IOOF: Inside the Oldest and Largest Benevolent Fraternity

Get the latest Flash player

LouieBlakeSarmiento
October 14, 2009

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), also known as Three Link Fraternity, is an altruistic and benevolent fraternal organization derived from the similar English Oddfellows service organizations which came into being during the 1700s, at a time when altruistic and charitable acts were far less common.

It is one of the oldest and largest fraternity in the world yet it remains humble and discreet up until today. And unlike other fraternal orders, IOOF is never involved in conspiracies and political issues.

Its aim is the elevation of human character to a higher, nobler plane; to extend sympathy and aid to those in need, making their burdens lighter, relieving the darkness of despair; to war against vice in every form, and to be a great moral power and influence for the good of humanity.

WHY THE NAME "ODD FELLOWS"

In year 1700's in England, it was odd to find people organized for the purpose of giving aid to those in need and of pursuing projects for the benefit of all mankind. Those who belonged to such an organization were called "Odd Fellows."

HISTORY OF THE ODD FELLOWS

The roots of the Oddfellows go back way beyond those of other organisations, since the 18th century there has been a recorded legend of the Oddfellows which infers that the Oddfellows can trace its origins back to the exile of the Israelites from Babylon in 587 BC, as the legend has it, many of those exiled banded together into a brotherhood for mutual support and defence.

This brotherhood is said to have survived the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD, when captive Israelites were taken to Rome by the Emperor Nero. Many of these captives subsequently served in the Roman army of Titus Caesar, who gave official recognition to their fraternity with a plate of gold with the emperor's dispensation engraved upon it.

This concept of mutual support spread widely with the legionnaires of the Roman army - including to Britain - where the first Lodge of Oddfellows was said to have been established in 100 AD.

The legend records that the Order of Oddfellows was taken by the Romans to Spain and then spread into Portugal and France in the 11th century. In the 12th century it was brought back into Britain by Jean de Neuville who, with five French knights, established a Grand Lodge of Honour in the City of London which formed the foundation of the Order in England.

The earliest surviving rules of an Oddfellows Lodge date from 1730 and refer to the Loyal Aristarcus Lodge in London. It met in the Oakley Arms in Southwark, the Globe Tavern in Hatton Garden or the Boar's Head in Smithfield. There are many pubs in Britain today which are named 'The Oddfellows' or 'Oddfellows Arms'. Invariably these are past meeting places of lodges.

THE INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F) was founded on the North American Continent in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A on April 26, 1819 by Thomas Wildey and four members of the fraternity from England when Washington Lodge No. 1 was instituted. This lodge received its charter from Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows in England.

On September 20, 1851, I.O.O.F became the 1st fraternity to include both men and women when it adopted the Rebekah Degree. Though the term sorority was not yet coined that year, we can consider that the Rebekah is the first and oldest sorority in the world. In addition, Odd Fellows and Rebekahs were also the first fraternal organization to establish homes for our senior members and for orphaned children.

Odd fellows exist in the United States, Americas (Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico), Australasia (Australia and New Zealand) and Europe (Austria, Belgium and Netherlands, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland) and here in the Philippines.

For more Information:

International:
iooftheSGL@bellsouth.net

National (Philippines):
ioofphils@yahoo.com

Category: Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

Independent Order of Odd Fellows IOOF worldwide three link manchester unity grand united Philippines Dumaguete City negros oriental Canada Cuba Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico Australia New Zealand Europe Austria Belgium Netherlands Czechia Denmark Finland Germany Iceland Norway Poland Sweden Switzerland Silliman University fratenity sorority fraternal order brotherhood sisterhood secret society freemasonry mason demolay

More From: LouieBlakeSarmiento

Play All Stop Autoplaying | Play Next

QuickList(0)

Clear | Save

Would you like to comment?

Join YouTube for a free account, or sign in if you are already a member.

YouTube	Programs	Help	Policy	Discover
Contact Us	Advertising	Get Help	Privacy Policy	YouTube on Your Phone
YouTube Store	Developers	YouTube Handbook	Terms of Service	YouTube on Your Site
Press Room	Partnerships	Community Help Forums	Copyright Notices	YouTube on Your TV
Business Blog	Content Management	Safety Center	Community Guidelines	YouTube RSS Feeds
YouTube Blog		Creator's Corner		TestTube

Add YouTube to your Google homepage

Current Location: Worldwide Show locations

IOOF: Inside the Oldest and Largest Benevolent Fraternity

More From: LouieBlakeSarmiento

QuickList(0)

Featured Videos

Statistics & Data

Video Responses (0)

Text Comments (1) Options

Would you like to comment?

IOOF: Inside the Oldest and Largest Benevolent Fraternity

More From: LouieBlakeSarmiento

QuickList(0)

Related Videos

Featured Videos

Statistics & Data

Video Responses (0)

Text Comments (1) Options

Would you like to comment?