To promote good fellowship among Past Potentates and stimulate an active interest in all Shrine activities and support the Shrine Crippled Children's Hospitals.

To establish headquarters at all Imperial Council Sessions, Shrine Director Sessions, and Regional Sessions, where Past Potentates may assemble, shake the sand from their sandals and renew old acquaintances.

To acquaint new Past Potentates with the ancient and abstruse mysteries of the Cabiri.

To hold meetings and open the well of Zem-Zem, and enjoy the wonderful sociability of the Shrine.

It is definitely not a political group. But it is there for the Potentate & his Divan to consult with.

The Cabiri is dependent on Past Potentates for its membership and it is hoped that every Past Potentate will lend his support and become a member. It is not so important that you attend the Imperial Council Sessions or the Shrine Regional Conventions as it is that you unite in this effort to bring the Past Potentates into a little closer association within your own Temple the Cabiri was organized for fun, sociability and a good time - it's later than you think. Your name should be listed in the "Book of Books" as an active member. If you are already a member, see that the other Past Potentates of your Temple becomes a member of the Cabiri.

Past Potentate

From the little island of Samothrace, at the northern end of the Aegean Sea, came the ancient Mysteries of Samothrace of the Cabiri, shrouded in the mist of antiquity. The little island of Samothrace was long the depository of certain august Mysteries and many travelers went to the Island to be initiated. The worship of the Cabiri spread from Samothrace into Etruria, Phrygia and Asia Minor. It has been said that Hiram, King of Tyre, was a High Priest of these mysteries and through him the leading feature of the Cabirian initiation was incorporated into Masonry and perpetuated in the legend of the third degree. Many conjecture that the order of the Essen, or the Essenes, grew out of the Cabirian Rites.

The Gods adored in the Mysteries of the island were termed Cabiri, an oriental word from Cabar, meaning great. In Arabic, Venus is called Cabar. The word Cabar belongs to the Hebrew, Phoenician and Arabic languages.

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.

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

Our modern Cabiri, conceived on the island of Hawaii, is a challenge to our Past Potentates to carry on the precepts of the Initiates on the little island of Samothrace. Each year we assemble in brotherly fashion to commune in subtle but significant fraternization. Many travel from far distant lands to be present at the Shrine Sessions.