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We serve our community across the United States, Canada, and the world.

The Order of Knights of Pythias is an international, non-sectarian fraternal order, established in Washington, DC on February 19, 1864 by Justus H. Rathbone. It was the first fraternal order to be chartered by an Act of Congress.

Pythians Support Camp Good Days (Copy)

Welcome

Thank you for visiting the website of the Knights of Pythias. The Order of Knights of Pythias, a great international, non-sectarian fraternity, founded in Washington, DC, by Justus H. Rathbone, in 1864, became the first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an act of the Congress of the United States after careful investigation by then-President Abraham Lincoln.

Our fraternal order follows three distinguishing principles, Friendship, Charity and Benevolence. Domains of the Order exist in most states and provinces, and subordinate lodges are located in many cities and towns across the United States, Canada and Europe.

Our order bases its lessons and builds it ritual largely on the familiar story of the friendship of Damon and Pythias. These historical characters lived about four hundred or more years before the beginning of the Christian era. They were members of a school, founded by Pythagoras, who was known as the father of Greek philosophy. Their loyalty to each other, the adventures that beset them, and the outcome of this noble friendship, form the basis for one of the most beautiful stories of history as exemplified in our ritual.

The Knights of Pythias supports charitable, benevolent, fraternal and social activities through its subordinate lodges, their members and the communities each services.

The primary charity supported by Supreme Lodge is the American Cancer Society. Many other charities and programs are supported by our Grand Lodges and Subordinate Lodges.

The real common thread throughout the Knights of Pythias involves our commitment to help people; when asked what we do, we answer quite simply: We volunteer! We help people! This common thread shows itself in everything we do. If someone approaches a Pythian and asks what we do, a Pythian simply lists the things that our order and the Pythian's home lodge does and asks them if they want to help volunteer. Each year, the Supreme Chancellor's Message, which outlines our annual program, reflects that imperative.

For information on becoming a member of the Order of the Knights of Pythias please send request through our “Ask About Membership” form. A brother from your state will follow-up to assist you with information about our Order and the lodge nearest you.

Reach Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias at:

Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias
458 Pearl Street
Stoughton, MA 02702-1655

Phone: 781-341-2422
Fax: 781-341-0496
Email: supremelodge - at - pythias.org

About the Order

Blog

Walk to End Alzheimer's in East Meadow, NY

On Sunday, October 1, 2023, many Pythians participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer's® in East Meadow, NY. Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's® is the world's largest fundraiser for Alzheimer's care, support, and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease. It is wonderful that Pythians came together for an inspiring community event that celebrates the commitment to ending this disease. Special thanks to PCDGC/AGT Sir Marty Nyear and PACDGC Scott Geffon for being our team leaders, the Third Pythian District, Alliance-Mid Island Lodge #801, and Island Lodge #623 for their generous donations. Our Pythian team raised over $2,800. This year, the charity of the Knights of Pythias Order is the Alzheimer Association. Thank you to all who participated and donated to fight this dreadful disease. Association. Respectfully submitted, DGC David Salem.

Pediatric ICU at Maria Farer Children’s Hospital donation

The Pediatric ICU at Maria Farer Children’s Hospital sincerely thanks the members and leadership of the Imperial Palace Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan Foundation and the Imperial Santha Foundation, Nomads of Avrudaka, for their generous support!

Fall Event Suggestions

Greetings, fellow Pythians! As we approach the fall season, we have exciting opportunities to serve our communities and celebrate our friendship, charity, and benevolence. In this blog post, the Supreme Lodge will share ideas for Halloween and Thanksgiving service projects for your local lodges or Pythian groups to consider.

Engraved Silver Dues Card Holder

One of the Knights even produced an engraved silver dues card holder which had belonged to pioneer, businessman, photographer, and Knight of Pythias, Edward J. Lawless of Sisson (now Mt. Shasta) who would undoubtedly have been at the aforesaid meeting, and would have likely been carrying that same dues card holder.

Berkley Lodge #162 Refurbishes Pythian Cave

Winners of the 2023 Supreme Lodge Poster Contest

Grand Lodge of Tennessee Convention

The Grand Lodge of Tennessee convened for its annual convention in Pigeon Forge on Jun 2-4, 2023. The event was well-attended and led by GC Dennis Kelly. The Supreme Lodge was represented by the Supreme Prelate Tim VanBoeing, who delivered a keynote speech. The convention also elected new officers for the next term, including Mike Melton as Grand Chancellor, Mike Hartley as Supreme Representative, and Steve Gregory as Grand Secretary. The outgoing officers, Jim Lynn and Bobby Crowe, were honored for their long and distinguished service to the Order.

Monte Bello Lodge #10 Donates Book to the Florence Library

When a member of the local Florence Lodge passes away it is customary for the membership to donate a book to the Florence Lauderdale Public Library in memory of that member. Harry’s family recommended that the Lodge donate “The Fight in the Clouds” by James P. Busha. The book is about pilots who flew the P-51Mustang during World War II. Harry’s father, the late George Williams, another longtime resident of Florence, was a pilot in a P-51 Mustang during World War II.

Message from the Supreme Chancellor and Challenge Coin Fundraiser

In February, I had challenge coins created. The coin is similar to other coins developed by Past Supreme Chancellors. The obverse has the Knights of Pythias Logo consistent with other challenge coins, but on the reverse is the symbol of the five countries where Pythian Lodges exist. For those who don’t know (US, Canada, Philippines, Italy, and England).

I have been awarding the coin for a $10 donation to the Alzheimer’s association. We can continue to chip away at the incredible challenges this disease brings. Many of the Supreme Lodge Officers have taken a small amount to sell. Thank you to all that have made a donation to get a coin. If you have any questions, please send me an

2023 Read & Ride Program

This year’s read and ride program has been completed and without a doubt it was the “best” we have ever had. This year the Pythian Sisters helped distribute the bikes to the students of Teays Valley School District.

This was the first time we pick a student (2nd grader) and he looked at the principle and said, “may I have the microphone?” He proceeded to tell everyone in the room that he wanted to give his bike to a classmate that deserved (needed) it more than him. At that time everyone in the room was wiping tears from their eyes. Later he told me that his parents just got him a new bike for his birthday. He wanted to “pay it forward !!!”