10 years Supreme Grand Council|
10 years Supreme Grand Council |
| CELEBRATION FOR THE 10 YEARS OF THE SUPREME
GRAND COUNCIL OF THE INTERNATIONAL FREEMASONIC ORDER "DELPHI" |
On December 16th and 17th 2006, the celebrations were held for the 10 years of the Supreme Grand Council. The celebrations were attended by those who held the 4º or higher Degree. Present also were representatives of the Freemasonic Orders of Italy, Spain, Belgium and the Most Serene Grand Lodge of Greece. In his speech, the Supreme Grand Commander Bro. Vassilios Patkas,33º stated the following: "I am happy and honored to welcome you today at the 10th year celebration of the founding of the Supreme Grand Council of the "DELPHI" International Freemasonic Order. It is a great joy to witness the presence of so many distinguished delegations representing Supreme Councils from other European Freemasonic Orders. Today we are celebrating the a new foundation of our Order, which from a Confederation of Lodges was transformed to an independent and self-governing Organization, having as its main purpose the modernization of its Administration so that it may better face the rapidly changing social conditions at the international level and the urgent need of passing the Freemasonic Ideals to countries that do not have Freemasonic Lodges and also to those countries that do not have active mixed Freemasonic Lodges. The Founding Declaration of December 14th, 1996 expressed the vision and willingness of its signatories to proceed united and guided by the timeless Principles and Values of international Freemasonry, to upkeep its Ancient Traditions and to strive for the moral improvement and spiritual evolution of the people and the society, beyond the defined geographical borders. In 1996 the great majority of the Brothers and all the Lodges of the then called Hellenic Federation, decided to dissociate from the International Freemasonic Order "Le Droit Humain". The reason was the inability of the then Supreme Council to cover the individual provincial needs that were created from the spread of the activities of the Hellenic Federation to neighboring countries, not to mention that their decision to dispense with the National Council created conditions of disorder and a lack of legality for its actions. Then it was that the “DELPHI” International Freemasonic Order was created and was formed the founding Supreme Council of the 33º and Last Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. Our Order became International in order to administrate the initiatory and administrative matters, not only of all the Greek Lodges, but also of those Lodges that were founded in countries outside Greece. The oldest Blue Lodge in our Order is the Lodge “Athena”. According to its Founding Charter, which is in our Records, the Lodge was founded in 1926 and was under the aegis of the International Mixed Freemasonic Order “Le Droit Humain”. Today, this Lodge together with 27 other Blue Lodges and 17 Lodges of Higher Degrees - including the oldest Lodges of Higher Degrees, referring to the Lodge of Perfection “Harmony”, to the RC+ "Phoebus" and the Council of "Pnyx" that were formed in 1966 - constitute the "DELPHI" International Freemasonic Order. Our Order, in accordance to our Founding Declaration, is solely represented by the Supreme Council of the 33º. Under its aegis are all Lodges and National Organizations of the countries that our Order has expanded its Work. The Blue Lodges function inside the framework of the National Organizations which are governed by a Body of General Rules and Regulations, for example the Blue Lodges of Greece constitute the “Grand Mixed Lodge of Greece” which functions in autonomy in the framework of the Body of General Rules and Regulations and is in a legally independent form. The “Grand Mixed Lodge of Greece” was founded with the decision of the Supreme Council the same day of its constitution. In the same manner all Lodges of Perfection constitute the “Grand Council of the Lodges of Perfection of Greece”, which functions in autonomy in the framework of the Body of General Rules and Regulations. Our Order, in all its Degrees follows the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry recognizing to all its members the absolute freedom of consciousness. From its new foundation in 1996 at Athens as an independent and self-governing entity, it follows the Grand Freemasonic Constitutions of 1786 and the traditions of the International Mixed Freemasonry. Its aim remains the unhindered, effective and creative action in the intellectual and social field at the international level. This is done through the activities of its members so that the Freemasonic ideals will be spread all over the world. Today, celebrating the Anniversary of the completion of the first decade since the founding of the Supreme Council, we mentioned Principles and Values, the Freemasonic Ideal and Tradition, the Grand Freemasonic Constitutions of 1786 and the spreading of Freemasonry to all the countries of the world. But what occupies my thoughts is our aim to increase our involvement in acts of philanthropy, moral support, respect and love towards our fellow humans. Freemasonry is an institution with humanitarian character aiming at social progress and justice. As Freemasons, we have to be able to answer the questions of the uninitiated, and this requires the necessary knowledge and clear position concerning the contemporary identity of Freemasonry, dissociating its Principles and Values from ideological admixtures that have nothing in common with Freemasonry. It must be pointed that Freemasonry can be described as a philanthropic methodology by the deciphering of its symbols, but none will describe it today as a philosophical system. Also its ritualistic nature – that traditionally calls for the use of rites- cannot be equated with apocryphistic rituals that refer to secret- and some times dangerous- organizations and ideologies. It also must be pointed the non-dogmatic nature of Freemasonry and its ecumenical disposition to accept in its ranks free- thinking people that are of good will, independently of their nationality, race, gender, religion, philosophy and social status. Today everything changes with great speed and we, the Freemasons, must not remain simple observers. I am of the opinion that the Freemasonic Orders, through their Supreme Councils, must exchange views and their experience more often concerning this opening of Freemasons to the Society. The in common approach of social issues and the actions of the Supreme Councils will be for the Freemasons proof of their usefulness and a personal encouragement to proceed with their Work. Entering the Second Decade, the Supreme Council aims to:
Dear Bro. and Sist., The prolific participation of the members of the Order brought many and important moral benefits concerning the its international size and reputation. I am proud of this and I express to you my gratification. I wish that those that will be sitting on this seats ten years from now, will be able to present more things that were done and for that they me be happy and content, living in an international environment where the Absolute Freedom of Consciousness and Democracy will be its main characteristics, and its members will happily enjoy their prosperity." |