In Summary:
The 19th degree “Grand Pontiff” in the southern jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite, also known as the “Sublime Scotch Mason”, is the first degree of the Council of Kadosh. The “Grand Pontiff” degree emphasizes the importance of the influence of the past, on the present and future and encourages Masons to labor for the enlightenment of future ages. The degree teaches us to serve the cause of truth with patience and industry and to destroy error, falsehood, and intolerance with truth, honesty, honor, and charity. Furthermore, the lessons of the degree are to be content to labor for the future, to serve the cause of truth with patience and industry, and to destroy error, falsehood, and intolerance with truth, honesty, honor, and charity.

Initial Note:
The lessons of this degree are learned from the past and how it affects the present and the way we live in the future. We always strive to endure, produce and improve the world as it surrounds us.

Regalia Notes:
The cordon is crimson, bordered with white, and worn from left to right. It teaches us that the zeal and ardor of a Grand Pontiff ought to be set off by the greatest purity of morals, perfect charity, and beneficence. Where it crosses the breast, embroidered in gold are twelve stars and the Greek letters Alpha and Omega (AΩ).

The stars upon it allude to the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem, the twelve signs of the Zodiac, the twelve fruits of the Tree of Life, the twelve tribes of Israel, and the twelve Apostles.

The initials of the Apostles’ names appear upon the gates and foundations of the New Jerusalem. The columns in the set of this degree are also number twelve. In this degree, there is also a fillet, or headband, of blue with twelve stars upon it which have the same significance as those on the cordon. It is the peculiar emblem of a Grand Pontiff because the slightest contact with the earth will spoil its spotless purity. Similarly, the least indiscretion will soil the exalted character which you have voluntarily assumed.

Another distinctive ornament of this degree is the breastplate of the High Priest of ancient Israel with twelve different gems embedded in a 4 X 3 matrix. Upon each gem is one of the initials of the twelve names (or attributes) of Deity mentioned in the ritual. The jewel is an oblong square of solid gold, with the letter Aleph engraved on one side and Tau on the other.

These letters are the first and last of the Hebrew alphabet as those upon the cordon are of Greek. They should remind us of the love and veneration we owe to that Great Being, the source of all existence, the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last.

On His promises, we rely with perfect confidence, in whose mercy and goodness we implicitly trust, and for the fulfillment of whose wise purposes we are content to wait.

Duties are:
• Be content to labor for the future. Serve the cause of truth with patience and industry. Destroy error, falsehood, and intolerance with truth, honesty, honor, and charity.

For Reflection:
• Do you live your life so that it is a bridge to immortality?

Lessons:
• Good will triumph over evil. The human intellect cannot measure the designs of God. If lived properly, this life is a bridge to eternal life.

Important Symbols:
• Twelve columns around the Council Chamber, the Tracing Board of the New Jerusalem, the colors blue and gold, the Spirit of Masonry.

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Additional Notes:
By exploring the origins of words in previous degrees, we have discovered hidden meanings and enlightenment. Here we have the same opportunity. The name, Grand Pontiff, does not refer to the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The word pontiff derives from two Latin words — Ponti, meaning ‘bridge’ and Facere, “to make”; hence, pontiff means “bridge builder”. With this information, it is easy to see how the primary duty taught in the degree – labor for the future – and the lecture on Morals and Dogma relate directly to each other.

Sources:
Purchase ‘A Bridge To Light‘ by Rex R. Hutchens
Purchase ‘Morals & Dogma‘ by Albert Pike.