About Freemasonry

Latvijas Lielloža or Grand Lodge of Latvia represents all Freemasons of this country and this website is the sole home page of regular Latvian Freemasons on the Web providing general information on Freemasonry, updated information of the Grand Lodge of Latvia as well as news and announcements concerning regular Freemasonry. The Grand Lodge of Latvia dissociates itself completely from and has nothing to do with websites found on the Internet and people who would attract attention by use of images and signs of Freemasonry thus misleading the general public on their own status as well as on Freemasons and principles of Freemasonry on the whole. It should be noted that one of the principles of Freemasonry is unpretentiousness.

Core and Objectives

The core of the brotherhood of Freemasons is a common idea, a tolerant fraternal unity and self-enrichment through symbolic emotional experience. As members of an association sharing strong ethical views, freemasons advocate humanism, fraternity, tolerance, placidity and social justice. As a set of fraternally united companions, they exercise mastering of the above values in their Lodges and as a symbolic fellowship, Freemasonry serves the transcendence of ideas and unity into emotional experience by its brothers. Behind this aspect there is the uniqueness of Freemasonry making it stand out among any other kind of associations.

Although communication among Freemasons does not always take place only in traditional forms, the central role is played by degree ceremonies organized according to definite rites. Moreover, it would be futile to argue whether degree ceremonies constitute the cause or means of Freemasonry and whether togetherness ensures the performance of the rite or traditions primarily serve for creation of togetherness.

It is hardly arguable that all activities of Freemasons are centred round the communication within the Lodge or rituals of the Temple. It should be admitted that the vitality of Freemasonry is largely based on forms and symbols that have been preserved immutable throughout centuries.

Freemasonry is one of the most ancient and largest currently existing brotherhoods in the world. It unites 5 to 6 million members globally. The origins of modern Freemasonry are found at the end of the 17th century and nowadays it continues to carry on respectfully the inherited traditions making Freemasonry so exceptional in human society.

The mission of Freemasonry is teaching of three principles: brotherly love, relief and truth as well as promotion of a lifestyle uniting like-minded men in the whole world who are above different religious, cultural, social and other differences.

The goals of Freemasons are:

promotion of self-development and self-education;
activities and charity targeted at building of a better society as the whole;
Promotion of better life strengthened with high moral and ethical principles.

Freemasonry has inherited traditions rooted in the guilds of stone masons of the middle Ages. Ritual work serves the following purpose:

admittance of new members,
deepening the sense of fellowship among brothers,
comprehending of the moral standards of freemasons,
mustering of spiritual strength and elation of soul of brothers.

purpose_and_essence

What is a Freemason?

A Freemason in Latvia is a man of mature personality who indulges in self-development, self-improvement and support of the society. It is an individual firmly determined to turn himself into a better man and whose purpose is perfection. Any male with the above qualities is warmly welcome to join the community of Latvian Freemasons.

True values of the Freemason are high moral standards and Freemasons are expected to follow such standards of their free will according to the appeals of the organization.

Masonic values:

Equality and understanding;
charity and other activities for the benefit of the society;
education, self-development and perfection;
the ability to act independently for the common cause of the organization.

A Freemason and his family members are law-abiding citizens enjoying friendship and sense of inclusion created by community of like-minded people.

A freemason admits and accepts the existence of a uniting element at the heart of the Universe.

who_is_mason

Essential Requirements to Freemasons

Freedom of mind,
ability of independent reasoning,
independence, inexhaustible wish for self-development and avoidance of getting stuck on one’s achievement.

Under the influence of external conditions Freemasons are aware of a constant need to refresh and re-define their values more and more specifically and re-instil them with a new drive.

The social life of the community of brothers within the Lodge requires good mutual understanding in any situation of life, delicacy in understanding idiosyncrasies of different brothers and readiness to help, if appropriate. The Masonic tolerance is by no means indifference towards the opinion of others; on the contrary, it is understood as preparedness to be engaged in a controversial discussion without losing respect towards conviction or opinion of one’s partner or even an opponent. This is often impeded by egoistic manners of conduct and other human imperfections. Overcoming of such imperfections by means of conversations, admonitions and personal example is a constant object of Freemason’s work.

A Freemason evaluates own way to perfection only by means of self-comparison. Am I a better man today than I was yesterday? Will I be able to become a better man tomorrow than I am today?

Role of Freemasonry in Society

Freemasons believe that there are two things required for making lives of both, separate individuals and social groups meaningful: understanding of the world we all live in and inward confidence guiding our practical activities. Lodges should contribute to the process of guidance in values by providing information and joint contemplation practices. The reflection of truth in the light of humanity, fraternity, tolerance, placidity and social justice may provide landmarks needed in hard moments of decision.

Avoiding socio-political utopias, Freemasons do not provide a ready made detailed answer on the world order. The concepts of humaneness and tolerance however, enable them to notice danger early and undertake appropriate action.

Freemasonry offers a way of life-long development based on strong principles, sense of inclusion and perfection of one’s personality. The principles expected of a freemason to guide his actions are tolerance, equality, charity and honour. The Freemason demonstrates these principles by practicing tolerance to others, respecting other people’s opinion, having a great tact in dealing with people, understanding and practicing compassion and attending to the needs of the surrounding society. Through ceremonies making use of tools of stone masons from the Middle Ages, the Freemasons interpret these principles to their younger fellows at the Lodge.

Freemasonry accepts diversity of opinion and declines any grading of brothers by the race or political views. At the same time, Freemasons are expected to believe in a Supreme Being, a detailed understanding of which is left at their own discretion.

Freemasons promote development of each individual in order to improve the society as a whole.

Regularity in Freemasonry and its Meaning

The designator irregular or clandestine Freemasonry should be attributed to Lodges which are not internationally recognized as conforming to the underlying principles of Freemasonry. In 1877, the United Grand Lodge of England and consequently also many other regular Grand Lodges withdrew recognition of GOdF (Grand Orient de France), later also that of Grand Loge de France.

Regularity is a mechanism by which the Grand Lodges recognize one another, thus expediting mutual collaboration and giving opportunity to their members to visit Lodges within jurisdiction of another Grand Lodge. At the same time, regularity does not permit collaboration with irregular lodges. For this reason, all Grand Lodges maintain lists of other jurisdictions and Lodges they consider regular.

Grand Lodges that have mutually recognized one another and allow mutual visits of brothers are called fraternal. Defining regularity the United Grand Lodge of England is guided by several prerequisites laid down in its Constitution and the Constitutions of Grand Lodges that are mutually fraternal. Despite that, depending upon national and historical traditions there are several derogations possible. Other Masonic communities organize themselves in a different way.

Each of both leading Freemasonic branches considers their own lodges “regular” and those of the other branch – “irregular”. The branch represented by the United Grand Lodge of England is considerably larger in number of members and Grand Lodges incorporated in its fraternity are commonly referred to as “regular Freemasonry”, while lodges in fraternity with Grand Orient de France are called “irregular”. At the same time, the term “irregular” is generally applied also to different formations claiming adherence to freemasonry but unrecognized by either of the main branches.

Every Freemason is encouraged to help those in need and hardship as well as to support knowledge-thirsty young people. As far as possible, Freemasons render them financial and other kind of help. It is a voluntary act which must be substantiated by each Freemason himself and the amount of help depends upon means of the particular individual.

Charity

Every freemason is encouraged to help distressed, as well as curious young people, and as much as possible freelancers help with materials and other forms of support. Every freemason chooses and justifies his own actions, and its extent depends directly on the possibilities of this person.

How to Become a Freemason

First of all, it is its own desire and readiness to become a freemason. Our organization is not a business club. Joining free masonry and further action is done by invitation and free will and without any external pressure.

Admission to Masonry takes place at the invitation of an existing brother who demonstrates that this person possesses the necessary qualities of freemasonry, and according to the ritual.

how_to_become_mason

Links

United Grand Lodge of England
http://www.ugle.org.uk

United Grand Lodges of Germany
http://www.freimaurer.org

Unites 5 Grand Lodges of different rites
- Vereinigten Großlogen von Deutschland http://www.freimaurer.org
- Die Große Landesloge der Freimaurer von Deutschland http://www.freimaurerorden.de
- Große National-Mutterloge „Zu den drei Weltkugeln” http://www.3wk.org
- American Canadian Grand Lodge http://acgl.freimaurer.org
- The Grand Lodge of British Freemasons in Germany http://www.gl-bfg.com

For further information, please, see a website supported by freemasons clarifying different myths on freemasonry circulating in the world.
http://www.masonicinfo.com

Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon. This website sums up and makes available a lot of materials on freemasonry: history, customs and symbol systems.
http://freemasonry.bcy.ca

One of the largest collections on the Internet providing numerous links to different websites on Freemasonry.
http://masons.start4all.com