12/27/2025
Happy St. John Day!!!
For Freemasonry, the Feast of St. John the Evangelist was utilized by many of the early Grand Lodges in England and Scotland as well as individual lodges. The Lodge of Edinburgh was associated with the aisle of St. John the Evangelist in St. Giles Cathedral as far back as the 15th century. The Grand Lodge of All England, which was a masonic body located primarily in the city of York, as well as it's predecessor the Ancient Society of Freemasons in the City of York, elected it's President and, starting in 1725, its Grand Master on the Feast of St. John the Evangelist. The Antient Grand Lodge of England also elected it's Grand Master on the same day. When the Antients and the Moderns merged in 1813 to become the United Grand Lodge of England it occurred on the Feast of St. John the Evangelist
Our ancient Brethren would have known him as the “beloved disciple” who was the author of the Gospel of John, First and Second John and the Revelation of St. John the Divine. This is the St. John the Evangelist to whom they chose to dedicate their Lodges. Even if some of the modern criticism is correct and he is, in effect, a composite of several men named John, it makes little difference. It is through these writings that we know him, and it is through these writings we find the basis for dedicating our Lodges to him. St. John is revered as an author with exceptional spiritual insight. For this reason he is often pictured with an eagle as his symbol and is the patron saint of authors.
His life
St. John is thought to be the youngest of the disciples and is often pictured as a very young person. He was evidently the younger brother of James. It is generally accepted that he is the only one of the 12 Disciples to have not died a violent martyrs’ death. Instead in 94 A.D. he was banished to the Isle of Patmos. St. John lived, by some accounts, to the age of 96, dying in the year 100. If that is correct, and Jesus’ ministry took place at roughly 30 AD, he would have been about 26 during that ministry.
He did not flee when Jesus was arrested. He apparently attended the trial by the Sanhedrin and was at the foot of the cross when Jesus was crucified. At that point he was entrusted by Jesus with the care of St. Mary, Jesus mother. Painting of the last supper showing St. John leaning on the breast of Jesus as He holds the cup of wineThe account of the Last Supper has him leaning on Jesus breast. All of which would indicate that he had a special relationship with Jesus, consistent with him being the “beloved disciple”.
This special relationship and his presence at the foot of the cross would have been persuasive in according him a special position by our ancient Brethren in dedicating their lodges. It also makes him a logical bookend to St. John the Baptist with one representing the beginning of Jesus public ministry and the other representing its conclusion.
His teachings
Based on his teachings and the example of his life, he is the patron saint of love, loyalty, friendships and authors.
Who better to be a patron saint of Freemasonry than the patron saint of love, loyalty and friendships. In addition, he is committed to seeking the light. A few examples follow:
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, That God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1: 5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. …4. In him was life; and the life was the light of men….5. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:1.
Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. 9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:8
These quotes are offered as examples of St. John’s use of light as a symbol of truth, brotherly love, and something to be sought after. All of these are concepts that can resonate with Freemasons, even if they do not accept the Christian context in which St. John presents them. They clearly would have resonated with our ancient Brethren. See you later tonight
