Frequently Asked Questions
Swords, Memorabilia, Membership & Other Information
- I have a Pythian sword. Can you tell me about it?
- Do you have membership information for genealogy studies?
- Can you tell me about other Pythian memorabilia?
- How does someone become a Knight of Pythias?
I have a Pythian sword. Can you tell me about it?
The Knights of Pythias had a military branch known as the Uniformed Rank from some time after August of 1870 until 1955, swords of this type will have the letters "UR" on them. Swords also play a roll in our secret "Knightly" ritual, swords of this type will have the letters "FCB" on them. There are 208 Pythian/Pythias books listed in the Library of Congress on-line catalog including books on: 1) Pythian Uniformed Rank (1873-1911); and 2) catalogs of Knights of Pythias lodge supplies, paraphernalia, costumes, etc. (1891-1914). The Internet has many resources dedicated to the collection and sale of swords, including: Sword Forum Magazine Online (SFMO), U.S. Sword Company, The Swordman's Web Page, Society Swords, Kelley's Misc. Sword Identification, LionGate Arms & Armour, Kovels' Antique Restoration, Arms of Valor & Swords Online. Additionally please contact our Supreme Secretary at kop@earthlink.net for further details.
Do you have membership information for geneaology studies?
Membership records are maintained by each individual lodge within each State or Province.
The Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia is please to make available portions of William D. Kennedy, P.S.R.'s History of the Knights of Pythias published in 1904, pertaining to the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. Please feel free to search our site, (using your browser's search function) This site has all the available information pertaining to past members of Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia.
Please contact our Supreme Secretary at kop@earthlink.net for ALL OTHER Domains (other than the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia) who will put you in contact with the proper person and for further details. He will need to know from you when and from which State or Province your relative lived.
Can you tell me about other Pythian memorabilia?
Like Pythian swords, Pythian memorabilia (medals, buttons etc.) may be from the former military branch known as the Uniformed Rank from some time after August of 1870 until 1955. Additionally, memorabilia play a roll in our secret ritual.
Please Note: Most official Pythian memorabilia are date stamped 1870, the year that our Supreme Lodge was created, not necessarily the year the item was created. Please contact our Supreme Secretary at kop@earthlink.net for further details.
How does someone become a Knight of Pythias?
Men over eighteen (18) years old are eligible for membership. You must believe in a Supreme Being and be of good moral character. For online membership go to: http://www.pythias.org/appform.html, or contact our Supreme Secretary at kop@earthlink.net for further details.