Freemasonry in the Antiochian Church

THE WORD  JUNE, 24 1986

DIALOGUE

QUESTION: This question concerns the practice of Freemasonry (Masons, Shrine, Blue Lodge, Eastern Star, DeMolay, job's Daughters, etc.) among Orthodox Christians. It has been brought to my attention that Freemasonry goes against the canons of the Orthodox Church and is incompatible with the Church teachings.

ANSWER: All members of the Holy Orthodox Church must adhere to the doctrines, beliefs, and practices, and must conduct their lives accordingly. Some of these fundamental beliefs include: (1) the belief in the triune God, revealed to mankind as Father the Creator, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit of God, All Three, being united in one essence and undivided. Orthodoxy teaches that God the Father is the Creator of all things visible and invisible. Orthodoxy also teaches about the Incarnation of the Son of God, in whose Death and Resurrection, mankind is called to a new level of existence, achieve full brotherhood and to become incorporated in a spiritual fellowship, attained in the Church, in the name of Jesus and through the gifts and the power of the Holy Spirit.

As far as the practice of Freemasonry is concerned, I believe that the distinction must be made between Freemasonry, on the one hand, and Freemasons, on the other hand, especially, those Orthodox members who belong to various churches in many communities of almost all Orthodox jurisdictions. This distinction could clarify our vision and help us evaluate Freemasonry better, not as we want it to be, but as it really is. For many times we hear such statements as, "Freemasons are reformers of society"; or that, "for Freemasonry, Christianity is a simple social structure"; or that, "Freemasons deny the Godhead of Jesus", or to them, "Christ is simply a wise man, similar to men of antiquity, such as Plato, Socrates, or Pythagorus."

The Orthodox Church, throughout history, has vehemently rejected and anathematized all attempts to make Christ inferior to God the Father, or to reduce Him as being a creature, adopted by God for a certain mission. If a freemason sees in Christ just a 'simple wise man' then his faith must be in question, and his Church membership must be in question, too. On the other hand, the Orthodox believer must be open-minded and ready to know more about everything, including Freemasonry, without compromising his Christian beliefs his allegiance to Christ.

Is Freemasonry compatible with Church teachings? In answer to this question, let me give you, in a nutshell, so the basic statements taken from "Knight Templar", "The High Twelvian" and the "Scottish Rite Bulletin", and I will let you draw your own conclusions:

(1) "Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for a religion; it lacks the basic elements of religion."

(2) "There is no Masonic God; a Freemason remains committed to the God of the religion he professes.

(3) "Freemasonry doesn't dictate religious practices; it expects each member to practice his faith and to place his duty to God above all others.

Throughout the years of my ministry I have known many Masons who were good Christians.