Evolution and transformation in Freemasonry

Let us recall how the transformation from operative to speculative Freemasonry took place, as one of the greatest changes that has taken place in the history of Freemasonry so far, followed by constructive dialogue and a systematic approach.

Although there have been operational Masonic lodges in the British Island since the 13th century, only four London lodges met and announced the founding of the first Grand Lodge of England on St. John the Baptist, June 24, 1717, in London.

Let us look briefly at the systematic and constructive approach and constructive dialogue that preceded the adoption of the Book of the Constitution.

• January 17, 1723 Grand Warden Anderson publishes The Constitutions of the Free-Masons, which consists of three parts: 1. History of Freemasonry, 2. Duties and 3. Regulations.

Digital Freemasonry is a new direction

By carefully observing and analyzing the history of freemasonry, we can very clearly see which key elements preceded and influenced the first, and to a good extent the second great transformation from speculative to digital form:

1. The first reason is definitely that Freemasonry lost strength, influence, and especially the number of members before the transformation itself. Some historical authors state about that period, that Freemasonry at that time “fell to its lowest branches”. Also, the declining trend of membership at the world level in the last decades is more than obvious.

2. The second key reason is that “new masters were coming and a different way of building, with more modern technology”. Even the need for intensive restoration of London, after the great fire of 1661, failed to restore the old strength and glory to the masons’ guild.

3. As a third reason, it can be emphasized that it began to be noticed that the society of freemasons cannot be maintained only on members who are accepted from the operational ranks, but that it is necessary to accept laymen as full members. Today, we cannot ignore the digital generation and bring Masonry closer to them in a “digital” way that is acceptable and understandable to them.

4. A number of irregularities were observed in the files and in the disordered basic documents. It was necessary to make a complete revision of them, in order to shape the illogicalities and irregularities that appeared and “crept in” over time into the fundamental acts of Freemasonry, which was done through the adopted and approved “Book of the Constitution” from 1723.

If we know that one fact is indisputable in the history of Freemasonry, and that is the first great transformation, that is, the transformation from an operative to a speculative form, then we now also know that another fact is also indisputable, and that is that the second great transformation took place, that is – ITS TRANSFORMATION FROM SPECULATIVE TO DIGITAL FORM.

To further clarify this point I will use a quote from the Constitution adopted on October 22, 1775 at the General Assembly held in Brezovica, near Zagreb, Croatia, in the castle of Count Ivan Drašković, when the reformed Masonic system Libertas was founded, originally named “Latomia Libertatis sub corona Hungariae in Provinciam redakta” (Reformed Freemasonry of the province of Freedom, known to the wider Freemasonry community as “Drašković’s Observation”):

It is decentralized in its way of organization, which completely distinguishes and separates it from the previous two forms. This further means that there is no central leadership, but decisions are made by the Official Digital Freemasonry Community (hereinafter: ODFC) that has gathered around this Declaration and a certain set of rules governed by special Regulations. The Regulations are issued by ODFC and / or LIBERTAS 5775 LLC depending on the competencies, which are defined in the following text of this Declaration in the section “Regularity and digital tools”. For the purpose of clarity and understanding, Speculative and Digital forms of Freemasonry work parallel one 

to another, shoulder to shoulder, but each with its own unique characteristics. These two forms don’t necessarily exclude one another; rather, they intertwine and coexist with the same higher goals, and that is the construction of man and the human race to humanity with faith in The Great Architect of the Universe.” 

You can read the full text of the Declaration at the following link: https://declaration.digitalfreemasonry.com

PROGRAM OF THE FIRST DAY OF THE SUMMIT

(Saturday, 18.03.6023 A.L.)

Topic: “Speculative Freemasonry in the Digital Era”

LECTURERS:

• Bro. NICHOLAS BROADWAY – (Essex, United Kingdom) – Stonewell Lodge No. 9137, United Grand Lodges of England (UGLE)
• Bro. ANGELO MISTRETTA – (Palermo, Italy) – Lodge Keter 1488, Grand Orient of Italy (GOI)
• Bro. MICHEL PICANDET – (Nice, France) – Grand Maître Mondial Souverain Sanctuaire International des Marches de Burgondi
• Bro. MATTEO NUGNES – (Bucharest, Romania) From “Aether Lodge”
• Bro. XHELIL BAJRAMI – (Tirana, Albania) From “Old Charges Lodge”
• Bro. CREAGH WARREN – (London, United Kingdom) – Grecian Lodge No. 3718 United Grand Lodges of England (UGLE)
• Bro. S. LJ. – (Belgrade, Serbia) – Past Grand Master, The Grand Sovereign Lodge of Dacia – Serbia
• Bro. “SEBASTIAN” – (Zagreb, Croatia) – Grand Master, Grand Regular Lodge “King Dmitri Zvonimir”