ALMANAC
OF THE UNITED GRAND LODGES OF SERBIA
For 2014 /2015 has been released

November 26th 2014, Belgrade - Envisioned as the annual publication, Almanac contains an overview of the history of Freemasonry in Serbia, history of the UGLS, as well as the summary of the work, activities, and achievements of the UGLS in the past few years. This publication is intended to be presented to all new members of the UGLS, as well as to the foreign guests and friends.

“In past few years, we have achieved a lot, and can be proud with our achievements. However, this is not the end of the road. Our work is never finished. But I am convinced that by the application of the ancient tenets and principles of Freemasonry, and by the hard work in the Lodges, we will in the coming years achieve even more and have a reason to be even prouder.” – said the Editor of this publication and the Past Grand Master of the UGLS, Bro. Vladimir S. Markovic.

The material presented in the Almanac is just a small portion of manifold contributions of the members of the UGLS, not only to their own advancement, but to the advancement of their families,  of the UGLS, and of the whole Serbian society.

FREEMASONRY
IN CANADA
The main theme of the December Issue of Builder

December 15th 2014, Belgrade – Issue No.17 of the Magazine Builder has been just released. The Builder is the official quarterly publication of the United Grand Lodges of Serbia, and is published every three months since December 2010. The main theme of the December issue is Freemasonry in Canada.

Besides this series of articles on various aspects of Freemasonry in Canada, readers can find papers written by the members of the UGLS on different masonic subjects, read the Official Message of the Grand Master of the UGLS, find latest news from the Masonic world, learn about new books on the subject of Freemasonry, read about UGLS charity activities, as well as regular column on the men’s health.

Magazin Builder is A4 size, in full color on 80 pages, and is distributed to all members of the UGLS, as well as to the Masonic libraries worldwide.

The First Annual Session of the
GRAND CHAPTER R.A.M. OF SERBIA

Novembar 1st, 2014, Beograd – Three Royal Arch Chapters – King Solomon No. 64, KeystoneNo.65, and Harmony No.66, working in Belgrade, Serbia, under the protection of the Prince Hall Grand Chapter of Holy Royal Arch Masons of the State of South Carolina (US),  after a year working under dispensation, have received their Charters. At the joint meeting of three Chapters attended by the Most Excellent Samuel Davis, Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of South Carolina, and a number of Grand Officers, it was decided that these three Chapters form a new Grand Chapter under the name Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Serbia, thereby changing their numbers to King Solomon No. 1, Keystone No. 2, and Harmony No. 3.

After decision by the Companions of the three Chapters  to form Grand Chapter of Royal arch Masons of Serbia, the first Grand Officers of the new Grand Chapter were elected and installed. ME Comp. Vladimir S. Markovic was elected and installed as the first Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter.

After the election and installation of the Grand Officers of the new Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Serbia, the First Annual Session of the Grand Chapter was held in Belgrade during which the Constitutions and By-Laws of the Grand Chapter were voted upon and accepted. Also, Grand High Priest of the Prince Hall Grand Chapter of Holy Royal Arch Masons of the State of South Carolina, ME Samuel Davis and other fourteen Companions from the Grand Chapter of South Carolina received Certificates of Honorary Membership in the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Serbia.

CRYPTIC DEGREES
The first Councils of Royal and Select Masters started their work in Serbia

November 2nd 2014, Belgrade - On the initiative by the members of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Serbia, and in order to enable them to continue their road in York Rite Masonry, a group of Companions from the Prince Hall Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters, led by Right Grand Trice Iliustrious Comp. Kenneth M. Barkley, visited Belgrade and organized degree work of the three cryptic degrees for the qualified Royal Arch Masons from the Grand Chapter of Serbia, after which three Councils of Royal and Select Masters were formed in Belgrade for the work under dispensation. Names of three new Councils are Jerusalem, Zarubabbel, and Alpha.

HRH THE DUKE OF KENT
was nominated as Grand Master of the UGLE

December 11th 2014, London, United Kingdom. - HRH The Duke of Kent, Most Worshipful Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, has been nominated as Grand Master for the ensuing year at the helm of UGLE. Yesterday was held the last Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge for this year and, in accordance with the decisions taken, it was communicated the following:
•HRH The Duke of Kent was nominated as Grand Master for the ensuing year,
•It will be established the second office of Assistant Grand Chancellor,
•There were chartered 4 new Lodges, their number reaching 9902,
•A new Grand Lodge was recognized,
•The next Quarterly Communication will take place on 11 March 2015.

England, Scotland, and Ireland
at the Grand Communication of the GLNF

December 7th 2014, Paris, France. -  GLNF's status on the Masonic world scene is clear, and this was visibly noted at the Annual Communication of the French National Grand Lodge held in Paris. GLNF, the second largest Masonic force in France (according with the number of Freemasons) conducted this Saturday (December 6th) the Annual Communication which was attended by 47 Grand Lodges, alongside the United Grand Lodge of England, the Grand Lodge of Scotland and the Grand Lodge of Ireland.

The event was attended by representatives of the Grand Lodges of Brazil, Albania, Slovakia, Ghana, Montenegro, Cyprus, Macedonia, Mauritius, Niger, Armenia, Cameroon, Djibouti, Congo, Andorra, Morocco, Moldova, Guinea, Croatia, Burkina Faso, Madagascar Russia, Benin, Bulgaria, Togo, China (Taipei), Israel, Poland, Portugal, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Spain, Czech Republic, Serbia, Turkey, Hungary, Canada, United States, Italy and Romania (which was represented by Grand Master Radu Balanescu, Executive Secretary of the World Conference of Grand Lodges).

The representatives of the British Grand Lodges (Grand Master of Scotland, Grand Master of Ireland and Pro Grand Master of England) were cheered at open stage. Grand Master Jean Pierre Servel received from the Duke of Kent the Gold Medal of the United Grand Lodge of England.

Júlio Meirinhos
is the new Grand Master of Portugal

Lisbon, Portugal. - Júlio Meirinhos, lawyer and politician, became the new leader of the Portuguese Freemasonry. Born in 1954 in Spain (son of Portuguese immigrants), Meirinhos was twice Deputy of Portugal, as member of the Socialist Party.

He was initiated into Porto do Graal Lodge #2, in 1992. He also was Worshipful Master of two Masonic Lodges, Assistant Grand Master for several GLLP's Grand Masters, Deputy Grand Master and Representative of many Grand Lodges. He is a member of the Mark Master Masons, Royal Arch, the Rite Adonhiramita and he is also a 32°AASR Freemason.

Meirinhos is the successor to Grand Master José Francisco Moreno (2010-2014), defeating in this summer's elections his opponent, the architect José Pereira da Silva.
(Source: http://masonicpressagency.blogspot.com)

Grand Lodges
of Massachusetts, Iowa and the Czech Republic have recognized GLNF

Paris, France. The French National Grand Lodge resumed its Masonic relations with the Grand Lodges of the Czech Republic, Iowa and Massachusetts. The positive trends within GLNF made ​​the Grand Lodge of the Czech Republic, on September 18, 2014, to decide whether to grant or not the recognition which was originally suspended. This Grand Lodge re-recognized GLNF. Also, the Grand Lodge of Iowa has adopted the same decision on September 19, 2014, at the Annual Communication. The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts (one of the most important in the United States) took the same decision on September 10, 2014. (Source: http://masonicpressagency.blogspot.com)

Michelle Bachelet
visited and gave a speech to the Grand Lodge of Chile

Monday, November 3rd, 2014, Santiago, Chile. - President of Chile, Ms. Michelle Bachelet visited the Grand Lodge of Chile. This is the first time in the history of this country when a President makes an official visit and talks in front of the Grand Lodge of Masons. At the time of her entry into the Grand Temple, Bachelet was cheered by over 650 Freemasons and guests present. Bachelet's father was a Freemason, as was her maternal grandfather.

Chilean Presidency informed that Mrs. President attended the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Chile to provide to the national freemasonry a recognition for its contribution to education, freedom, State and public policies. The Most Worshipful Grand Master of Chile said: "We feel particularly proud because, you, Madam President, you are always considered a person close to our institution." More information about this event and a detailed analysis of the significance of this historic meeting you can read in the editorial that will appear on Masonic Times. (Source: http://masonicpressagency.blogspot.com)