I greet the brethren Free Masons and those who take an interest in Freemasonry. I am the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge. It is not so important what my name is — what is important is that such an office exists. It signifies progress in the establishment of Ukrainian Freemasonry, in the recognition of Ukraine as an equal member of the global Masonic community. In the world there are millions of Freemasons, but it is the Ukrainian particularity that interests us. As with other post-Soviet countries, Freemasonry came to us from the West. Free Masonry is not a sect; no one can proclaim himself a Brother on his own if he has not undergone the "canonical" ritual, and such a ritual can be performed only by "canonically" initiated brethren in a "canonically" constituted lodge...
At the beginning of the 1990s, various Masonic organizations turned their gaze toward Ukraine, including ones that do not recognize one another. For example, the Grand Orient of France and the Grand National Lodge of France. There also came the extraordinarily energetic de Bernardo from Italy and meticulous people from Austria. These are the ones about whom we know for certain. But there were others as well — both individual personalities and organizations.
In systemic matters (and Free Masonry is a systemic affair) chance occurrences are the exception. Thus, it is only natural that the most Masonic cities in Ukraine — Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Zaporizhzhia, Chernivtsi — became the place where Worshipful Lodges were established. In these cities live and work the overwhelming majority of the Brethren of all jurisdictions. The reasons lie in the traditions of the spiritual and intellectual culture of these landmark cities — which is why even now they have proved the most open to Freemasonry. But the work is spreading to other centers as well.
Freemasons are made of people who are seekers, those already at a certain level of self-improvement, those who have realized that on their own they cannot hew the stone of their spirit into ideal forms. This requires free choice. After all, daily routine gets in the way; much time goes to family and to earning money. At some moment in the middle of the night or before dawn a thought comes to you: "Another five years, ten, and then what? Why do I live?" From this thought begins the road to the doors of our temple. Among the seekers there are, a priori, free and restless natures — artists; there are also those whom in secular life are called influential people. But who are these influential people?
Energetic individuals, directed toward the attainment of a goal, active seekers who on their own strive for the means of achieving an aim. They work hard, they bring much to fruition, but they are also repeatedly disappointed. Gradually there comes an understanding of the imperfection of the world, or more precisely — of oneself within it, of the relations among people.
They seek answers to the eternal questions in philosophy, religion, science. And some come to us.
An Interview with the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ukraine
1. Was it difficult to take the step — to accept the proposal to lead the GLU?
This decision was not an easy one, because it was not a matter of a formal office, but of real responsibility. I was well aware of what awaited me — not status and not privileges, but daily labor, difficult decisions, the need to listen, to reconcile, to support, and at times — to take on challenging tasks.
At the same time, what was decisive was not my choice, but the choice of the Brethren. The Grand Master is an elected office, and I sincerely respect both support and criticism. The competition with another no less worthy candidate was a worthy one, and I am grateful to all: to those who nominated my candidacy, who voted for me, and to those who held a different opinion. For we are all part of one Order, and right now the most important thing is unity and joint work for the benefit of all the Brethren.
2. Where did you begin after the election?
One could say that I began with Wisdom — to listen, to study, to gather opinions, to learn. My goal was not to create something new, but to improve what had already been laid down by my predecessors. And practical steps began already at the Assembly — this, of course, included the swearing in of the new body of Grand Officers and the consecration of a new Worshipful Research Lodge. Next — the creation of an Editorial Board; this is already about Beauty — from the renewal of the website, the launch of a journal, and so on. Also the search for a place for a Temple in the capital; many practical steps have already been taken, with details to follow.
3. What prevails in the service of the Grand Master: the advantages or the disadvantages?
Service prevails — that is the greatest advantage. Yes, there is both a workload and difficult decisions, but all of this is offset by the understanding: each of your steps must be directed toward strengthening the fraternal chain.
4. Was there a temptation to start everything from scratch, or did you want to continue the work of your predecessors?
No, there was no temptation to start everything from scratch. In my program I immediately emphasized: the direction is known to us — it is the symbolic East and it does not require revision. Freemasonry in Ukraine has its own history, its own founders, its previous Grand Masters, and the task of the Grand Master is not to break, but to continue. In the Masonic tradition, the first Decree of a new Grand Master confirms the validity of the decisions of his predecessors. I, too, began precisely with this. This is about continuity and respect for what has already been done. Consistency and stability, in my view, are far more important than demonstrative changes. Everything that works must be preserved and developed. Only in this way is it possible to move forward.
5. In what way are we a worthy part of world Freemasonry, and where are we still learning?
We are worthy when it comes to sincerity, courage, sacrifice. Our Brethren at the front, our volunteer Brethren, our Brethren who conduct ritual labors 35 km from the front line — this is the highest dedication. At the same time, in the aspects of ritual discipline, the preparation of apprentices and, I beg your pardon, the material condition of the Worshipful Lodges — we are still on the way. But we are learning, we are working on the problems, we walk together, and this too is worthiness.
6. How does one keep the profane outside the Temple?
The profane does not disappear automatically — it must be rethought, transformed. Every Worshipful Lodge must be a space of purification and spiritual transformation. I do not tire of repeating: knowledge and awareness of the rituals, their clear and harmonious performance — this is not a formality, but an instrument for the purification of consciousness.
In the Temple we wear no masks, we do not defend titles or achievements from the profane world. Here we are equal before the Light. That is precisely why it is important to observe ritual silence, attentive listening, humility and sincerity. Mentorship, symbolic instruction, spiritual discipline — these are the paths by which the profane remains beyond the threshold, yielding its place to Truth.
7. A three-year term of election for the Grand Master of the GLU is both a lot and a little. What does one wish to focus on?
Among the priorities are several directions that are already being gradually realized. First, this is the idea of creating a Masonic Temple in Ukraine — a project that is not simple, but important both from a practical and a symbolic point of view.
Second — the development of the structure: the opening of new Worshipful Lodges in various cities, support for existing ones, the strengthening of unity among them, the strengthening of the Fraternal chain.
The third direction is knowledge. We plan the launch of educational programs, the development of materials for internal use, mentorship, and also — the arrangement of the archive of Ukrainian Freemasonry, in order to record and preserve our history.
There are many plans — and all of them are practical, directed toward strengthening the internal stability of the Order.
8. What is the attitude of foreign Brethren toward us?
The overwhelming majority of foreign Brethren regard Ukraine with respect, support and sincere admiration. We constantly convey information about our regular work even under extraordinarily difficult conditions. We have many new fraternal contacts, participation in the Assemblies of other countries, invitations to cooperation — and this is the result of our consistent labor. At the same time, attempts at calls for dialogue with representatives of the Freemasonry of the aggressor country are appearing. On this question our position is clear: no interaction whatsoever with associations that have not condemned the war. Freemasonry cannot stand outside of morality — and brotherhood cannot exist without truth. Our task is not only to represent ourselves worthily, but also to explain the position of the Grand Lodge of Ukraine, to defend it clearly, with sound argument and calmly. This is not confrontation, but self-respect. And all those who wish to cooperate with us must feel it.
9. What would you say to the Brethren in the rear, at the front, in Ukraine and beyond its borders?
Brethren! We are one, though divided by circumstances. May each of you remember: we are links of one Chain. May Love be your protection, Strength — your sword, and Beauty — your shield. We are Brethren. We are invincible.