Dr. Harvey Spencer Lewis Served As Imperator:
1914-1939
Harvey Spencer Lewis, First Imperator of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, for its second cycle of activity in America; author, lecturer, artist, world traveler, and mystic philosopher. He later became Imperator for the entire world, making Rosicrucian Park in San Jose, California, USA: The World Headquarters until 1990 when many changes were made during the re-organization of AMORC.
Second Cycle Of Rosicrucianism In America.
H. Spencer Lewis devoted his life to making Rosicrucianism more relevant to our times, by de-mystifying the subject and making it more readily available to the average person interested in this subject. He revolutionized the way Rosicrucianism is presented to the student; from an oral lodge system only, to the monograph system. This allowed the student to have the best of two systems; the lodge presentation and the home study - sanctum presenation. Dr. Lewis was very fortunate to have his son Ralph Lewis to work with him and later becoming Imperator on his transition.
Ralph M. Lewis Served As Imperator: 1939-1987
Ralph M. Lewis was elected Imperator in 1939 on the transition of his father. He worked with his father since 1921 when he joined the Rosicrucian Order and served on the ritualistic team in the San Francisco Lodge. In 1924 he was elected Supreme Secretary and worked with his father in all aspects of the development of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC. He further refined and developed the Order world wide after his father went through transition in 1939. He was, like his father, a very talented man. He was an outstanding author and wrote numerous books. Imperator Ralph Lewis served the Order well and was a Service To Light, as stated by Imperator Gary L. Stewart.
Gary L. Stewart Served As Imperator Of AMORC Until 1990, Then Started The CR+C Confraternity, Where He Is At The Present.
Gary L. Stewart became Imperator in 1987 on the transition of Ralph M. Lewis. Imperator Lewis held this office for fifty years. He became Imperator on the transition of his father Dr. H. Spencer Lewis in 1939. Imperator Ralph Lewis personally trained Gary Stewart for this position as is customary in the tradition of Rosicrucianism. The tradition of this office is very important today, as it was for others like Sir Francis Bacon in the Sixteenth Century. Imperator Stewart founded the Confraternity of the Rose Cross - CR+C, due to the reorganization of AMORC. He is continuing his Rosicrucian activities at this organization.
Christian Bernard Now serving As Imperator of AMORC: 1990 To The Present.
Christian Bernard became Imperator in 1990 after the re-organization of AMORC. Imperator Christian Bernard was elected Imperator by the AMORC Grand Masters of the world. Imperator Gary Stewart left AMORC at this time to start the CR+C Organization. Christian Bernard, former Grand Master in France, became the present Imperator of AMORC according to a revision of the AMORC rules in 1990. He was an outstanding Rosicrucian, that came from Rosicrucian parents. A special dispensation was made for him to join the order at an early age.
The Rosicrucians have been very fortunate to have such outstanding Imperators in the past and the present. All have been chosen according to Rosicrucian tradition or under the rules of each Rosicrucian organization. This office is usually for a lifetime. Each Imperator chooses his successor when transition approaches. There are many Rosicrucian organizations, but only three are allowed to use the traditional monographs of the founder: Dr. H. Spencer Lewis. The Imperators of the three organizations are the Guardians of the Teachings and Rituals. It is their responsibily to preserve the true Rosicrucian Archives for posterity.
