Esoteric Lineage of the Societas Rosae Crucis

A brief history of the esoteric traditions to emerge out of Europe's Religious Orders

Russell S. Hill

Copyright 1995 by Russell S. Hill

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be used or reproduced by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage retrieval system without the express written consent of author and the publisher except for brief quotations in an article or review. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of information contained herein. Publisher and author assume no liability for errors and omissions.

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Introduction
Spiritual heritage and the implied authority and privileges that go along with any appointment has long been a subject of great debate. How a spiritual lineage is disseminated and perpetuated may very well be a question best answered by asking another question. Does the spiritual discipline have a legitimate means of transmitting a legacy or heritage? One way to ascertain the validity of the transmitting authority is to investigate the philosophy and structure of the discipline in question. Does the original philosophy and charter of the organization allow transmission of its lineage? Another is the longevity of the organization. Longevity on the other hand has not always been the best measure of authenticity. An organization may have a very well established history without having been transmitted through the proper organizational authority. This last scenario brings us to the question of the legitimacy of reviving a traditional lineage through a spiritual egregore. An egregore is a communal consciousness created through the efforts of a group striving in harmony towards the accomplishment of a common goal. The greatest characteristic of an egregore is its ability to function in such a way as to simultaneously influence and stimulate all participating members with a proficiency that is greater than the entirety of its participants. An egregore has the unique quality of being able to survive the disruption of its original organization. Subsequently an egregore continues the conscious goals of its original founders which exist on the inner planes. Through meditative disciplines an individual may contact a powerful egregore and revive its spiritual tradition. In such an instance an individual or group may claim to be the legitimate representative of a spiritual tradition which no longer maintains a lineal succession. The particular manner in which a lineage is disseminated may in some respects be of little consequence if the ultimate goal, the empowerment of each individual, is being satisfied. The end result of initiation should be the unveiling of the divine within; anything short of this objective demands close scrutiny of the individual and the organization that is conferring the initiation. The acceptance of responsibility for enlightenment ultimately lies within the bosom of the initiate. The major sources of documented lineages that have been preserved and disseminated throughout the world by the most famous of Europe's Esoteric and Religious Orders are: A) Apostolic B) Masonic and C) Occult. Apostolic succession is passed through the laying on of hands by virtue of a consecration ceremony. Masonic authority is delegated through a charter by virtue of a ruling body. Occult powers are stimulated through a series of initiation ceremonies by virtue of personal achievement. In recent decades we have seen the merging of Apostolic ordinations with Esoteric and Occult initiations, thus creating a "synthesis" of Orders and new vehicles of initiation. American Esoteric traditions of the present era can trace their lineages back to a few common spiritual ancestors. All of the lines of succession discussed in this publication are lineages that are affirmed through Bishop Russell Hill of the Society of the Rose and Cross. Bishop Hill was consecrated by Bishop Tau Michael Bertiaux of the Monastery of the Seven Rays. The Monastery of the Seven Rays is a Gnostic/Theurgical Order derived from the Spanish Albigensian Church with original ties to a Roman Catholic Benedictine Order. The Spanish Albigensian Church was formed on French Gnostic traditions. Michael Bertiaux is Archbishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica Spiritualis, Patriarch of the Gnostic and Catholic Church and Hierophant of the Monastery of the Seven Rays.

Occult Pedigree
Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772), the son of a Swedish Lutheran Bishop, gained fame as a scientist and theologian. Swedenborg's theology was heavily influenced by his clairvoyant abilities. It was his work as a philosopher, mystic and initiate of the Masonic fraternity that lead to the founding of the Rite of Swedenborg, which disseminated his religious and spiritual doctrines throughout much of Europe (England, Holland, Germany and Sweden), Russia and the United States. Among the many notable people influenced by the far reaching impact of Swedenborg's teachings was his disciple Martines de Pasqually. Martines de Pasqually (d. 1774) founded a quasi-occult masonic lodge the Order of the Elect Cohens (1754). Louis Claude de Saint-Martin a young French soldier became aquainted with de Pasqually's teachings and subsequently was initiated. Saint-Martin devoted himself to de Pasqually's system which eventually brought about a lineal reformation known as Martinism. Louis Claude de Saint-Martin (1743-1803). Saint-Martin joined de Pasqually's Masonic lodge the Order of the Elect Cohens in 1768. After the death of de Pasqually, Saint-Martin began a career as an author and teacher of esoteric philosophy. The metaphysical teachings of Saint-Martin matured into the teaching focus of the Order of St. Martin. The Order of St. Martin was a modification of de Pasqually's Order. Martines de Pasqually, in the latter part of his life, moved to the island of St. Dominique (Haiti) where he set up Temples to disseminate a priestly magical lineage. The Order of St. Martin was also brought to the island by Haitians travelling between Paris and Port-au-Prince. In the years between 1890-1900 a revival of the Order of St. Martin led by Papus ensued. Gerard Encausse (1865-1916) known by the pseudonym "Papus" was initiated into the Order of St. Martin and in due course became Grand Master. In 1910 Papus conferred the Martinist Lineage and that of the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.), a German Magical Order, upon Lucien-Francois Jean-Maine. Lucien-Francois Jean-Maine (1869-1960) a Gnostic patriarch was chartered by Papus to establish a Haitian branch of the French O.T.O. Jean-Maine created the Ordo Templi Orientis Antigua (O.T.O.A.) in 1921; the La Couleuvre Noire (Cult of the Black Snake), a Voudoun Magical Order, was organized as a lateral order. Lucien-Francois circumcised his son Hector-Francois in Voudoun rites and baptized him into the Gnostic Ophidian current. Hector-Francois Jean-Maine (1925-1984), an adept of the highest order in the La Couleuvre Noire, opened the Temple of the Two Yggdrasills in the rites of Lycanthropie Kabbalistique in 1949. In 1955 Hector-Francois reformed the O.T.O.A. into a Gnostic Ophidian church and developed a Temple of Lycanthropie Kabbalistique. Hector-Francois initiated Michael Bertiaux. Michael Paul Bertiaux (1935- ) while visiting in Haiti studied magical theurgy under voudoun masters. Bertiaux was initiated into many forms of esoteric voudoun and subsequently entered into a magical pact with Hector-Francois. In 1970 Bertiaux was elected and consecrated Sovereign Grand Master of the O.T.O.A. Russell Slay Hill (1965- ) an occultist, author and initiate of the O.T.O. (Master Magician) was initiated into the esoteric voudoun rites of Zombeeisme (Mysteries of the Zombie) by Michael Bertiaux. Hill founded the Societas Rosae Crucis (Society of the Rose and Cross).

Monastery of the Seven Rays

The Monastery of the Seven Rays possesses within its Inner Retreat valid charters and warrants from the ensuing Ecclesiastical, Masonic and Occult Orders: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Ecclesiastical The Ecclesia Gnostica Spiritualis The Ecclesia Gnostica Ophitica The Albigensian Gnostic Rite of Haiti The Church of the Mandala of Giordano Bruno The American Synod of Gnostic Bishops The QBLH Alchemist Church Die Vereinigung fur gnostisches und theurgische Ontologie das esoterischen Christentum Die Vereinigung fur gnostisches und magisches Christentum

Masonic 9. The Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Mizraim 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Occult The Universal Martinist Federation of Initiates The Martinist Order of Rose-Croix and Aleph-Initiates The Interior Sanctuary of the Elect Priesthood The Naasenian Gnostic Brotherhood of Initiates and Adepts The Esoteric Rite of the Rose-Croix The Fraternitas Hermetica

Masonic (Templar) Lineage

The authority transmitted through charters, initiations and warrants as issued through regular Masonic Lodges include appointments, authorities and powers to extensive to delineate in this publication. The specific lineage as derived from Bernard Fabre-Palapret is of uncertain origin and therefore suspect in regards to its claim of authenticity. The lineage that is derived from John Yarker is widely accepted as a legitimate succession. Yarker was installed a Knight Templar in the Jerusalem Conclave. The Templar lineage transmitted through Yarker and his successors is accepted as authentic by the Grand Lodge of England as far as this lineage is transmitted within duly chartered Masonic Lodges. Hugues de Payens (1118) along with nine other Knights Crusaders took an oath before the Patriarch of Constantinople and founded the Poor Fellow-Soldiery of the Holy House of the Temple. The Templars claimed to be initiates of the Johannite Mysteries and successors of a Sovereign Priesthood. The first part of the Templar lineage is derived from the Ordo Supremus Militaris Templi Hierosolymitani (O.S.M.T.H.) and begins with Bernard-Raymond Fabre-Palaprat. The second part of the Templar lineage is derived from the Ancient and Primitive Rite of MemphisMizraim and begins with Lucien-Francois Jean-Maine who received charters and warrants from Papus. Bernard-Raymond Fabre-Palaprat (1804) a Patriarch of Eglise Johannite des Chretiens Primitifs was consecrated Grand Master of O.S.M.T.H. Jean Machault (1810) was consecrated by Guillaume Mauviel assisted by Fabre-Palaprat as Primate Eglise Johannite des Chretiens Primitifs. Ferdinand Toussaint Chatel (1831) was consecrated by Machault as Primate des Gaules. Michael Henri d'Adhemar (1836) was consecrated by Chatel assisted by Luc Barneoud and Louis Vacherot as Primate of l'Eglise Albigeoise. Manuel Lopez de Brion (1857) was consecrated by d'Adhemar assisted by Luc Barneoud and Louis Vacherot as Bishop of l'Eglise Albigeoise. Paul P. de Marraga (1860) was consecrated by de Brion as Bishop of l'Eglise Albigeoise. Lucien-Francois Jean-Maine (1899) was consecrated by de Marraga as Bishop l'Eglise Spirite Albigeoise. In 1910 Papus transmitted the authority to govern and rule the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Mizraim to Jean-Maine. Papus received charters and warrants for the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Mizraim from John Yarker, Masonic Grand Constable of England. Martin Ortier de Sanchez y Marraga * In 1960 Sanchez y Marraga inherited the government of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Mizraim. Hector-Francois Jean-Maine (1953) was consecrated by Lucien-Francois as Bishop l'Eglise Spirite Albigeoise. In 1963 Hector-Francois inherited the charters and warrants for the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Mizraim. Michael Paul Bertiaux (1963) was consecrated by Hector-Francois as Bishop l'Eglise Spirite Albigeoise. In 1975 Bertiaux was consecrated Grand-Hierophant Conservator of the Rite of MemphisMizraim.

Russell Slay Hill (1990) received the Templar consecrations and was elevated to the 94th degree, Sublime Prince of Memphis (Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Mizraim) by Michael Bertiaux; sequential to his initiation the entire initiatory system of Memphis-Mizraim was conferred upon him. In 1995 Michael Bertiaux conferred the 95th degree Sublime Prince of the Magi (Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Mizraim) on Brother Hill and appointed him Grand Conservator of the Rite of Memphis-Mizraim (Sublime Patriarch Grand Conservator of the Rite). Hill organized a lateral Egyptian Rite; reviving ancient temple initiations. Michael Augustine von Stambach Bruce received the Templar Lineage as transmitted to him by Russell Hill. Bruce is a Knight of the Noble Company of the Rose.

Apostolic Succession
Roman Catholic St. Peter (d. 64) was one the original twelve apostles of Christ. Simon Peter was the leader of Christ's disciples after the crucifixion. Peters ministry covered the entire Holy Land and tradition recounts he travelled to Antioch, Corinth and Rome to set up churches and confer the Priesthood lineage of Christ. The Roman Catholic Line of Apostolic Succession is traced through the consecrations derived by the Church of Rome from St. Peter to Pope Alexander VII. Alexander VII (1655) Old Catholic The Old Catholic Line of Succession begins with Antonio Cardinal Barberini who was consecrated in the Roman succession. The Old Catholic Church descends through Holland, England and the United States of America. Antonio Cardinal Barberini (1655) The Old Catholic Church as it descends through Holland is traced through consecrations derived from Barberini to Geraldus Gul. Geraldus Gul (1892) the Old Catholic Archbishop of Utrecht consecrated Arnold Harris Mathew, Old Catholic Archbishop of Great Britain. Arnold Harris Mathew (1908) Prince de Landis Duc de St. Winock (1913) Carmel Henry Carfora (1916) Mather Williams Sherwood (1931) Michael Paul Bertiaux (1965) a former Anglican Priest was consecrated by Hector-Francois as a Bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica Spiritualis in 1963. Sherwood subconditionally consecrated Bertiaux in the lineage of the Old Catholic Church. Russell Slay Hill (1990) was consecrated a Bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica Spiritualis. Hill later took the ecclesiastical name Tau Gregorius. As an auxiliary of his ecclesiastical office Tau Gregorius administers traditional sacraments within the Ecclesia Gnostica Lucis Sanctae. Michael Augustine von Stambach Bruce (1995) was subconditionally consecrated during a Sacred Liturgy of the Societas Rosae Crucis. Bruce is the founding Bishop-Abbot of the Order of the Americas. Jacobite-Antiochan Ignatius Peter III Patriarch of Antioch issued ecumenical orders to Archbishop Francis Xavier Alvarez who consecrated Joseph Rene Villate as Archbishop of North America. Francis Xavier Alvarez (1888) consecrated Joseph Rene Villate Archbishop of North America.

Joseph Rene Villate (1892) Fredrich Ebenezer Lloyd (1915) James Heard assisted by Lloyd's Order of Antioch consecrated W.B. Crowe, Grand Master of the Order of Holy Wisdom, as Patriarch of Antioch. Mar Basilius Abdullah III (1943) Mar Georgius (1944) Robert Marie Gustave Lutgen (1953) Ronald Powell Duc de Palatine (1953) Forest E. Barber (1965) in 1979 exchanged mutual consecrations with Michael Bertiaux. Michael Paul Bertiaux (1979) was subconditionally consecrated by Forest Barber. Russell Slay Hill (1990) in 1995 exchanged mutual consecrations with Michael Bruce. Michael Augustine von Stambach Bruce (1995) Russian Orthodox The Russian line of succession is derived from the Orthodox Church through Marcarius of Moscow. Marcarius consecrated Evokim an Archbishop around the time of the Russian Revolution. Evokim consecrated Aftimios Ofiesh a Bishop. Aftimios Ofiesh (1917) William Albert Nichols (1932) George W. Plummer (1934) W.B. Crowe (1943) Hugh de Wilmott-Newman (1944) Ronald Powwell, Duc de Palatine (1953) Forest E. Barber (1965) Michael Paul Bertiaux (1979) Russell Slay Hill (1990) activated the title and office of Patriarch of Moscow. The office of patriarch was discovered by Michael Bertiaux in September of 1989 while Hill was assisting in the consecration service of Mother Kathrine. Michael Augustine von Stambach Bruce (1995) Included in the repertoire of Apostolic Successions received by Russell Hill at the time of his consecration are the following: Armenian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Syrian-Antiochan, SyrianGallican and Syrian-Malabar Successions.

Society of the Rose and Cross

Societas Rosae Crucis is a religious organization founded upon Rosicrucian principles. The Society was formed out of the Hermetic Research Society, the teaching organization for the esoteric educational writings of Bishop Russell Slay Hill (Tau Gregorius). The Society of the Rose and Cross officially replaced the Hermetic Research Society on January 1, 1995. Societas Rosae Crucis derives its Apostolic Succession and Esoteric Lineage from Bishop Tau Gregorius. Bishop Hill was consecrated at Chicago, Ill., July 14, 1990, by Bishop Tau Michael Bertiaux. At the time of his consecration as a Bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica Spiritualis, Bishop Hill receivied initiation into the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Mizraim. Bishop Hill trained for Religious Knighthood (nobilitas minor) with Bishop Bruce, Knight Grand Cross, of the Order of Americas. Order of the Americas Order of the Americas is a chivalric religious order with a full functioning educational ministry (Gnostic Academy). The Order was founded on April 26, 1994 by Bishop Michael von Stambach Bruce. Bishop Bruce was Knighted in the Noble Company of the Rose under the patronage of His Serene Highness Prince Ernst August zur Lippe, whose father was the last reigning sovereign of the principality of Lippe (absorbed into Germany following WWII). Order of the Americas derives its Apostolic Succession from Bishop Michael von Stambach Bruce. Bishop Bruce was consecrated at San Francisco, Calif., April 25, 1994, by Bishop Lewis Stuart Keizer as an independent Bishop of the Sanctuary of the Gnosis. At the time of his consecration Bishop Bruce received initiation into the Temple of the Holy Grail (T:.H:.G:.). In December 1994, Bishop Bruce renounced any affiliation with T:.H:.G:. and the International Federation of Gnostic Bishops. Order of the Americas has revived two ancient Gnostic sacraments of empowerment. These sacraments transmit the empowerment of the Egyptian Priest-Kings and Queens and the empowerment of the matrilineal succession (Sophia). Sanctuary of the Gnosis Sanctuary of the Gnosis is the organizational representative of the lineage held by Bishop Richard, Duc de Palatine. All of the esoteric and Masonic charters held by Sanctuary of the Gnosis are derived from John Yarker, Masonic Grand Constable of England. Yarker initiated and installed James Heard as the first Vicarius Salomonis, Conservator of the Ancient Universal Pan-Sophic Rite of Masonry. Heard transmitted this authority to Hugh de Wilmott-Newman who transmitted the same to Richard Powell, Duc de Palatine. The successor of de Palatine's organization The Order of the Pleroma is Bishop Count George Boyer who synthesized all of de Palatine's charters and warrants into the Sanctuary of the Gnosis. The Apostolic Holy Orders received by Bishop Bruce are as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. Illuminist The Fratres Lucis (Brotherhood of the Illuminati) Order of the Martiniste LVX Brotherhood of Luxor

5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Templar The Order of the Knights of the Holy Ghost The Order of the Knights of St. John The Order of the Knights of Malta The Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre The Order of the Temple (Apostolic Succession) Rosicrucian The Order of the Rose Croix of Hiredom The Order of the True Rosy Cross The Order of the Ecclesiae Rosicrucianae Catholicae The Order of the Holy Royal Arch of Enoch The Hidden Church of the Holy Grail Masonic The Ancient and Primitive Rite The Rite of Memphis The Rite of Mizraim The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite The Swedenborgian Rite of Masonry New American Synthesis

10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

15. 16. 17. 18. 19.

On January 1, 1995 during a Sacred Liturgy of the Society of the Rose and Cross Michael Augustine von Stambach Bruce and Russell Slay Hill mutually exchanged subconditional consecrations in the spirit of Brotherly Love. Furthermore under the ecclesiastical office of Bishop, Bruce and Hill were among the original co-founders of the Worldwide Gnostic Fellowship. The combined and synthesized lineage held by Bishops Bruce and Hill cover almost the entire known spectrum of Religious Orders to emanate out of Europe and represent the most important esoteric lineages transmitted in America. The mutual exchange of consecrations and the co-founding of the Worldwide Gnostic Fellowship greatly enhanced their ministries in an effort to offer education, empowerment and enlightenment to all who seek the Light and Truth.

Sources
A Dictionary of Freemasonry - Robert Macoy Episcopi Vagantes and the Anglican Church - Henry Brandreth George Boyer - personal letters to Lewis Keizer GNOSTICA - Vol. I, No. 5 GNOSTICA - Vol. I, No. 6 GNOSIS magazine - #6 Winter 1988 Michael Bertiaux - conversations and personal letters to R. Hill Morals and Dogma - Albert Pike Order of the Americas - Bishop Michael von Stambach Bruce Societas Rosae Crucis - Bishop Russell Slay Hill The Encyclopedia of American Religions - J. Gordon Melton