I was recently examining our new Entered Apprentice and when I asked him the first question his response was in the plural with regard to the word Saint. When I attempted to correct him he informed me that a Brother from another lodge who was present at his last session and was listening to his responses and had “corrected” him in this manner. I had to re-correct him and I will now explain for those of you who may not have heard this before.
When we ask a new Brother from whence they came, their answer cannot be from a lodge of the Holy Saints John because they have never been there before. They were not yet a Mason, so how could they? The correct response is, and always has been (look in your cypher and you will see this word specifically spelled out in full to prevent misinterpretation) “From a lodge of the Holy SAINT John of Jerusalem.” Here we are referring to Saint John the Almoner.
Saint John the Almoner was the Patriarch of Alexandria in the early 7th century. He was born into a noble family from Cyprus. He had been married for a brief time but when his wife and child died he turn to religion for solace and moved to Jerusalem where he spent the rest of his days using his wealth to aid and assist pilgrims and refugees from the Persian assaults in the Holy Lands.
When we say we came from a lodge of the Holy Saint John then, we are saying that we come from a charitable background. We are recognized as a good and decent human being who cares for the wellbeing of others. This is the type of man that gets recommended to Masonry. This answer is part of the validation that we are worthy and well qualified to become a Mason.
Once we are accepted as a Mason, then we are Entered into a Lodge of the Holy Saints John, which refers to Saint John the Baptist (the beginning), and Saint John the Evangelist (the end.) I hope this clears up any further misunderstandings.
Fraternally Yours,
V:.W:. Ted Volkert, PAGL, PM