Knights of Pythias, << PIHTH ee uhs, >> is a fraternal order to which members of any religion may belong. The organization performs charitable work and emphasizes high moral standards in its members. It supports homes and retirement centers for the aged and children’s homes and summer camps.
The chief governing body of the Knights is the Supreme Lodge. Each U.S. state and Canadian province has local lodges and a district Grand Lodge. Three organizations associated with the order help in its workâthe Pythian Sisters, the Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan, and the Junior Order Knights of Pythias.
Justus Henry Rathbone, a civil service employee, founded the Knights of Pythias in 1864 in Washington, D.C. Today, headquarters of the Supreme Lodge are in Topeka, Kansas.
See also Fraternal organization .
