we are content to wait.
DUTIES Be content to labor for the future. Serve the cause of truth with patience and industry. Destroy error, falsehood and intolerance with truth, honesty, honor and charity.
LESSONS Good will triumph over evil. The human intellect cannot measure the designs of God. If lived properly, this life is a bridge to eternal life.
FOR REFLECTION Do you live your life so that it is a bridge to immortality?
IMPORTANT SYMBOLS Twelve columns around the Council Chamber, the Tracing Board of the New Jerusalem, the colors blue and gold, the Spirit of Masonry.
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