History of Freemasonry in Georgia and Consecration of the United Grand Lodge of Georgia.
Freemasonry has a history of more than 200 years in Georgia (country). In the 19th century, masonic lodges were working in Kutaisi, Batumi and Tbilisi. The Soviet occupation of Georgia (1921) prevented the formation of a national, sovereign masonic jurisdiction in Georgia.
After the restoration of Georgia's independence in 1991, Georgian freemasons under various foreign masonic jurisdictions began the process of bringing masonic light to the country and establishing of the Grand Lodge.
The modern history of regular freemasonry in Georgia dates back to May 7th, 6011 A.L. when Grand Lodge of Armenia consecrated Worshipful Lodge “Golden Fleece” No. 7 on the east of Tbilisi. However, in 6013 A.L. three more regular Grand Lodges were involved in spreading of light in the country:
on February 8th, 6013 A.L. Grand Lodge of Russia consecrated Worshipful Lodge “King David the Builder” No. 39 on the east of Tbilisi and on February 22nd, 6013 A.L. one more Worshipful Lodge – “Saint Queen Tamar” No. 41 was consecrated under the auspices of Grand Lodge of Russia;
on February 20th, 6013 A.L. Grand Lodge of Ukraine consecrated Worshipful Lodge “Saint George” No. 10 on the east of Tbilisi;
on March 5th, 6013 A.L. Grand Lodge of Turkey consecrated Worshipful Lodge “Prometheus” No. 1004 on the east of Batumi.
Although all four Grand Lodges had mutual recognition among each other (except GL of Armenia and GL of Turkey), there was no common understanding or a plan of developing freemasonry in Georgia. This resulted in complicating the situation.
On October 26th, 6013 A.L. Grand Lodge of Armenia consecrated one more Worshipful Lodge “Tbilisi” No. 10 on the east of Tbilisi
Grand Lodge of Ukraine consecrated three more Worshipful Lodges:
-
WL “Ilia Martali” No. 12 on the east of Tbilisi – February 8th, 6015 A.L.
-
WL “Vazi” No. 13 on the east of Tbilisi – August 13th, 6015 A.L.
-
WL “Uplistsikhe” No. 14 on the east of Tbilisi – May 2nd, 6016 A.L.
On May 28th, 6016 A.L. Grand Lodge of Ukraine consecrated a District Grand Lodge in Georgia.
On March 14th, 6015 A.L. Grand Lodge of Russia consecrated one more Worshipful Lodge “George V the Brilliant” No. 48 on the east of Tbilisi and the next day held consecration ceremony of Grand Lodge of Georgia.
Grand Lodge of Georgia consecrated three more Worshipful Lodges later:
-
WL “A. Griboedov” No. 4 on the east of Mtskheta – June 19th, 6015 A.L.
-
WL “Mozart” No. 5 on the east of Tbilisi – January 1st, 6016 A.L.
-
WL “Knights of Light” No. 6 on the east of Tbilisi – February 15th, 6016 A.L.
Grand Lodges of Armenia, Turkey and Ukraine did not recognize Grand Lodge of Georgia (consecrated by Grand Lodge of Russia) and continued labours on the territory of Georgia.
By autumns 6016 A.L. the following masonic structures existed on the territory of Georgia:
-
Grand Lodge of Georgia (recognized by Grand Lodge of Russia, Grand Lodge of the Republic of Venezuela and Grand Lodge of Greece), having six Worshipful Lodges under its auspices;
-
District Grand Lodge of Georgia under the auspices of Grand Lodge of Ukraine, having four Worshipful Lodges;
-
Two Worshipful Lodges under the auspices of Grand Lodge of Armenia;
-
One Worshipful Lodge under the auspices of Grand Lodge of Turkey.
Cologne Meeting
Taking into consideration the complicated situation in Georgia on October 28th, 6016 A.L. Grand Master of United Grand Lodges of Germany Most Worshipful Brother Christoph Bosbach organized a meeting in Cologne which was attended by the representatives of all Grand Lodges working in Georgia – Grand Lodge of Armenia, Grand Lodge of Russia, Grand Lodge of Turkey and Grand Lodge of Ukraine.
The meeting was also attended by representatives of following regular Grand Lodges:
After tensed negotiations among the participants of the meeting, the four Grand Lodges working in Georgia came to the agreement to consecrate the United Grand Lodge of Georgia which would unite all Worshipful Lodges working on the territory of Georgia and be recognized by all four Grand Lodges. The consecration was scheduled for 2018 A.L. in order to reserve proper time for organizational matters and negotiation of all the details.
Consecration of the United Grand Lodge of Georgia
On August 25th, 6018 A.L. the labour of consecration of United Grand Lodge of Georgia was held on the east of Tbilisi.
The gavel was held by Grand Master of United Grand Lodges of Germany. Grand Masters of Grand Orient of Netherlands and Grand Lodge of Poland were holding positions of Senior and Junior Wardens respectively.
Grand Masters of Grand Lodge of Armenia, Grand Lodge of Russia, Grand Lodge of Turkey, and Grand Lodge of Ukraine confirmed consecration of United Grand Lodge of Georgia. The relevant Charter was signed.
Grand Master of United Grand Lodge of Georgia was installed. Grand officers of newly consecrated Grand Lodge were nominated and installed (guaranteeing representation for all Worshipful Lodges).
Regular freemasonry is being developed on the territory of Georgia within United Grand Lodge of Georgia in peace and harmony, in strict observance of the principles of the Ancient Landmarks, customs and usages of the Craft.
Regular Freemasonry is being developed on the territory of Georgia within the United Grand Lodge of Georgia
in peace and harmony, in strict observance of the principles of the Ancient Landmarks,
customs and usages of the craft.
