The Cabiri

The Cabiri is an international association of Past Potentates, the presiding officer of a Shrine.

When a man has completed his year of probation as a Potentate, as required by the ritual, has tried his level best, has admitted his shortcomings, if any, admits he was the best Potentate during his year, he becomes eligible for membership in the sacred rites of the Cabiri.

It's rituals are based on the ancient religious ceremonies of the island of Samothrace. The Gods adored in the Mysteries of the island were termed Cabiri, meaning great.

The secret ceremonies were performed at night in sacred chambers. By initiation, those who before were fellow citizens only, became brothers, connected by a closer bond of fellowship than before. The Initiate was regarded as a favorite of the Gods, and the Priests promised favorable winds, prosperous and safe voyages, and hospitality.

The Hierophants of Samothrace made something infinitely greater to be the object of their initiation, pledging them to virtue, honor, brotherhood and the assurance of those rewards which the justice of the Gods reserves for Initiates after death.

There ceremonies were inspiring and commanded the respect of all nations. The Romans, when masters of the world, did not violate its liberty and laws.

The modern Cabiri, was conceived on the island of Hawaii, as a challenge to Past Potentates to carry on the precepts of the Initiates on the little island of Samothrace.

The principal charity of the Cabiri, is unsurprisingly, the Shriner's Hospitals.