The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization and secret society[1] founded at Washington, DC on 19 February 1864.
The Knights of Pythias was the first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an act of the United States Congress (approved May 5, 1870 [16 Stat. at L. 98, chap. 80]). It was founded by Justus H. Rathbone, who had been inspired by a play by the Irish poet John Banim about the legend of Damon and Pythias. This legend illustrates the ideals of loyalty, honor and friendship that are central to the order.
The order has over two-thousand lodges in the United States and around the world, with a total membership of over 50,000 in 2003.
The order's auxiliaries are the Pythian Sisters, the less-serious Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan, The Nomads of Avrudaka, and two youth organizations: the Pythian Sunshine Girls and the Junior Order, Knights of Pythias for boys.
Membership requires "Belief in a Supreme Being".
Degrees of Pythian Knighthood in the subordinate lodge (or Castle) are 1 Page 2 Esquire 3 Knight
Famous Pythian Knights
References
- ^ Carnahan, James R. Pythian Knighthood: Its History and Literature, 2nd Ed, Revised and Enlarged. The Pettibone Manufacturing Company, Fraternity Publishers, Cincinnati, 1892.
- ^ The Political Graveyard: Knights of Pythias, politicians, Nebraska
- ^ The Political Graveyard: Knights of Pythias, politicians, California
- ^ The Political Graveyard: Knights of Pythias, politicians, Minnesota
- ^ a b c The Political Graveyard: Knights of Pythias, politicians, New York
- ^ Crawfordsville Saturday Evening Journal, June 19, 1875
External links
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