The Grand Lodge is headed by the Grand Master. Next to the GM is another Officer – Vicarius Salomonis (VS – or the Vicar of Solomon). Then there a Council of 11th Degree Masons, and a ‘Highest Chapter of the Order’ – consisting of all the 11th Degree Masons in Germany, never more than 80.
The GM is directly in charge of the St. J’s and St. A’s Lodges, and the finances and administration of the Grand Lodge. The VS is in charge of the Chapters, and all the Ritual working in general.
The ruling pair, i.e. the GM and the VS may be compared to the King and the High Priest of Biblical times. The GM is elected by all the WMs of St. J’s and St. A’s Lodges for a term of 3 years. The VS is elected only by the Knight Commanders. This used to be a lifetime appointment till 1998, when it was changed to a 4 year term.