About Freemasonry

Freemasonry

Freemasonry is one of the largest and oldest fraternities which is characterized as a social structure for gathering people who are studying main esoteric traditions of Europe, Mediterranean and Middle East. To preserve its own universal characteristics, Freemasonry uses mason – architectonic symbolism through which is inviting its Initiatives to leave itself to the self-awareness by using rituals in their temples which are places for discussion and exploration of universal moral principles with purpose of building better and fairer world.

Although, freemasonry was in its roots exclusively a male association, Grand Symbolic Lodge of Croatia stands out as a liberal and adogmatic institution, open to every man and woman, no matter what nationality, sex, political and religious stances they have. In our membership we approximately have 70 percent of men and 30 percent of women, with a low average of member age.

Freemason

Freemason has to be honorable, honest, moral and righteous person in every way, a person willing to put itself in service of social good. He has to know how to recognize man among people and always be ready to understand others rising beyond his personal interests. Therefore, he has to be honorable and sincere, be capable of expressing himself without any delay or conditioning. He cannot passively accept any kind of power abuse. He has to respect the law and duties of a free man who prefers quiet discussion and not violence. Inclusive, he has to be the person who is achieving social progress through the excellence of work, education and mutual tolerance.

Furthermore, Freemason has to be in favor of everyone, knowing how to lead his family, be an example to his children and serve his homeland by participating in life of his people, actively contributing in law formulation and respecting them, realizing his rights and duties without hesitation. Finally, he has to have capacity to become a man capable of practicing true morality, which is for Freemason science that rests on common sense in form of natural, universal and eternal laws – moral that keeps all human beings free.

Principles

Freemasonry is a universal and traditional initiative order based on tolerance and fraternity.

It makes alliance of free people with good habits, all races, all nationalities and all religions.

The aim of Freemasonry is perfecting individual and humankind. For this purpose, Freemasons are constantly working on improving itself and humankind.
Freemasons don’t accept any kind of restrictions of their researches, neither they impose limitation on their thinking. They respect others right to freedom of conscience and expression of same.

They seek reconciliation of opposition by wanting to unite people in practicing and respecting everyone’s personality.

Freemasons have to respect law and authority of country they live in and where they freely gather.

They are enlightened citizens who comply with the rules imposed by the conscience. By practicing Royal art they take care of centennial old traditional rules and customs of Order.

About Scottish Rite

The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite has its roots from old Rite of Perfection which consisted of 25 degrees.

He is defined as a ritual with 30 high degrees on which is added first three symbolic degrees, from The Supreme Council of Charleston (South Carolina, 1801.) where had participated a French, Alexandre Francois Auguste de Grasse – Tilly, Grand Commander. He came back to France in 1804.where he established first European Supreme Council in Paris.

This rite of high degrees later expanded among the countries in Europe and America. The Supreme Council of France had to define for their own obediences rituals for the first three degrees which have inspired other obediences to practice them as well.

Higher Degrees make long and interesting exploratory path, which, among others, symbolically touches texts of Old and New Testament. Ritual itself is separating itself from focus on religious themes that some of the texts represent.

Symbolism and esotericism which are part of this degrees serve Masons to enrich and strengthen their personal perfection by studying them in slow and progressive way.