"Grand Lodge of Georgia - Perspectives"

In March 2021, the Grand Lodge of Georgia held a general meeting and celebrated its 6th anniversary. The delegates of the meeting heard the reports of the past year and discussed several important matters, including the nomination of the new Grand Master, Most Venerable Brother George P∴, to be presented at the 2022 Grand Lodge Assembly. It is the very honorable brother who answers our questions.

What has been done in the last 6 years?

First of all, I would like to thank the Board of Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of Georgia for nominating me as a candidate for Grand Master. The said decision was supported by the delegates of the meeting and finally my candidacy will be put to the vote before the delegates of the National Assembly of the Grand Lodge of Georgia in 2022. If elected, 2022-2025 I am ready to fully invest my energy and abilities in the further development of the Masonic Order, one might say - in the complete transformation.

It is a great honor and I am happy to congratulate you today on the 6th anniversary of the only legitimate and regular Masonic union in Georgia - Grand Lodge of Georgia! I remember very well how the Georgian masons, who have joined the different masonic jurisdictions of the world, started the national initiative to establish a sovereign masonic union, Grand Lodge, for the first time in the history of Georgia. In the first stage, which lasted 6 years, we opened a masonic club, united Georgian masons with a united spirit, and finally, on March 14, 2015, the oldest free and accepted order of masons (Masons) was founded - Grand Lodge of Georgia. The road to founding was not strewn with roses, we passed many obstacles, obstacles, opponents, weaknesses, passions, even betrayal. Kartrakuk only united and strengthened our team, which is united by brotherly love and harmony in one strong family. Since 2015, we have gone through several stages of development, the establishment of the Grand Lodge has also resulted in many difficulties, disappointments, pains and obstacles, but the common zeal, hard work, motivation, determination and determination, as well as mutual loyalty, unwavering respect and protection of Masonic traditions and customs, have brought us to this day. What has been done during these years is well known to you, here I just mention some of the main achievements and I want to thank all the brothers who contributed to the sustainable development of the Grand Lodge of Georgia.

As of today, Grand Lodge of Georgia includes 7 symbolic dignified lodges, most of which work in the first three symbolic degrees of the ancient and accepted Scottish charter. Also, last year, St. In the east of Tbilisi, the lodge working with the first three symbolic degrees of the French charter was founded, which allows us to see the upper degrees of this charter in Georgia in the future. As regards the ancient and accepted Scottish statutes, you know that st. The Lodge of Perfection (working in degrees 4-14) "Prometheus" P245 was founded in Tbilisi, which was the first swallow in the development of the system of upper levels in Georgia. Soon, we will see a sovereign chapter (15-18 degrees) in Georgia. I am proud that I was the initiator of the beginning of this historical process a few years ago together with the previous grand master, the most honorable brother Irakli M∴. Thanks brother Iraklis! I am sure that by 2025, first the Areopagus (lodge of 19-30 degrees), and then the Sovereign Supreme Council of Georgia of the ancient and accepted Scottish charter will be established in Georgia, and Georgia will participate in the twenty-third and last World Convention of Supreme Councils of Degrees and join the international family.

The integration of Georgia and the Georgian brothers into the English Rosicrucian Society, whose college will be opened in Georgia in the near future, is of great importance. I remember how we started to develop in this direction, how many obstacles and formalities we had to overcome, how the British brothers appreciated us and made appropriate changes in the statutes of the ancient brotherhood, just so that the Georgian brothers, with the passport of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, could join. Here, too, I cannot but express special thanks to the acting grand master, the most worthy brother Vakhtang J∴, for his hard work and invested energy.

As I mentioned above, in the future it is planned to develop the highest degrees of the French charter, which is different and beautiful, esoteric-chivalric and, at the same time, scientific-educational charter, which will bring us even closer to the European Masonic family and the roots of Georgian Masons. Thanks to all brothers who are actively involved in this process.

I can't help but touch on the pandemic that has affected every individual, Lodge, Freemason and Grand Lodge since the spring of 2020. I am sincerely glad that it has touched the members of our Grand Lodge and their families relatively lightly, while too many Masonic brothers have died around the world and I will observe a minute's silence in their memory...

In the same period, i.e. from March 2020, we started internal audio-video lectures and conferences, and in April, we had the first online open circuit with the Worthy Master of the "Four Crowned" (Quadro Coronati) Lodge in London, which was helped by the National Center for Semiotics. Gradually, our lectures turned into a unique project in the world called "Sapere Aude", that is, "Get to know yourself" and which today is one of the most watched channels in the Masonic space. I took part in the development of this project at the initial stage, but the subsequent and current success is undoubtedly the merit of our brother, Assistant Grand Master, Venerable Brother Davit Ch∴, and on behalf of the Grand Lodge I would like to thank him and wish him further development and success. I wish all brothers and their families good health in this difficult pandemic period. I am glad that the work continued, taking into account the recommendations of the World Health Organization, and I hope that a number of restrictions will be removed from the spring of this year, which will allow us to receive more new members and work more actively.

What caused the progress of one of the young Masonic associations in the world - Grand Lodge of Georgia?

For unity and teamwork, I would like to thank the Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of Georgia and also wish success to the new composition of Grand Officers, who have been approved by the Grand Master for a period of 1 year. I am glad that the composition of the Diad officers has been renewed this year. It is important, new faces, new attitudes and circulation of blood among the officers. Here I would like to wish success to the newly elected and approved Worthy Masters, Symbolic Lodge "King David the Builder" #1 and "Pythagoras" #7.

A lot of work and energy was put into the development of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, despite many obstacles, and it would have been impossible without the personal involvement of each brother, regardless of quality and rank - apprentices, fellow brothers, masters, worthy masters of lodges and grand officers, grand master. Each brother based on his own abilities created, improved himself and those around him, introduced nobility, enlightenment and progress. Special thanks to those who stood at the beginning of the founding of Grand Lodge of Georgia years ago.

The Grand Lodge is a dynamic, living organism, a new candidate comes, sometimes a brother leaves, but those who remain remain like sand on the bottom of the sea, bound together as one firm fist, as a family, with mutual respect, love and desire to change the environment in families, neighborhoods, villages and cities for the better. in our homeland and in the world. It is difficult to stand firmly and be a participant in the process when there are many difficulties, and of course it is much easier to give up, leave, relax... Not everyone can withstand the responsibility that is always on the shoulders of pioneers. Thank you to all the brothers in all degrees and ranks who are members of the symbolic lodges working under the cover of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, S∴L∴ "King David the Builder" #1, S∴L∴ "Acacia" #2, S∴L∴ "Rose and Cross" #3 . I would like to thank the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, who presented us with the new composition of officers.

You have been named Grand Master for the next term (2022-2025), what does this mean for you?

It is a great honor and emotionally quite exciting for me, the decision made by the Council of Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of Georgia in March - to nominate me as a candidate for Grand Master at the National Assembly of the Grand Lodge of Georgia in 2022... If I am elected by the delegates of the National Assembly, I will have the honor and dignity to lead Georgia for the years 2022-2025 The Masonic Order, which at the same time has the above-mentioned great responsibility, to each brother, to the world Freemasonry...

The Grand Master refers to himself as "we" when sending official correspondence, letters or appeals. Those who do not know or understand Masonic traditions may consider his self-referential arrogance, which is certainly not true. "We, the Grand Master" is the phrase by which the head of Masonic obedience, the Grand Master, signifies that he is congregational, represents all the brethren in unity, and must conform to a high standard of morals, ethics, morality, zeal, loyalty, diligence, and other qualities. In the hands of the Grand Master, there is great power in the Order and at the same time the most difficult responsibility to be an example, advisor, supporter and symbol of national and world Freemasonry to all brothers. Of course, the Grand Master cannot and will not exercise his authority without the members of the team, the Council of Grand Officers, and I hope, if elected, to represent worthy, hardworking and motivated team members in the positions of Grand Officers.

The Grand Lodge Assembly of 2022 will be the beginning of another new stage, a continuation of the development and progress of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, towards the sustainable development of each brother and our republic.

What action plan should you propose to the Georgian Masonic Order and society?

We have a year ahead of us and I am open to any communication, for now I will only draw your attention to a few things:

Who is a freemason, what is freemasonry - since the restoration of the masonic order in Georgia, this question is still heard in our society, and I believe that the Grand Lodge should be more flexible and diligent in its activities, it should devote more time and resources to public relations, and there are various means for this, M. Sh. Website, social media, television or print publications. As a result of our work, more than 20 Georgian-language books have been prepared and published, presented in electronic format, and our society has the opportunity to learn more about Freemasons and issues related to the Masonic Order. I thank all the brothers who contributed to this process once again.

The Grand Lodge of Georgia should clearly show its members and the Georgian society its social role. Although Freemasons, the Grand Lodge, do not interfere in the political or religious processes under their common name, they can express their position on the current issues in the republic, and not only state the position, but also become an active participant in various projects and programs, these directions are education, culture, Environmental protection and ecology, sports and healthy lifestyle, many others. The cornerstone of the development of any society is freedom, equality before the law, universal justice, overcoming poverty, education and science, respect for traditions and culture, the environment in which we all live and raise future generations, health care and social protection, and of course the development of civil society. I consider it appropriate to have more public socialization of the Grand Lodge, active participation in various fields. The forge of the future is always the present, the past is only a foundation, but not enough. Mental rejuvenation is needed, not just artificial reformation. Georgia is our motherland, its sovereignty, territorial integrity, dignified integration into the Euro-Atlantic family, preservation of traditions and sustainable development are one of the main missions and tasks of every citizen of our republic, individual Mason and Grand Lodge. Every global project, global undertaking is nothing if the national, native, personal is not properly valued, protected and developed. Harmony, love, stability, unity, forgiveness, progress - all this is our common work, for the future of Georgia.

The main priority will be the construction of the main building of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, the Citadel, which should begin soon with the participation and help of each brother and should be completed by 2025. This is my foremost and primary task as Chosen Grand Master. The building will be built in compliance with Masonic rules and traditions, all nuances will be taken into account, both for Grand Lodge activities and for Masonic higher levels.

There will be changes in the matter of accepting new members as well.

I will not talk about foreign relations in detail here and now, it is clear that the SDL continues to integrate into the world Masonic community, the fraternal chain, the deepening of relations with any regular dyad lodge and mutual recognition. An international team will work for this.

It is important to activate the Grand Secretariat of the SDL in a new way, to increase its flexibility and effectiveness of all structures included in it, to perfect and constantly refine the general proceedings.

Much attention will be paid to the regular meetings of the symbolic dignified lodges, their work, their compliance with the traditions of the order, the rules and the constitution and general regulations of the SDL. Every lodge should be exemplary, orderly and progressive.

For me, the Grand Lodge of Georgia is not only Freemasonry, it is my family, I am grateful to the Grand Creator that he gave me such outstanding and interesting people as brothers, and our family is the basis of the development of the state. I think that the involvement of the Grand Lodge of Georgia in the development process of the country should become more noticeable, because for us Freemasonry is a way of life based on enlightenment and progress, and the environment in which we live is the arena where this enlightenment and progress should be felt. One of the tasks of the existence of our Grand Lodge is to strengthen the independence of our Republic and create a decent future for each citizen.

The Grand Lodge of Georgia is a regular Masonic association throughout the territory of Georgia, which upholds the principles and traditions of regularity, which are given in the Constitution of James Anderson, recorded in the Conventions of Lausanne and Berlin, in other important documents and during meetings. Our lodges are for men only and no so-called "mixed" works. In addition, we welcome the activation of women in Georgia, the creation of a women's initiative group, which aims to develop women's masonic lodges and the establishment of a grand lodge of women masons of Georgia, in which only women will be present. I think that beyond the ritual and formalities, we, the male Masons, can provide worthy assistance to the women of Georgia in this important undertaking. This is necessary, and similar support and co-operation exists in any regular Masonic environment, be it England, traditionally France, Belgium, USA or elsewhere.

Let us remind you that 6 years is a very short period for the Masonic age, especially for the period of existence of the Grand Lodge. Could "more be done"? There is always some "dissatisfaction" that yes, it could have been done, but what was done is much more than what would be possible in a "standard" environment. The history of Freemasonry in its modern form spans 300-400 years, and it is not surprising that the mechanisms, systems and other results that many, especially Western, Masonic obediences have. And we have just started to restore the forgotten traditions and system for our society, just 3 years ago our integration into the European family took place, we do not face any adversary or obstacle, and this is quite an "ordinary" story. There are quasi-masonic and non-legitimate organizations in Georgia, their existence already creates a dualistic attitude in the society. The union with these organizations is not allowed, and the "joining" of their individual members is possible, following the Masonic rules and taking into account the interests of the Grand Lodge of Georgia. We invite everyone to the "open table", but this table has its own rules, traditions and circumstances specific to hosting a guest.

Behold, how good and how sad it is that brothers live together!

Look, it's good and good to be with brothers