The Answer to that age old Question: “What do those strange dates mean on the wall of the lodge?”
ANCIENT CRAFT MASONS commence their era with the creation of the world, calling it Anno Lucious (A.L.), in the Year of Light. To obtain this date add 4000 to the common year: Anno Domini 2000 becomes A.L. 6000.
– Lodges of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons hold Communications.
ROYAL ARCH MASONS date from the year the second Temple was commenced by Zerubbabel, calling it Anno Inventionis (A.I.), in the Year of Discovery. To obtain this date add 530 to the common year: A.D. 2000 becomes A.I. 2530.
– Chapters of Royal Arch Masons hold Annual Convocations.
THE ORDER OF THE HIGH PRIESTHOOD dates from the year of the blessing of Abraham by the High Priest Melchizedek, King of Salem, calling it Anno Benedictionis (A.B.), in the year of Blessing. To obtain these dates add 1913 to the common year: A.D. 2000 becomes A.B. 3913.
– Councils of the anointed High Priests hold Conventions.
ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS dates from the year in which the Temple of Solomon was completed, Anno Depositionis (A.D.), in the year of the Deposit. To obtain these dates add 1000 to the common year: Anno Domini 2000 becomes Anno Depositionis 3000.
– Councils of Royal And Select Masters hold Assemblies.
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR commence their era with the organization of the Order, Anno Ordinis (A.O.), in the year of the Order. To obtain these dates deduct 1118 from the common time: A.D. 2000 becomes A.O. 882.
– Preceptories of Knights Templar hold Assemblies
THE SCOTTISH RITE uses the same dates as Ancient Craft Masonry, except that they employ the Jewish chronology, Anno Mundi (A.M.), in the year of the World. Add 3760 to the common date making the change in September by adding the year in that month: from September 1, 1999 to August 31, A.D. 2000, the date is A.M. 5759.
– Consistories of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite hold Rendeqvous or Reunions.
King Lodge No. 461 