n., pl. Knights of Pythias.
A member of a secret, philanthropic fraternal order founded in 1864.
Knight of Pythias
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n., pl. Knights of Pythias.
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The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization and secret society[2] 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[3]. 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. Some lodges meet in structures referred to as Pythian Castles.
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
- Page
- Esquire
- Knight
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Notable Pythian Knights
- Hugo Black, U.S. Supreme Court Justice
- William Jennings Bryan - U.S. Senator from Nebraska [4]
- Benjamin Cardozo U.S. Supreme Court Justice[5]
- Warren G. Harding - U.S. President [6]
- Hubert Horatio Humphrey - U.S. Vice President [7]
- Richard Irvine Manning III - Businessman & Politician
- William McKinley - U.S. President [8]
- Nelson A. Rockefeller - U.S. Vice President[8]
- Joe Rollins - Houston, Texas, lawyer
- Franklin D. Roosevelt - U.S. President[8]
- Sun Ra - jazz musician, composer & band leader
- Lew Wallace - general, author, diplomat[9]
- Charles Schumer- U.S. Senator
- Robert Byrd- U.S. Senator
- Anthony Weiner- U.S. Congressman
- Peter T. King- U.S. Congressman
- Freddie Martin - Band Leader (Springfield, Ohio)
- President Abraham Lincoln had applied to be a member but was not able to be initiated because of his assassination.[citation needed]
See other
Notes and references
- ^ Caption: "Friendship, Charity, Benevolence. Knights of Pythias. Founded February 19th, 1864. The Order is founded upon naught but the purest and sincerest motives. Its aim is to alleviate the suffering of a brother, succor the unfortunate, zealously watch at the bedside of the sick, soothe the pillow of the dying, perform the last sad rights at the grave of a brother; offering consolation to the afflicted, and caring, with all a brother's love, for the widow and orphan. Brotherly love and charity are the Pillars on which it rests; Friendship and Truth the bond and surety of its preservation. Peace on earth and goodwill toward men. K. of P. Record. Certificate of Membership. This is to Certify That — was initiated as Page in — Lodge N° — Located at — State of — on the — day of 18 — Charged as Esquire — day of 18 — and proved as Knight — day of 18 — . In memory of brother — born — died — aged — yrs. — ms. — dys. In memory of sister — born — died — aged — yrs. — ms. — dys. Entered according to Act of Congress in the y. 1889 by J. M. Vickeroy, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C. Published by J. M. Vick[e]roy & Co., Terre-Haute, Indiana."
- ^ Carnahan, James R. Pythian Knighthood: Its History and Literature, 2nd Ed, Revised and Enlarged. The Pettibone Manufacturing Company, Fraternity Publishers, Cincinnati, 1892.
- ^ Approved May 5, 1870 [16 Stat. at L. 98, chap. 80]
- ^ The Political Graveyard: Knights of Pythias, politicians, Nebraska
- ^ Benjamin N. Cardozo Lodge at www.cardozospeaks.org
- ^ 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
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