Freemasonry is a global progressive, philosophical and philanthropic institution. It works for the moral improvement of its members, which is achieved through self-awareness through their participation in a progressive initiatory process on the one hand, and through symbols and allegories on the other.

We are not a secret organization, but we participate in lodge meetings, which are private and open only to its members, just like many other social groups. Freemasonry’s rules and goals are available to the public. The meeting places are known and members, i.e. Freemasons, can – if they wish – speak openly about Freemasonry.

Freemasonry’s secrets are only the traditional ways of identifying its members which are not used indiscriminately, but merely as a test/confirmation of membership, e.g. when a Freemason visits a lodge where he is not known.

The meeting is divided into two parts. In the first part, and as in any organized body, there is a certain amount of administrative work i.e., ratification of the minutes of the previous meeting, proposing and voting for new members, discussing and voting on Lodge financial matters, elections for the election of the councils that govern the Lodges, reading the correspondence, etc. In the second part and depending on the program there are ceremonies for the initiation of new Freemasons or their progressive advancement and speeches/lectures related to issues of concern to Freemasons.

No. Freemasonry uses the concept of ritual to describe a collective experience that its members experience together. Participation in the dramatic presentation of myths, allegories, and symbols is better and more firmly imprinted in the mind of each candidate than simply having them conveyed to them by a simple reading

There are no oaths in Freemasonry. Freemasons promise. The promise they make is relevant to their conduct in Lodges, in the fraternity of Freemasonry, and in society. Each member also promises to keep confidential the traditional methods of identifying their membership. They also pledge to offer their support to any Freemason in need, but only if that support does not conflict with their duties to God, the law, their family, or their responsibilities as a citizen.

Absolutely not. This would constitute a malicious use of membership and would incur administrative sanctions. Upon admission to Freemasonry, each candidate categorically states that he or she does not expect any material gain from such membership. No more favorable judgment is made on the Mason but instead it is made much more severe than that which would be made on a non-Mason who has not had the opportunity to be taught ways to improve morals and conduct. It is always remembered that attempting to procure material benefits is a misuse of membership that Freemasonry cannot possibly tolerate. The Book of Constitutions, which every pledge is required to know, contains the exact rules governing the abuse of membership which may result in administrative sanctions ranging from temporary suspension of membership to expulsion from the Fraternity.

It’s not true. Charity has been the most important work of Freemasonry since its foundation since it defines itself, by its actions, as a charitable organisation. The philanthropic activities of Freemasonry and Freemasons constitute a most important contribution to society. Philanthropic acts are not necessarily always financial assistance to people in need, but also acts inspired by love for people.

Freemasonry embraces all individuals who believe in God. Belief in a God is necessary to become a Freemason. Freemasonry includes in its ranks Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, etc. and generally people who believe in every religion. Freemasonry’s use of the moniker “Grand Architect” is the highest form of respect for the God each member believes in, while avoiding causing religious differences. Consider what might be caused if a Lodge composed of Christians, Muslims and Hindus were to call God either Christ, Allah or Buddha. Consequently, individuals of different religions collectively declare their faith in God by calling Him the Great Architect. This epithet is first found in Plato’s Timaeus. It should also be categorically emphasized that religious discussions are not allowed in the lodges.

Absolutely not. Every Freethinker, as a free man, has his political beliefs and exercises his political duties at his absolute discretion. But Freemasonry as a body will never express any judgment on political matters and will never propose any political position or opinion. Besides, any political discussion at Masonic meetings was not and is not permitted.

Traditionally Freemasonry only accepts men as members. The stonemasons from whom modern Freemasonry originated were only men. When Freemasonry was organized in its present form at the beginning of the 18th century, the position of women in society was different than it is today. Out of respect and tradition alone, only men could become members of the Grand Lodge of Greece. There are, of course, organizations operating under Masonic practices that accept women as members.

The Grand Lodge of Greece has about 5,000 active members and about 3,000 inactive members. Worldwide, Freemasons are estimated at about 8 million.

It is not known. The earliest recorded initiation of a freemason in a lodge is that of Elias Ashmole in 1646 in England. The present form and organization of Freemasonry began with the founding of the Grand Lodge of England on June 24, 1717, which is the first Grand Lodge founded in the world. Ireland followed in 1725 and Scotland in 1736. All the other regular Grand Lodges founded in the world afterwards have founding roots in these Lodges.

As far as the origin of Freemasonry is concerned, there are two main theories.

According to the first, the stonemasons who built the great cathedrals and castles in the Middle Ages had their lodges near their places of work and called them lodges in which they held their meetings. They had simple initiation ceremonies and, since there were then no guild certificates, membership cards or union membership cards of any kind, they adopted secret signs and words to show that they were trained masons when they moved from area to area and from project to project. In 1600AD, these lodges, because of the prestige they gained, began to accept non-stonemasons/masons as freelance masons. Gradually, these free masonry men took over the administration of the lodges and transformed them from stonemason lodges to “free and accepted” or “theoretical” lodges.

The second theory holds that towards the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th century, there was a movement interested in promoting religious and political tolerance and independence at a time of feudalism and great oppression when differences of opinion on matters of religion and politics had led to bloody wars. By forming Freemasonry, they sought to improve human character, human morals and build a better world. Since the means of teaching at that time included allegories and symbolism, they took the idea of the Lodge as the central allegory on which they based the formation of their system. The main source of allegories was the Bible, the contents of which were known even to those who did not know how to read and write. The only building described in detail in the Bible is the temple of King Solomon, the construction of which became the main tectonic allegory. The old Masonic guilds provided the basic administrative structure of a lodge and the mason’s tools provided a wealth of symbols with which Freemasonry sought to explain its moral teachings.

Freemasonry consists of three degrees. The degree of the Student, the degree of the Partner and the degree of the Teacher. But there are many “additional” Freemasonic ranks which belong to other independent Freemasonic orders and which have no administrative relation to each other. Some of these additional ranks appear numerically superior to the rank of Master but this has no bearing on the fact that they are different ranks of other Masonic organizations. The Freemason has complete freedom to follow the other “additional” but not necessarily “superior” degrees. The two main systems of additional degrees are the Royal Arc Order and the Scottish Type.