Christian Cyclopedia

(Brothers of the Rosy-Cross; Rosy-Cross Knights; Rosicrucian Fraternity). Became known in Ger. ca. 1614 through 2 anonymous pamphlets: Fama Fraternitatis Roseae-Crucis and Die chymische Hochzeit Christiani Rosenkreutz (both now gen. ascribed to J. V. Andreä* and regarded as satire). Christianus Rosenkreutz, a shadowy lengendary figure, is alleged to have been born 1378, to have spent his last days in a cave in Morocco, and to have died there 1484 after giving his esoteric lore to disciples under vow of secrecy. In course of time, charlatans and impostors arose, claiming to be mems. of the alleged soc. with knowledge of its secrets (including that of alchemy and the elixir of life).

Rosicrucians claim access to all knowledge of man, including that deposited on the lost continents of Atlantis and Lemuria, and that they have the key whereby all can choose a life leading to perfection. They hold that the kingdom of God is within everyone and that therefore everyone has the powers of the universe in his body.

AMORC is acronym for Ancient Mystical Order of the Rosy Cross. FEM

See also Illuminati.