Out of Darkness into Light: Freemasonry in Gdansk and Kaliningrad

After 1945 the area covered by central and eastern Europe was in a state of chaos unimaginable to us today. Refugees travelled in all directions – those returning home and those being driven from their homes. National borders were re-drawn to accommodate the actual situation of occupying forces. Germany was split in two, and the eastern provinces of Silesia and Pommerania became Polish territory, as did a part of East Prussia, the other part becoming Soviet territory.
    Towns famous over preceding centuries for their German names, such as Danzig, Posen, Breslau, Königsberg, became known as Gdansk, Poznan, Wroclaw, Kaliningrad. With the fall of Communism, the opportunity for the reestablishment of Freemasonry in these territories has become possible. Germany itself, after re-unification, presented rich opportunities. In many cases, actual lodge buildings in the eastern part of the country were still standing, although taken over for other uses under Communism. The names of the lodges were still remembered, and under the aegis of the Grossloge AFAM in West Germany, many former lodges in the ex-Communist territory have been reconsecrated.
    Now that the Grand Lodges of Poland and Russia are once again in existence, lodges that existed before the war can be re-established also in the parts of those countries which were formerly German territory. It is a mark of the dedication of the German brotherhood that they have reached out a fraternal hand to assist in rebuilding.
    One such initiative is the invitation, made annually at Advent by the wives and partners of the Lübeck lodge, Zur Weltbruderkette (‘Universal Chain of Brotherhood’) to children of the School of Music in Kaliningrad. These children come to Lübeck, to the lodge building itself, to put on a presentation of Russian fairy-tale plays and to sing Russian Christmas carols, which they do in beautifully-made Russian costumes. This is followed by a special advent feast prepared by the families of lodge members. The lodge also gives financial and other help to the School of Music in Kaliningrad.
    The Hannover lodge, Friedrich zum Weißen Pferd (‘Frederick of the White Horse’), not content with assisting in the reactivation of the lodge Minerva in Leipzig in 1990, also assisted Kaliningrad, bringing three men back to be initiated into the Hannover lodge. This lodge had already been instrumental in the re-consecration of an old Gdansk lodge Eugenia zum Gekrönten Löwen (‘Eugenia of the Crowned Lion’) now Eugenia Pod Ukornowanym Lwem – acknowledging its Polish status. As a result, the Master of Eugenia, Zbigniew Murawski, together with the Polish Grand Master, were able to influence the Russian Grand Master towards re-activating the former Kaliningrad Lodge. This is now being driven forward by Brethren from Hannover and Gdansk. Kaliningrad is closer to Gdansk than it is to Moscow, and was the birthplace of the great philosopher, Immanuel Kant.
    The Gdansk lodge has already become a significant bridge-builder between east and west as one of the most active lodges in the area. Six months after its reactivation, in September 2001, it held a symposium attended by Brethren from Russia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus, Germany, Poland and Turkey. Themes included the current situation of Freemasonry in central and eastern Europe, its development and the dangers faced. Brethen in Belarus, for example, have found that every kind of activity on their part is still regarded with suspicion by the State. There was a debate as to how young people can be won over to the ideals of Freemasonry. Summer youth camps were suggested, intended to bring together the future generation of Freemasons and to promote friendship and understanding. The first such gathering is being organised by the Brethren from Gdansk.
    The Gdansk lodge also announced the foundation of an institute for the research into the history of Freemasonry in eastern Europe and to set up masonic collections, documents and literature – financed by the Gdansk lodge and other Polish Brethren. The two-day symposium was linked to a cultural programme for the wives and partners of the participants, and events included a camp-fire wild-boar banquet, served with hunting ceremonial. It is astonishing how the masonic flame has burst into life with such vigour after so many years of extinction. It is a salutary lesson for us in the west, who take our Freemasonry so much for granted. With acknowledgements to Humanität

A Symposium of Freemasons from Central and Eastern Europe was held 21 – 23 September 2001 and presided over by Grand Commander of the Supreme Council for Poland, Wojciech Jean Sicinski, 33º. The Deputy Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Turkey, Huseyn Akarli, spoke eloquently on the need to study the past of Freemasonry in order to learn how to best shape the future; to apply masonic moral values to the world outside to shape society, the country and future generations for the better of humanity; to apply masonic principles and set examples in order to help society to become clean and moral. And further, to protect the environment and mother nature; train masons to be leaders in the pursuit of human rights, democracy, justice, honesty and the avoidance of religious sectarianism: that is, to train masons to be good men and true.

200 Years Since Freemasonry was Established in Portugal

The regular Grand Lodge of Portugal, founded in 1991 and recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England in 1992, on June 14th-15th, celebrated its own 11th anniversary and the 200th anniversary of the original Charter granted to the first Portuguese regular Grand Lodge by English Freemasonry in 1802.
    A delegation from England attended the celebration. It was headed by the Pro Grand Master, the Marquis of Northampton, and the Grand Secretary, Robert Morrow, together with two great friends of Portuguese Freemasonry, RMBI President, Brian Smith, and Peter Kitson. Also present were delegations from the Grand Orient of Brazil, led by the Grand Secretary, the Grand Loge National Français, led by the Assistant Grand Master, and the Grand Lodge of Spain, led by the Grand Master.
    The delegations were received by the President of the Portuguese Parliament, Mota Amaral, the Prime Minister of Portugal, Durrão Barroso and the Mayor of Lisbon, Santana Lopes. In addition, the President of the Republic of Portugal, who was absent from Lisbon, sent a message stressing the values of Regular Freemasonry.
    On the morning of the 15th, the delegations visited an hermetic and Templar palace at Sintra, the Quinta da Regaleira, guided by the Grand Master of Portugal, José M. Anes, who is a specialist on these subjects. The Portuguese Grand Master and Lord Northampton were then both interviewed on a national television programme.
    In the afternoon, the Portuguese Grand Lodge formally met in the Estoril (Palace of the Congresses) in the presence of about 300 Portuguese Freemasons. As a significant mark of respect, Lord Northampton was created an Honorary Grand Master of Portugal. The day ended with a well attended ladies’ night. These events were fully covered in the major Portuguese newspapers.

Masonic Community Days in Illinois

Illinois Freemasons wish to increase the public’s knowledge of Freemasonry and the contribution it makes to society. The first fifteen days of July have been designated "Masonic Community Days" and every lodge in Illinois has been asked to conduct one public event tied in with their community during this period. Grand Master of Illinois, James E. Durbin, said, "With this Masonic Awareness programme we address a problem Masons face around the world – to let the public know what Masonry is and what we do."
    The focus is on activities conducted by individual lodges in their communities and neighbourhoods rather than statewide events. "This approach was taken because the impact of our masonic lodges’ charitable and civic efforts is felt most immediately by their neighbours in their local communities" said Clarence Casson, Chairman of the Masonic Awareness Committee. Preliminary coverage in the local media has been good.
    A wide range of activities are planned: charitable fund-raising events such as breakfasts, corn roasts, rib fests and fish fries. Several lodges plan to conduct blood drives, child ID programmes and hold charity runs while others will host visitors in open houses in masonic Temples. Among the more specialised events are participation in a horseshoe pitching tourney, a fishing derby, half-time ceremonies at a football game and the dedication of a veteran’s memorial.

Hong Kong Masons Help Non-Masonic Charities

In recent years, giving to non-masonic causes by Freemasons of the District of Hong Kong and the Far East – with 16 Lodges in Hong Kong (with one on the way) and one in Kobe, Japan – has increased substantially. The District is now giving approximately fifty per cent of its donations to non-masonic charities.
    In 1998, District Grand Master, Peter H.Y. Wong, OBE instituted his Annual Appeal, which in that year raised £37,500 for the Children’s Cancer Fund. In 1999/2000, the Appeal collected £45,000 for the Queen Mary Hospital’s work in bone marrow transplants for children. The 2000/01 donation of £45,000 was used to further the Watchdog charity’s care and learning programmes for autistic children. For 2001/02, the Spastics Association of Hong Kong has been chosen. There has been a belated recognition of the emotionally taxing and physically exhausting demands made upon the carers and family members who look after ‘spastic’ children. This has resulted in the idea of offering the child, parents, carers and siblings a time away – from what can be a grinding daily routine.
    The scheme is unusual: the trip is a consequence of the handicap; a positive event in what for so long is a sequence of negative experiences. This child is the cause of the holiday, which is a new experience both for the child and for those closest to him or her – a time to be positively remembered.

North Carolina's Masonic Home for Children

North Carolina’s Masonic Home for Children, based in Oxford, has just been licensed by the State – official recognition that it meets the required safety and care standards. As its foundation pre-dates State licensure such recognition was not required but it was decided to apply for it voluntarily. The Home is open to all children; the only masonic requirement being that they are sponsored by a lodge.
    At the moment building is in progress in an ambitious plan, initially to build 7 single-story cottages for the use of children already in residence. The older children especially are excited over the new cottages since it will mean that they will have a room of their own for the first time rather than sleeping in dormitories. But this is just the beginning: eventually North Carolina masons intend constructing another 10 cottages to serve 80 or 100 additional children, doubling the number at the Home.
    Children in residence are provided with a level of care which they cannot receive in their own home. They obtain both academic and vocational educational support – while attending local schools – and join in with organised recreation and community activities. The Home also provides a full range of health care facilities. The aim is for each child to emerge with a rounded education, a strong sense of self-esteem and a solid moral foundation. Further aid is available for higher education through masonic scholarship funds.
    The Home for Children was founded by Freemasons in 1873 and has received strong support from the masonic community ever since, indeed, donations are up 10% in the last year.