African Architect Rite

The African Architect Rite, also referred to as the Rite of the African Brothers or the Crata Repoa Rite, is a Masonic order founded in 1767 in Prussia under the patronage of Frederick II the Great. Its Grand Master was Von Koppen, a member of the Strict Templar Observance. The rite is distinguished by its unique hierarchical structure and degrees, which were organized differently in Prussia and France.

In Prussia, the rite comprised seven classes, each with its own symbolism: 1st Pastophoris, 2nd Néocoris, 3rd Melanophoris, 4th Chistophoris, 5th Balahata, 6th Astronomer of the Gate of God, and 7th Prophet or Saphenath Pancah.

In France, around 1770 or 1778, the structure expanded to eleven degrees, guided by the teachings of Frère Bailleul. These degrees were divided into two temples. The first temple contained three blue degrees. The second temple included degrees four through eight: 4th Architect or Apprentice of Egyptian Secrets, 5th Initiated into Egyptian Secrets, 6th Cosmopolitan Brother, 7th Christian Philosopher, and 8th Master of Egyptian Secrets. Beyond the second temple were three higher degrees: 9th Armiger, 10th Miles, and 11th Eques.

A key symbolic element of the rite appears in the third degree, called the Gate of Death, which centers on the murder of a Master, often linked to Osiris, with no resurrection. The candidate remains in darkness until the fourth degree (Chistophoris), where they receive the shield of Isis. The fifth degree (Balahate) features a representation of Horus killing Typhon, echoing the ancient Egyptian triad of Osiris, Isis, and Horus. The primary aim of the African Architect Rite is to reveal the secrets of ancient Egypt and to offer a unique perspective on alchemy, focusing on the decomposition of substances and the combination of metals.