Pyramid Membership Chairman - Harley Pretty - 203-877-8816 - hopytklown@cs.com

"Es Selamu Aleikum"

The Nobles of the Mystic Shrine

Who are the Shrine Nobles?

Usually called just “Shriners,” Masons who have joined a Shrine Temple are easily recognized by the red fez they wear. The name of the Shrine is “Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine” and the initials, A.A.O.N.M.S., are an anagram for A MASON.  The Shrine was founded on September 26, 1872 as a social organization by a group of particularly jovial, quickwitted Masons. Fun and fellowship were stressed more than ritual, and an Arabic theme was adopted for symbols and ceremonials.

The names of the officers—Potentate, Chief Rabban—the distinctive headgear, originated in Fez, Morocco, the regalia—silks fit for an eastern potentate—and the salutation—Es Selamu Aleikum (Peace be with you)—are all suggestive of the Western world’s fascination with Middle Eastern civilizations when the order was founded.

In 1920, The Imperial Shrine (the supreme governing body) officially adopted a resolution establishing the “Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children.” From that modest beginning has emerged a network of twenty-two hospitals, covering all of North America from Mexico City to Toronto, recognized as the greatest of all Masonic philanthropies, and among the greatest private philanthropies of all time.

Medinah beckons

Since its founding by thirteen Master Masons, the Shrine has grown to approximately 500,000 members in 191 Temples in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Panama. At about 800 members, Pyramid Temple, founded in 1876, is one of two Conneticut Temples, and serves the lower half of Conneticut.  An extensive cornucopia of activities has long been a Pyramid tradition. Members are encouraged to become involved with a unit, club or committee of their choice. Units range from the Pyramid Patrol (a marching unit), to the Drum & Bugle Corps, to the Little Wheels,  to Klowns—a total of twenty units and clubs from which to choose.  Local Shrine clubs—groups that meet regionally but are all members of Pyramid—also offer opportunities for fellowship and recreation. This plus a full calendar of parades, golf outings, dinners, holiday parties, anc activites for children, puts "exciting" into your Pyramid membership.

Pyramid Temple’s social events, from the informal family picnic, to the formal Potentate’s Ball, complete with tuxedo-clad, fez-festooned Nobles and their lavishly gowned Ladies, provide opportunities to experience life as it was intended to be lived: with grace, style, and most importantly, joie de vivre.

The Shrine’s best known success is its Shriners Hospitals for Children. A corollary effort, the East-West Shrine Football game, has raised millions of dollars for the hospitals and brought the story of the Hospitals to millions of TV viewers.

The Shrine was the first instance of a Masonic organization devoted to social activities. Its success indicates the need that it quickly filled. Now, over 100 years later, other Masonic social organizations dot the map, many boasting their own, different colored, versions of the Shrine’s famous red fez.

Shriners Hospitals established the first burn treatment center outside a military complex, alerting the medical community to the need for burn treatment, and causing the establishment of non-Shrine burn centers throughout North America.

Ask any ten Pyramid Nobles why he likes Pyramid Temple, and you’ll probably get 100 answers. There are many reasons why Pyramid Shriners has been an attractive fraternal choice for over 100 years. Its hallmark is the great brotherhood and social opportunities of all kinds it affords its members. Variety is another reason for its great appeal. There’s something for almost every taste and inclination at Pyramid Temple.

For those brethren making philanthropy their personal outlet, the Shriners Hospitals for Children have great appeal.

Becoming a Noble of Pyramid Shriners requires membership in an Ancient Craft Masonic lodge, completion of a membership petition, payment of the required fees and dues, and attendance at a Pyramid Temple Ceremonial. A petition accompanies this brochure. For more information, contact Pyramid Shriner Harley Pretty (203) 877-8816 or by e-mail: hopytklown@cs.com.   Es Selamu Aleikum.