- “We are not a secret organization, but we participate in the meetings of our lodges, which are private and open only to our members.”
- “Conspiracy theories which attribute to Freemasonry a mysterious and dominant role in the administration of the world have never been proven and are usually regarded as deviating from reality.”
- “Any political or religious discussion at the Masonic meetings was not and is not permitted.”
- “The Grand Lodge of Greece has about 5,000 active members. Worldwide Freemasons are estimated at about 8 million.”
by Vangelis Triantis
Data Journalists were found in the sanctuaries of the Grand Lodge of Greece and in particular in the well-known building on Acharnon Street where Greek Masons have been housed for decades
For the first time, videos and photos from the interior of the Grand Lodge are published, specifically from three places: the ceremony hall, the library, and the Museum of the Grand Lodge. This is not the first time that the journalistic research of Data Journalists has dealt with Greek Freemasonry. Urban myths, eminent Greeks, ceremonies, symbols, and rumors circulating in Greek society, have given to Masonry mythical dimensions well covered under the veil of fear or mystery. Data Journalists attempt through journalistic research to provide answers to common questions that concern the average citizen about what Masonry is. These questions are answered by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Greece, Michalis Mattes.
Our appointment for the entrance to the Grand Lodge of Greece was given for last Friday at noon. The Grand Lodge of Greece, which is based in Acharnon Street, was founded in 1811. This is the first Grand Lodge created in Greece as part of the operation of Freemasonry. The first Masonic Lodge in our country of course was founded a few years ago and specifically in 1782 in the then Venetian-occupied Corfu.
The entrance to the Grand Lodge of Greece looks like a journey through space or time. The walls are decorated with photographs or portraits of Greeks who have served in high positions in Greek Freemasonry or photos from meetings and events with leading Masons abroad. At the end of the entrance, there is a marble staircase. The architecture of the building combined with what has been told from time to time about Freemasonry really exudes mystery.
The Library of Books from 1870
The first stop includes the Library of the Grand Lodge of Greece. It is a truly rich library with a total of about 8,500 titles and about 25,000 copies. Its content has to do mainly with books about Freemasonry or writings of leading Masons and not only. Some of the books have real historical value as they date back to 1870.
Watch the video and photos of the library.
The Museum
Next to the library is the Museum of the Grand Lodge of Greece. At this point, a confrontation begins between the past and the present. Masonic medals, handwritten letters, hammers, and symbols decorate the museum of the Grand Lodge. Some of the findings were presented in earlier journalistic research by Data Journalists. Among the findings is the Knight Templar uniform.
Watch the video
The imposing ceremonial hall
Next is the ceremonial hall of the Grand Lodge of Greece. It is the room where its members meet and it seems like it has come from another era. In some of the seats are placed knight swords. As explained to us everything in Masonry is symbolic. The room is made of marble. The colors and the lighting create a mysterious atmosphere. As we move forward, the colors change. From pale blue, the wall in the front has a strange shade of red. On the top border of the wall are written three words: “Liberty, Equality, Brotherhood.” Going towards the exit one sees two columns, while at the top border of the wall, there is a pediment, which is reminiscent of that of the Acropolis.
Watch the video and photos:
Interview with the Great Master, Michael Mattes
Michalis Mattes is the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Greece. This is the highest rank in Freemasonry usually attributed to one who has absolute acceptance in the Masonic Fraternity. In Freemasonry, the title of Grand Master symbolizes and represents collectivity, synergy, and solidarity, as Mr. Mattes tells us.
The discussion starts from scratch. Everyone, after all, upon hearing the word “Freemasonry” makes various connotations. A few urban myths, a bit of prejudice, a bit of Hollywood, and the same architecture of the Masonic Palace of Athens of the Grand Lodge that looks like a “passage” to another world, raise questions.
“What is Masonry, Mr. Mattes?”
“Freemasonry is an experiential methodology that guides its members through systematic work and perpetual building, to experience unity in harmony, union, and concord, through the pursuit of knowledge – through justice and love”.
That is? What is the goal of Masonry?
“Freemasons worldwide work unceasingly for the moral and spiritual uplift of mankind, through the peaceful and gradual elevation of the individual. As a supreme good, they regard freedom of thought and conscience and profess that all men are born free, having the same rights as brothers. Irrespective of any difference between them in regard to intellectual or material qualifications, descent, social status, nationality, race, color, language, or religion their belief remains unaltered”.
What does Freemasonry teach?
Masonry teaches in an experiential way and urges to be transmitted by example to the whole of humanity, the study of love, as the sole material of man’s free consciousness. It argues that world progress should only be achieved through the harmonization of common human interests, voluntary cooperation, love, respect, and mutual tolerance. As in a society of brothers and sisters in free solidarity, which will guarantee to all the greatest freedom, the greatest development, and the greatest possible prosperity.”
When did Freemasonry begin in Greece?
Based on recorded history, the foundation of Freemasonry in Greece is firmly placed in 1811, when, on the occasion of the birth of Napoleon’s first son, Dionysios Romas, along with other important Freemasons, traveled to Paris, where they managed to gain recognition of the Great East of France. Romas, who was authorized to represent before the French Masonic Authorities his Greek Brothers, filed an application in the Great East of France, requesting the establishment of a United Greek Lodge, based in Corfu. The application was immediately accepted and the Freemasonry in Greece acquired an unprecedented institutional status, which led it to develop dynamically and consolidate other dimensions of its action.
What is the Grand Lodge of Greece?
The Grand Lodge of Greece was founded in 1811, which was the first Grand Lodge created in Greece as part of the operation of Freemasonry. Since then, it has operated continuously and has never ceased to be vigilant for the progress, expansion, and flourishing of the Masonic Brotherhood in our country.
The Grand Lodge is the most important functional and administrative institution, but also the most important authority in Freemasonry. It is the Authority that, within the Masonic Jurisdiction in a spatial dominance, grants to the individual Lodges that comprise it, their regularity and international status. 1811 marks not only the de facto institutional foundation for Masonry in Greece but also the creation of its administrative structure, with purely Greek criteria both for its external characteristics and for the internal content of its masonic quests and goals.
Let’s move forward, for example, after World War II. How did things evolve?
After the end of the painful German occupation, during which all the operations of the Grand Lodge of Greece had been suspended, on March 3, 1945, the first post-war assembly of the Council of the “Grand Lodge of Greece” was convened and the resumption of the work of the Lodges was arranged. It was then that the Grand Lodge of Greece settled here where we are now, in the two-story building that had been purchased at the junction of Acharnon 19 and Sourmeli streets. This place was erected in 1967 by the Grand Master Alexandros Tzatzopoulos the Masonic Palace of Athens, in fulfillment of the goals of the founders of the Masonic Foundation.
What do you say to those who say that Freemasonry is a secret society?
It is clear that we are not a secret organization, but we participate in the meetings of our lodges, which are private and open only to our members just like many other social groups. The rules and objectives of Freemasonry are available to the public. We are simple people and all we care about is our spiritual evolution, the service of our high masonic values, philanthropy, and the progress of society through historical philosophical quests and reflections. Masonry is a way of life. You make new friends without forgetting your former surroundings.
Do some people insist that you rule the world behind the scenes?
No, conspiracy theories that attribute to Freemasonry a mysterious and dominant role in the administration of the world have never been proven and are usually regarded as deviating from reality. These ideas have appeared in various forms over the course of history. Freemasonry is a social and spiritual Brotherhood based on solidarity, humanitarian development, and the personal improvement of its members. Masons are focused on extremely high values such as truth, justice, freedom, and fraternity.
How many members does the Grand Lodge of Greece have?
The Grand Lodge of Greece has about 5,000 active members and more than 7,000 inactive. Worldwide Freemasons are estimated at about 8 million.
Are there secret rituals and occult mysteries in Freemasonry?
All masonic ceremonies are symbolic and form the most important part of the masonic experience. Although the details of ceremonies and mysteries are classified for those who are not members.
The ceremonies of masonry include myths, allegories, and tectonic symbols. These mysteries and rituals are intended to convey messages, symbolisms, and values to the members of the Masonic community.
Participation in the dramatic presentation of myths, allegories, and symbols is the only way to create the Masonic experience. In this way, the Masonic Disciple matures and the employee is promoted to the rank of Partner. As a Partner now with the passage of time, the continuation of work, and the formation of his masonic experience, he gains the ability to rise to the rank of Master.
It is important to note that the secret ceremonies and mysteries of Freemasonry are not aimed at promoting the paranoid acquisition of power or securing secret information. Rather, they are part of a tradition and a process of spiritual growth and self-knowledge for the members of the Masonic association.
Is what they say about political pressure true?
Absolutely not. Every Freemason, as a free man, has his political convictions and performs his political duties at his absolute discretion. Freemasonry as a body will never express a judgment on political matters and never propose any political or religious position or opinion. Besides, any political or religious discussion at the Masonic meetings was not and is not permitted.
Are there any famous Greeks who are masons?
Yes, there are many known Greeks who were or are masons. Masonry has a long history in Greece and has affected many people in various sectors of society. It is important to note that the Masonic order respects the privacy of its members, and so any more information about assistance with Masonry is usually voluntarily called by the members themselves.
