ΠΗΓΗ: WWW.AASR-GREECE.GR
On behalf of the Greek delegation and of the standing
by me our Sovereign Grand Commander,
beloved MIlBr Iordanis Poulkouras, who has authorized me to speak on his
behalf, I would like to express my delight in being here, in this meeting, with
all of you. The topics treated in this meeting of the “Initiatory Encounters of Central Europe”, proved to be of
exceptional interest indeed, for the additional reason that it is the first
time they are discussed in an international masonic congress. Therefore, let us
congratulate the Grand Lodges who conceived this idea as well as all those who undertook
the task of organizing the symposium and worked hard for it; precisely, the
Grand Lodge of Serbia that played host of this meeting, the Grand Master of
France who had the original idea, the Pres. of the Conf. who supported that, the
Grand Masters of Bulgaria and
Romania who contributed to its, becoming an actual fact.
As for us, the Grand Lodge of Greece of the
AASR, we are really delighted, both with the concept and the consistent works
that have been accomplished today. Since Greece has a glorious worldwide,
well-known, past in Mysteries, please allow me to remind you of the
Aristotelian saying on Tragedy that points (upon my view) the initiatory experience
up: one participates in mysteries “not to learn,
but to suffer and get disposed”.
Freemasonry has raised initiatory procedures
to collective experience, to brotherly practice. Freemasonry is based on the
meaning of “brotherhood” that enables us – strangers to strangers in any other
case – to get together here, to rejoice and deepen the relations between
European people.
For us Greeks, being here is a fact of major mental and
national significance since Balkan Peninsula has always been our natural and
social space, our neighborhood. As recent historical events give proof of,
there are many bonds linking Balkan peoples together, such as ideas,
personalities and wars !. Together have-we started fighting for freedom against
the Othman Empire. Together have-we suffered of the hereinafter wars. Together
we’ve experienced brotherly links in Freemasonry under the ideas of European
Enlightenment. A considerable number of our compatriots (I mean of all the
Balkan nations) struggled and died for these
ideas. It is just for these very ideals that a prominent historical figure of
European Enlightenment and universal Humanism has wrestled, at the cost of his
life.
I am talking about Rigas Feraios Velestinlis
who is recognized as a hero of the entire Balkan region, regardless of his
place of origin. He dreamt of and proclaimed the freedom of all Balkan nations
through fraternity, being inspired by the Masonic ideals and practices. He, the
alleged brother, became the living example of Masonic initiation as a tool of
personal and national improvement, while his actions and he himself became the
symbol of a cultured Masonic consciousness, historically proving the
rightfulness of the idea of “Initiatory Encounters”, in line with what we have
heard in these past days from the honorable speakers.
I have paid special personal attention to the
work of this Balkan illuminist, both as ambassador of the Enlightenment in our
geographical neighborhood and as a symbol of the Balkan brotherhood. This was
exactly the subject of our research Lodge in Greece when I had the honor of
being its Worshipful Master and I hope it will also become the subject of a
future common research among all Masonic Orders in the Balkans, as in this
region Freemasonry has always been intrinsically tied to the national
liberation movements and the region’s life after those.
Don’t miss, the above Rigas’ ideas and desired relations between
individuals and Nations, in mutual respect and equity, are not past, they are
not any chatters. In the upcoming hard days, perhaps they will be our unique
shield against the already existing specters of the Economic Depression,
Racism, Secularism, Xenophobia and the resulting internal social problems and
international conflicts.
I have been authorized by all the brothers of
the Greek Order of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite to pledge that we shall
have a constant participation in these Initiatory Encounters, hoping that in
the near future they can also be organized in Greece.
I would like to conclude by confessing an
innermost personal desire: the 150th anniversary since the Grand Master of
Grand orient of Italy, brother De Luca, provided the patent to establish the
Grand Lodge of Greece falls next year. I do hope and I do wish we shall be able
to invite you so that we can all meet to celebrate together this anniversary in
Athens.
P. Thalassis / Grand Master of the Grand
Lodge of Greece
ΠΗΓΗ: WWW.AASR-GREECE.GR
ΠΗΓΗ: WWW.AASR-GREECE.GR
