First Councils of Royal and Select Masters founded in Serbia

Novembar 2nd,  2014, Beograd – 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. Nas of three new Councils are Jerusalem, Zarubabbel, and Alpha.

The First Annual Session of the GCS

Novembar 1st, 2014, Beograd – 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.

GCRAMS Grand Officers Elected and Installed

Novembar 1st,  2014, Belgrade – After decision by the Companions of the three Chapters  - King Solomon No. 64, Keystone No.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), 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.

Chapters King Solomon, Keystone, and Harmony received their Charters

Novembar 1st, 2014, Belgrade – 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.

Ivan Sariev is the Grand Master of the unified Freemasonry in Bulgaria

Thursday, 27 August 2015 - Sofia, Bulgaria. This summer took place the unification of Freemasonry in Bulgaria after 15 years of divisions and negotiations. On June 20, 2015, over 1,300 Brethren and 44 Lodges of the Grand Lodge of Bulgaria merged with the United Grand Lodge of Bulgaria. Ivan Sariev is the undisputed leader of the Bulgarian Freemasonry as a result of the unification process. The unification ceremony held in Sofia (Hotel Marinella, 11.00 o'clock) was attended by Grand Masters and delegations from Germany, Austria, Russia, Italy, France, Spain, Turkey, Switzerland and the United States of America.

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)

Queen Silvia offered the scholarships of the Masonic Foundation of Sweden

Stockholm, Sweden. - Queen Silvia of Sweden handed the 35 scholarships offered annually by the Masonic Foundation Stiftelsen Frimurare Barnhusets. Queen of Sweden was greeted by the President of the Foundation, Carl-Gustaf Piehl, and the event was held at the Bååtska Palace.
(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)

Conference of Grand Secretaries and Chancellors of Europe

Friday, October 10th, 2014  London, United Kingdom. - From 10 to 11 October 2014, the United Grand Lodge of England is hosting the 25th Conference of Grand Secretaries and Chancellors of Europe. The last meeting took place last year in Rome, hosted by the Grand Orient of Italy.
(Source: http://masonicpressagency.blogspot.com)

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)