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The Ancient and Accepted Rite of Freemasonry is one of two branches of
Freemasonry to which a Master Mason may proceed after he has completed
the Symbolic Degrees of Ancient Craft Freemasonry. The Ancient and
Accepted Rite includes the Degrees from the 4th through the 33rd. The
Ancient and Accepted Rite originated in France in the 1750s. The present
governing body, the Supreme Council 33 Degrees of the Ancient and
Accepted Rite for England and Wales was formed in 1845. The Supreme
Council of North America was official organized and warranted on May 7,
2006 by a Sovereign Grand Commander of the Ancient and Accepted Rite
from England and Nine Sovereign Grand Inspector Generals.

For all Lodges of Perfection (4th - 14th); Councils (15th - 16th); Chapters
(17th - 18th); and Consistories (19th - 32nd) under the auspices of the
Supreme Council of North America; to be authentic, all Decrees, Balusters,
Charters, Diplomas and other official documents must be issued from the
Holy Empire of the Supreme Council of North America.

To assure proper form and attribution, all Subordinate Bodies will date and
designate their official programs, announcements, and signatures from their
City, called a Valley, and their State, called and Orient, including the title.

The Ancient and Accepted Rite of Freemasonry shares the same belief of all
regular Masonic organizations that there is no higher Degree than that of
Master Mason. The Supreme Council of North America and its Subordinate
Bodies acknowledge the Supremacy of the Symbolic Grand Lodges and
Grand Masters within their jurisdictions. The Ancient and Accepted Rite
Degrees are lessons taught through allegory and by ancient traditional
customs. The lessons are taken from Biblical as well as more modern
historical events.

The 33rd Degree is conferred annually, at the Convention of the Supreme
Council, upon a select number of 32nd Degree Ancient and Accepted Rite
Masons who have contributed outstanding service to the organization,
community or the Ancient and Accepted Rite or who have exemplified in their
daily lives the true meaning of the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood
of God. A recipient may not apply for the 33rd Degree and must meet all
qualifications of the Supreme Council of North America.

The Supreme Council of North America do not recognize any Scottish Rite
body claiming jurisdiction over the philosophical degrees. See the Declaration
of the Grand Lodge of the 3 Globes at Berlin for it's reasoning.