Ultimate - Antioch Shrine Temple

Just as Mercedes’ star representssomething – domination of land, seaand air – so does the Shriners’ emblem.The scimitar stands for the backboneof the fraternity, its members. The twoclaws are for the Shriners fraternity andits philanthropy, Shriners Hospitals forChildren ® . The sphinx is representativeof the governing body of the Shriners,while the star hanging beneath itrepresents the thousands of childrenhelped by the philanthropy every year.Greetings and SalutationsSince 1872, Shriners have used thesalutation “Es Selamu Aleikum,” Arabicfor “Peace be with you!” The response:“Aleikium Es Selamu,” or “With yoube peace.”The Chain of CommandNow on to the Shriner hierarchy.To better understand it all, it helps tobegin at the local level. The group ofelected officers who run each temple iscalled the Divan. Granted, the numberonedefinition of divan is a long, backlesssofa, but a Divan also refers to agovernment bureau.The top dog in the Divan is known as thePotentate, defined as “one who has thepower and position to rule over others.”The second in command is called theChief Rabban.Within each temple there can be anynumber of “clubs” or “units” formedfor a certain purpose. The best-knownexamples are the units of clowns andmotor patrols (the “little-car” guys),often the most visible in the community.There are also clubs and units for peoplewith various other interests, as well.From golfing and boating, to classic carsand motorcycles – there truly issomething for everyone!Just like the countries of North Americaare governed by representative bodies,so are the 193 temples. The group ofrepresentatives, called the ImperialCouncil, convenes once a year to makepolicy decisions and create legislationregarding the fraternity and philanthropy.8 9