Encyclopedia Masonica

The ecclesiastical year commences with the first Nisan, March, but the civil reckoning begins with the first Tishri, September, which is New Year's Day.
The following dates are accepted by the Hebrews, as given by Doctor Zunz in Remarks prefacing The 24 Books of the Holy Scriptures according to the .Massoretic Text:
BEFORE CONMON ERA.
3988, Creation.
2332, Flood.
2040, Abraham born.
1575, Moses born.
1495, Exodus.
1051, David acknowledged as King.
1015, First Temple commenced.
586, First Temple destroyed.
536, Cyrus Decree.
516, Second Temple completed.
330, Alexander conquers Palestine.

The succeeding dates are in accord with the research of other authorities.
The Temple was dedicated on five occasions:
1. 1004 B.C., fifteenth day of Tishri- Ethanim and Abib. First Kings via 2 to 62.
2. 726 B. C., when purified from the abominations of Ahaz.
3. 516 B.C., third Adar, upon completion of Zerubbabel's Temple.
4. 164 B.C., twenty-fifth Kislev, after the victory of Judas Maceabaeus over the Syrians the service lasted eight days.
5. 22 B.C., upon completion of Herod's Temple.
The three Temples were destroyed on the same day and month of the year
The " three-fold destruction " of the Temple took place on the ninth Ab, or fifth ecclesiastical month.
Destruction of Temple, by Nebuchadnezzar, 588 B.C., or four hundred and sixteen years after dedication.
Taking the city of Jerusalem by Titus is commemorated as a fast day on the seventeenth Tamuz.
Passover, fourteenth Nisan- Little Passover, fifteenth Iyar.
Pentecost, or First Fruits, commemorating the giving of the law on Mount Sinai sixth Sivan Great Day of Atonement, tenth Tishli.
Feast of Tabernaeles, fifteenth to twenty-first Tishri.
Fast for commencement of siege of Jenasalem by Nebuchadnezzar, tenth day of Tebeth.
Feast of Purim, fourteenth and fifteenth Adar.
King Cyrus liberated the Jews, 538 B.C.
King Darius confirmed the Deeree, 520 B. C. (see Cons) .

The Encyclopedia Masonica exists to preserve the wealth of information that has been generated over the centuries by numerous Masonic authors. As Freemasonry is now Speculative and not Operative, the work of a Mason is now conducted in the quarries of symbolism, literature, history and scholasticism. Freemasonry encourages intellectual exploration and academic achievement in its members and many Masons over the years have taken up this calling. The result has been that an incredible amount of philosophy, symbolic speculation and academic insights have been created. However, as Freemasonry teaches, human knowledge is frail and fragile. It is easily lost in the turnings of the ages and unforeseen catastrophes can result in great setbacks to human knowledge.

For too long these great works have sat on forgotten shelves, gathering dust and concealing the light that could be shed on the darkness of our ignorance. The Encyclopedia Masonica has been created to act as an ark, sailing through time, to ensure that future generations of Freemasons have access to the same knowledge that inspired the Brethren that came before them. It will contain the works of such Masonic Luminaries as Albert G. Mackey, Manly Palmer Hall, G.S.M. Ward, Albert Pike and many others. The Encyclopedia Masonica is a living work and the volunteers of Universal Co-Masonry will continue to labor until the most comprehensive Masonic reference work the world has ever seen has been created. The Encyclopedia Masonica is open to any who wish to use it and will remain open so that the treasures contained within may increase the wealth of all those who seek its wisdom.