About Us
The Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (AAONMS) has a rich and illustrious history. The first Shrine Temple was organized in 1872 in the New York City Masonic Hall and called Mecca Temple. Initially, it was formed as a fraternal order in which Masons could join together in fellowship and fun. Its North American membership numbers about 600,000. Maine has two Shrine Temples: Anah in Bangor and Kora in Lewiston. The area from which Anah Temple draws its membership includes Waterville and the balance of the State to the north and east, while the remainder of the area of south and west comprises the jurisdiction of Kora Temple.
Until 2000, one had to complete either the Scottish Rite or York Rite degrees of Masonry to be eligible for Shrine membership, but now any Master Mason can join.
Shriners are best known for having fun. Members of the Shrine are immediately recognizable by the fezzes they wear, and are often seen in parades and as clowns in the Shrine Circus. However, the Shrine is also noted for its charitable works, rather like a service club, most notably the Shriner's Hospitals for Children, which provides medical treatment to children free of charge.
Shriners of North America
The Shriners of North America are dedicated to fun and fellowship...but with a serious purpose.
Shriners enjoy many opportunities to find personal fulfillment and satisfaction through
supporting Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Freemasonry
The Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, and often referred
to as the "Blue Lodge" is the foundation of all the
orders within the Masonic Family. It represents
Freemasonry, itself, from which all other recognized
Masonic organizations have arisen. It is the world’s
oldest and largest fraternal organization.
York Rite
The
York Rite in the United States is actually a grouping of
separate Rites joined in order, namely the Capitular
Rite, or Royal Arch Masons (General Grand Chapter -
Royal Arch Masons International), the Cryptic Rite, or
Cryptic Masons (General Grand Council - Cryptic Masons
International) and the Chivalric Orders, or Knights
Templar (Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the
United States of America).
Scottish Rite
Although
there is no higher degree than that of a Master Mason,
the 29 degrees of the Scottish Rite serve to enrich the
philosophy of the Symbolic Lodge. A Mason who chooses to
further his Masonic experience by becoming a 32°
Scottish Rite Mason will be expanding upon the
fundamental principles of Freemasonry.
Need more information?
Please contact us by phone at 207-782-6831 or by e-mail at office at korashriners.org. We would be happy to either provide you with the information you need or point you to where you need to go.
