The Feast of Saint John - 24th June
Freemasons historically celebrate two feasts of Saint John. The feast of John the Baptist falls on 24 June, and that of John the Evangelist on 27 December, roughly marking mid-summer and mid-winter. In ancient times it was the day of installation of Worshipful Masters.
During the Eighteenth Century, the Premier Grand Lodge of England and the Grand Lodge of Ireland favoured the day of John the Baptist, while the Grand Lodge of Scotland, the Antient Grand Lodge of England and the Grand Lodge of All England at York installed their Grand Masters on the feast day of John the Evangelist.
John the Baptist
The first Grand Lodge was formed on 24 June the feast day of John the Baptist in 1717. This may arise from a very old tradition, since the Baptist appears to have been regarded as the patron of stonemasons in continental Europe during the Middle Ages. The guild of masons and carpenters attached to Cologne Cathedral was known as the Fraternity of St. John the Baptist. The earliest surviving record of Grand Lodge of Ireland installing a Grand Master is dated to 24 June 1725.
The Nativity of John the Baptist is one of the oldest festivals of the Christian church, being listed by the Council of Agde in 506 as one of that region's principal festivals, where it was a day of rest and, like Christmas, was celebrated with three Masses: a vigil, at dawn, and at midday. It is one of the patronal feasts of the Order of Malta
The Rummer Tavern held its first Masonic Feast of St John the Baptist in 1735, and will be holding its next feast on 24th June 2018.
The menu has been developed using an 18th century cook book called "The Universal Cook and City and Country Housekeeper", which is a work of great cultural importance and which The Rummer hold a third edition from 1801.
Some of the recipes will be true to their original, while others require updating due to changing availability of ingredients and tastes. The three course feast will be served in a banqueting style, with guests serving themselves and their neighbours, with waiting staff available to help pass and rotate dishes.
The Rummer will be open from midday, with the Feast starting around 1;30pm