Happy New Year 2012 to all Freemasons in the world
Friday, 30 December 2011
Freemasons' Hall closed over festive period
Freemasons' Hall will close on Friday, 23rd December at 12.00 noon and reopen at 08.45 AM on Wednesday, 5th January. Please also note that the Museum and Library will be closed for most of January (reopening on Monday, 30th Janaury) to allow for annual cleaning. Due to low visitor numbers there will be no tours of the building from week commencing 19th December and for the whole of Janaury 2012. Everyone at Freemasons' Hall takes the opportunity to wish you and yours a Merry Chrsitams and a Prosperous New Year.
Source: Grand Lodge of Scotland
Grand Master of Chile meets with the President of the Supreme Court
According to the Masonic Press Agency of Romania (APMR) the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Chile made an official visit to the Supreme Court, where he had a meeting with the President of the Supreme Court, Milton Juice. The Grand Master congratulated Juice for his appointment and handed him the Grand Lodge commemorative plaque.
First meeting of the Amazon Grand Lodges
From January 4 to 6, 2012 will be held the first meeting of the Amazon Grand Lodges, hosted by the Grand Lodge of Peru. The event will be attended by Grand Lodges and Lodges from Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela and French Guiana (French territory), reports APMR.
Wednesday, 28 December 2011
Swedish Order of Freemasons - Svenska Frimurare Orden
It works according to the Swedish Rite and allow male members that must be Christian. In contrast to the working of the majority in international freemasonry it excludes believers in a Supreme Being who are non-Christians. However, a foreign Freemason from a recognized obedience of any religion may attend lodges working in the degrees I to VI. Foreign visitors to lodges working in degrees VII and higher must sign at statement assuring that they are Christian.
Svenska Frimurare Orden (Swedish Order of Freemasons) had its first lodge established in 1735 and the Grand Lodge was established in 1760. Under its jurisdiction there are Masonic Lodges in Finland where we can find more then 1,000 Freemasons belonging to the Swedish Order of Freemasons.
Svenska Frimurare Orden (Swedish Order of Freemasons) had its first lodge established in 1735 and the Grand Lodge was established in 1760. Under its jurisdiction there are Masonic Lodges in Finland where we can find more then 1,000 Freemasons belonging to the Swedish Order of Freemasons.
King Carl XVI Gustaf - Gran Protector of the Swedish Order of Freemasons - offered his high patronage to the Gran Lodge of Sweden. During history there were many European Kings related with the Masonic Order: Scotland, England, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Romania, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Austria etc.
Norwegian Order of Freemasons - Den Norske Frimurerorden
Den Norske Frimurerorden is also known as the Grand Lodge of Norway or as the Norwegian Order of Freemasons. The first lodge (St. Olai Lodge, later known as St. Olaus to the white Leopard Lodge) was opened in 1749 and is still working. The Grand Lodge has followed the Swedish Rite since 1818, which requires its members to adhere to Christianity (rather to adhere we might say that they accept only Christian men). During the union of Sweden-Norway, the Swedish-Norwegian king was Grand Master of the Order. The sovereign Grand Lodge of Norway was consecrated in 1891. Today the Order has more then 20,000 members.
Headquartered in Oslo, the Order consists of 63 lodges of St. John (Iº – IIIº), 19 lodges of St. Andrew (IVº – VIº), three Steward lodges of 2. order (VII º), four Steward lodges of 1. order (VIIº – VIIIº), three Provincial lodges (VIIº – Xº), the Grand lodge (VIIº – XIIº) and one research lodge.
Friday, 23 December 2011
A Masonic ‘Night Before Christmas’ from the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin
Twas the Night before Christmas,
And down at the lodge Not a gavel was stirring,
And in the hodge podge of aprons and jewels
And chairs East and West You could savour the silence,
Most gladly divest all metal and mineral,
It mattered not, Since Christmas was nigh
And the coals were still hot
In the hearth of your home place, all Masons abed,
As visions of trestleboards Danced in their head;
When up on the roof there arose such a clatter
Our Tyler jumped up to see what was the matter!
He picked up his sword and ran fast to the door,
Three knocks shook the panels – he wondered “What for?”
He answered the knocking with raps of his own,
And once the door opened he saw, with a moan
Of delight, it was Santa, all jolly and red
Except for one notable feature instead!
Upon his large finger he wore what we knew
Was compass and square on a background of blue!
“Why Santa!” he shouted and lowered his blade,
“I see you’re a Mason!” the Tyler relayed.
He looked toward the Master’s most dignified chair
And said, voice near trembling, “Most Worshipful there
Is a Gentleman properly clothed at the gate!”
The Master replied, “Let’s allow him – but wait!
You tell me a Gentleman, but I don’t see
His apron beneath that red suit.
Can it be
Our visitor hasn’t been properly raised?
Must we offer a test that is suitably phrased?”
“I do beg your pardon,” ol’ Santa said quick
As he pulled up his coat and displayed not a stick
But a cane with engraving, two balls did appear
And oh, what an apron, he wore and held dear!
Adorned like the Master’s, complete with a sign
Of “Lodge Number One, the North Pole” on one line!
“Now let this man enter,” the Master declared,
And once in the Lodge room, the Brethren all stared,
For Santa was wearing a jewel not seen
For many a century – there in between
The fur of his coat and the splendid red collar
Gleamed two golden reindeer that shone line a dollar!
“It’s Donner and Blitzen, who I must confess
Are actually images brought from the West
By my Warden, a craftsman like none in the world!”
And with a great laugh from his bag he unfurled
An ear of fine corn, and some oil from the East,
“My friend I have plenty.
Tonight we will feast On all that is good!
We are Masons, kind sir!”
A murmur went throughout the Lodge, quite a stir,
As presents and promises flew from his sack!
This Santa, a Mason, showed he had a knack
For making this Christmas the best you could glean,
And soon even Deacons were laughing.
They’d seen
On this very night only happiness reigned!
This jolly Saint Nicholas quickly explained
That only a Mason could be so inclined
To make all kids happy, make all people find
A Christmas so special.
Yes, Santa was right!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
Author: Clayton L. Wright
And down at the lodge Not a gavel was stirring,
And in the hodge podge of aprons and jewels
And chairs East and West You could savour the silence,
Most gladly divest all metal and mineral,
It mattered not, Since Christmas was nigh
And the coals were still hot
In the hearth of your home place, all Masons abed,
As visions of trestleboards Danced in their head;
When up on the roof there arose such a clatter
Our Tyler jumped up to see what was the matter!
He picked up his sword and ran fast to the door,
Three knocks shook the panels – he wondered “What for?”
He answered the knocking with raps of his own,
And once the door opened he saw, with a moan
Of delight, it was Santa, all jolly and red
Except for one notable feature instead!
Upon his large finger he wore what we knew
Was compass and square on a background of blue!
“Why Santa!” he shouted and lowered his blade,
“I see you’re a Mason!” the Tyler relayed.
He looked toward the Master’s most dignified chair
And said, voice near trembling, “Most Worshipful there
Is a Gentleman properly clothed at the gate!”
The Master replied, “Let’s allow him – but wait!
You tell me a Gentleman, but I don’t see
His apron beneath that red suit.
Can it be
Our visitor hasn’t been properly raised?
Must we offer a test that is suitably phrased?”
“I do beg your pardon,” ol’ Santa said quick
As he pulled up his coat and displayed not a stick
But a cane with engraving, two balls did appear
And oh, what an apron, he wore and held dear!
Adorned like the Master’s, complete with a sign
Of “Lodge Number One, the North Pole” on one line!
“Now let this man enter,” the Master declared,
And once in the Lodge room, the Brethren all stared,
For Santa was wearing a jewel not seen
For many a century – there in between
The fur of his coat and the splendid red collar
Gleamed two golden reindeer that shone line a dollar!
“It’s Donner and Blitzen, who I must confess
Are actually images brought from the West
By my Warden, a craftsman like none in the world!”
And with a great laugh from his bag he unfurled
An ear of fine corn, and some oil from the East,
“My friend I have plenty.
Tonight we will feast On all that is good!
We are Masons, kind sir!”
A murmur went throughout the Lodge, quite a stir,
As presents and promises flew from his sack!
This Santa, a Mason, showed he had a knack
For making this Christmas the best you could glean,
And soon even Deacons were laughing.
They’d seen
On this very night only happiness reigned!
This jolly Saint Nicholas quickly explained
That only a Mason could be so inclined
To make all kids happy, make all people find
A Christmas so special.
Yes, Santa was right!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
Author: Clayton L. Wright
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Friday, 16 December 2011
Gustavo Raffi: "Freemasonry can not replace institutions (...)"
Amid the social movements in Italy and the scandal of Freemasonry and the government of Mario Monti, Gustavo Raffi, Grand Master of the Grand Orient of Italy, participated yesterday in a TV show on Rai 3, presented by Lucia Annunziata. The same discussion was attended by PRI's Secretary (Francesco Nucara), the party that has a long relationship with Freemasonry in Italy.
Danish Order of Freemasons - Den Danske Frimurerorden
The Danish Order of Freemasons (Den Danske Frimurerorden), also known as the Grand Lodge of Denmark, is the main governing body of regular Freemasonry in Denmark. The Danish Order of Freemasons can trace its history back to 1743 making it the oldest Masonic organization in Denmark, working with the rituals of the Swedish Rite, being an independent Masonic order, which encompasses around 100 Masonic Lodges spread throughout Denmark. The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Denmark is also the Grand Master of the Danish Guild of Freemasons and the Union of Johannes Lodges.
The Danish Order of Freemasons has today around 10,000 members. Of deceased members include royalties such as King Frederick V, Prince Charles of Hesse-Kassel, King Frederick VI, Prince and Duke Friedrich Wilhelm of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, King Christian VIII, King Frederick VII, King Frederick VIII, King Christian X and the Princes Carl (later Haakon VII of Norway), Harald, Gorm and Oluf (later Count of Rosenborg).
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Supreme Council for Romania marks the end of its 130th Anniversary with a gala concert at the Athenaeum Palace
Since the beginning of this year a Scottish Rite Masonic body in Romania, the SCR, started its 130th Anniversary celebrations. During the year there were organized Masonic conferences, meetings and other events but the two most important on their official agenda were the World Conference on Civilizations, held in September at the Romanian Army Palace (the place where NATO Grand Lodge conducted its works in the '90 during a special ceremony) and the gala concert for Christmas.
This time the Romanian Athenaeum Palace will be the one hosting the Supreme Council's final event marking its 130th celebrations. It was announced that during the break of the gala concert will take place an exhibition of naive painting and also presented the Hiram Design fashion collection. SCR's concert will be held under the high patronage of the Romanian Ministry of Culture and National Heritage this Sunday and there are expected to arrive high ranking politicians, businessmen, ambassadors and of course Freemasons belonging to the Symbolic and Scottish Rite Lodges from allover the country.
Every year since the last 12 years SCR organizes the "Christmas for All" gala concert, the most important charitable Masonic event of Christmas in Romania. After the concert, next week they will announce the winners of the charitable event and make available some of the official photos.
Monday, 12 December 2011
Will the United Grand Lodge of England finally withdraw GLNF's recognition?
It's hard to say, but there is a chance for this to happen. Let's not forget the scandal produced during the last Annual Communication of GLNF (Grande Loge Nationale Française), held a week and a half ago in Paris! And if this will occur which French Grand Lodge will gain UGLE's recognition?
Most probably not the Grand Lodge of France or the Grand Orient. In past years the Grande Loge de France created several Grand Lodges in Eastern and Central Europe, even though there were already established Grand Lodges in those Masonic Jurisdictions. And recently the Grand Orient's Past Grand Master Bauer sent a letter to Englefield, Grand Chancellor of UGLE in which he demanded the restoration of peace and harmony in France, asking UGLE's Grand Chancellor to put an end to the existing conflict. So, will the United Grand Lodge of England finally withdraw GLNF's recognition?
Quarterly Communication of the United Grand Lodge of England
The last Quarterly Communication of the United Grand Lodge of England will take place on 14 December 2011 at Freemasons' Hall in London. After the event will take place a banquet in honour of the Grand Masters attending UGLE's final Quarterly Communication of 2011.
Brazilian Freemasonry protest against the disrespect towards the National Anthem
2014 World Cup will be held in Brazil. This was announced in late October and throughout Brazil, including the Masons, all celebrated. It is a project which in Brazil can generate 3.6 million jobs as stated Ruy Rocha, Grand Master of Goias and former Chairman of CMSB. "The lack of respect reaches almost unimaginable cotes," said Ruy Rocha. The same Grand Master expressed his disapproval regarding the mockery of the Brazilian cadets for the national anthem which was sung on funk rhythms.
Ruy Rocha says that all these things made him submit letters of protest to the Brazilian Football Confederation President, to the Goiânia Football Federation President and even to the Minister of Sports, José Aldo Rebelo Figueiredo.
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Grand Lodge of Iran (in Exile)
The Grand Lodge of Iran, established in 1969 in Tehran, existed in the country prior to the Islamic Revolution of 1979, hosted membership from various political figures, including former prime minister Jafar Sharif-Emami (who served as the lodge's grand master at one point), and branched to 43 Lodges and at least 1,035 members.
Since the Revolution, Freemasonry has been banned in Iran; a "Grand Lodge of Iran in Exile" is currently established in Los Angeles, although it holds meetings in Massachusetts, where the local Grand Lodge approved its practice in 1985.
Persian Freemasons received in March 1985 the approval of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts to conduct Masonic activities in Boston. In the present they have Masonic Lodges in Washington D.C., France and in California all under the Persian Grand Lodge (in Exile). In present days (or at least until February this year) the Grand Master of the Iranian Freemasons is Most Worshipful Brother Abbas Satrap. Grand Master Satrap attended in February 2011 the Annual Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America, hosted by the Grand Lodge of Colorado in Denver.
Persian Freemasons received in March 1985 the approval of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts to conduct Masonic activities in Boston. In the present they have Masonic Lodges in Washington D.C., France and in California all under the Persian Grand Lodge (in Exile). In present days (or at least until February this year) the Grand Master of the Iranian Freemasons is Most Worshipful Brother Abbas Satrap. Grand Master Satrap attended in February 2011 the Annual Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America, hosted by the Grand Lodge of Colorado in Denver.
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
Sunday, 4 December 2011
Fiasco at GLNF's Annual Communication. François Stifani booed at GLNF's (Grande Loge Nationale Française) Annual Communication in Paris
GLNF Brethren are laughing to tears at the Annual Communication of the French National Grand Lodge as the Grand Lodges of Monaco, Albania and Cyprus ask for their recognition.
Saturday, 3 December 2011
Death of Fred Kleinknecht - Past Grand Commander
APMR's (Masonic Press Agency of Romania) Secretariat General announces with sadness the passing of Illustrious Brother Fred C. Kleinknecht, 33°, Past Grand Commander of the Supreme Council Mother of the World.
CHRISTIAN FREDERICK KLEINKNECHT, JR., 33°. Requiescat in pace Frater
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)
