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The official date of the birth of Freemasonry is June 24, 1717, in England (Grand Lodge of London). The main reason for the establishment of this cultural and educational organization lies in the sense of responsibility that animated a group of people in the face of the tasks that a nation on its way to becoming a world power had to undertake. A question arose among those who perceived the great potential of a great nation: what values, what ideals should be proposed to those called to occupy positions of responsibility in all sectors of human life? The problem that the first Freemasons posed might seem abstract and ineffective. But it was not so, because their intent was universalistic, involving people from all Western states willing to contribute. The development of Freemasonry was not linear; from the beginning, there were conflicts and divisions, until in 1815, the two main obediences agreed to create the new organization of the United Grand Lodge of England, the Mother Grand Lodge of the World.

Before 1730, a "three-degree" system began to emerge in Freemasonry, which soon became the standard system in lodges in England, Ireland, and Scotland. It is believed that this was achieved by adapting and expanding the previous "two-degree" system, especially through the elaboration of the legend of Hiram and its complete account at the transition to the third degree, that of Master Mason. The appearance, in the 1740s, of "chivalric" degrees on the continent may have been linked to the deliberate "ennobling" of Freemasonry through the speech delivered in 1737 by Chevalier Ramsay.

During the same period, the Royal Arch was formed, developing the theme of Hiram with the rediscovery of the secrets lost with the death of the Master Builder. The Premier Grand Lodge of England (the Moderns) did not adopt a clear position on the new rite, perhaps because a secret password of their own third degree had been discovered. Supporters of the new rite among the Moderns formed their Grand Chapter, probably in 1765. There is evidence that the official date, 1767, was changed to avoid embarrassing Lord Blayney, who had been Grand Master of the Moderns until shortly before. The first lodge to join the formation of the Grand Chapter was the Lodge of Caledonia, a lodge of Scottish Masons who had just switched from the Moderns to the Ancients, and among whose members was William Preston.

In 1751, as more and more independent lodges abandoned the Moderns, some lodges (mainly Irish) in London formed the Antient Grand Lodge of England (the Ancients), which soon became a sort of federation for independent lodges in England. Their second secretary, Laurence Dermott, considered the Royal Arch as the fourth degree. When the two Grand Lodges merged in 1813, Article 2 of the Articles of Union recognized that "pure Antient Masonry consisted of three Degrees and no more, namely, that of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch." The Grand Chapter remained, but from that point onwards, other degrees had to be managed by autonomous Masonic bodies.

Between 1740 and 1813, numerous Masonic rites, orders, and degrees emerged. These new rituals expanded the scope of Freemasonry by including many elaborations, some of which encompassed elements previously practiced in the "craft." Many rites proved ephemeral and fell into oblivion (some are known only through written notes, without proof that they were ever practiced), while others were more enduring and survived.

The Grand Lodge of Jerusalem was founded in 1966, established with a charter from the Grand Lodge of England. It was a group of Freemasons, composed of both Irish and Maltese members, as well as English and Sicilian members, all residing in Malta.

History

Founded on February 20, 1966, in Malta by the English Grand Master Lord James Hamilton and Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc.

On October 17, 1968, the San Giorgio Lodge was taken over by the Jerusalem Lodge in Malta. Since then, the Jerusalem Lodge has seen a steady increase in new members. By 1972, there were 1860 members, including brothers from all over the world.

From 1972, the Grand Master and Louis Gale facilitated connections with other lodges around the world, such as the lodge in Washington. This created an immense brotherhood.

Adrian Busietta (Maltese) was appointed Grand Master.

Until 1990, his fruitful work led to the opening of new lodges under the Grand Lodge of Jerusalem, including a lodge in Malaga, Spain, with the same name as the Jerusalem Lodge. The Grand Master was Giulio Rosi, who, with the help of two of his collaborators, brought the lodge to excellent levels.

From 1991 to 2000, three Grand Masters alternated: Nicola Benvenuto, the Englishman John James, and then the Maltese Antony Bartolo.

From 2000 to 2005, Joseph Zammit was appointed Grand Master, and under his authority, other lodges were created: the Goldenroof Lodge 39 in Innsbruck, electing Salvatore Grasso as Master, who was already a member of the Jerusalem Lodges. The other lodge was the Gabriel 48 lodge east of Rome.

After the resignation of Grand Master Joseph Zammit, Louis Camilleri, a man of great wisdom and global culture, was appointed Grand Master.

Today, the Venerable Grand Master is Joseph Zammit.

Founders

Grand Lodge of Jerusalem No. 1966 - Grand Master: Lord James Hamilton - Master: Emmanuel Rohan-Polduc - Master: Luigi Scerri Ferrante - Master: Giovanni Garozzo - Master: Carmelo Costanzo - Master: Peter Zammit

Grand Masters

(updated as of January 4, 2024) - Grand Master ad Honorem: Norman Hamilton - Grand Minister of State: Psaila Antony - Sovereign Grand Commentator: Zammit Joseph - Grand Master: Antony Bartolo - Grand Master Ambassador: Garozzo Venerando

Affiliate Lodges

(updated as of January 4, 2024)

- Lodge of St. Paul - 37 

 - Master: Mario Gauci

- Lodge of GoldenRoof - 39 

 - Master: Salvatore Grasso

- Lodge of Sant'Antonio 

 - Master: Sebastian Suarez Funes

- Lodge Sydney Order of St. John of Jerusalem 

 - Master: Giovanni Raciti

- Lodge of Medina - 43 

 - Grand Master: Antony Bartolo

- Lodge Campo dè Fiori - 67 

 - Master: Ernesto Bruziches

- Lodge San Gabriel - 46 

 - Master: Carmelo Barbagallo

Responsible for Affiliate Lodges:

- Itinerant Ambassador: Patrick Gauci

Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree

The Supreme Council is the highest governing body of the Institution, that is, "the highest authority of the Rite," to which specific Regulations grant "exclusive ritual, legislative, administrative, judicial, and disciplinary powers," as well as the prerogative of being the custodian of the "initiatory heritage gathered by the founders."

It is composed of Honorary, Active, and Associate Members.

The Active Members of the Supreme Council cannot be fewer than nine nor more than thirty-three.

At the top of the Supreme Council is the Sovereign Grand Commander Joseph Zammit. The Grand Lodges of the Mediterranean

The Grand Lodges of the Mediterranean, abbreviated as GLM, are a collective, a de facto Masonic association, regulated by a statute that defines the relationships between founding members, affiliates, and adherents, as well as the modes of operation.

GLM is based on the aggregation of adhering Grand Lodges through interactive and open reflections and works, in order to promote the principles and values of Freemasonry of Latin and Mediterranean origin, with influences from Europe, the East, and Africa, in various instances, respecting the rules of the UGLE (United Grand Lodge of England). The goal of the GLM is to serve as a tool for consultation and comparison across the Mediterranean, encompassing Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. The Mediterranean, as a crossroads of three continents, represents the challenges that countries and Freemasonry must face in the 21st century. The GLM allow the creation of an international fraternal network, also serving as an incubator for young obediences, enabling their emergence, helping them to establish and structure themselves, thanks to an exchange agreement extended to partner organizations, the council, and the benefit of patents in various rites, of which each GL remains the owner, and the possibility of participating in higher degrees.

The GLM gradually constitute a database that allows identifying the most interesting themes and works of the Grand Lodges related to their object.

The Treaty was Ratified in Grasse (France) on October 14, 6023.

The three Founding Grand Lodges are: - Grand Lodge of Jerusalem - Grande Loge de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée - Grande Loge des Maçons Libres Treaties of Friendship

- Lodge Medina - Malta 

 - Signed on November 10, 1986
 - Grand Master Antonio Bartolo

- Lodge GoldenRoof - Innsbruck (Austria) 

 - Signed on January 3, 2018
 - Grand Master Salvatore Grasso

- Grand Lodge St. Paul - Malta 

 - Signed on January 6, 2019
 - Grand Master Mario Gauci

- Grande Oriente Independente de São Paulo - GOISP (Brazil) 

 - Signed on May 13, 2020, in São Paulo (Brazil)
 - Ser.: Gr.: M.: José Ronaldo Gonçalves

- Lodge San Anton - Marbella, Spain 

 - Signed on September 4, 2020
 - Grand Master Sebastián Suárez

- Grande Loge des Maçons Libres (Foulcrey – France) 

 - Signed on November 19, 2022
 - Grand Master Jean-Pierre Schwentzer

- Certificate of recognition as an Honorary Member of the Supreme Council 33rd Degree of the lodge of Romania "Al Marelui Orient al Artei Regale" 

 - Signed on September 5, 2023
 - Grand Master Sorin Calin Cojan

References

The official date of the establishment of Freemasonry is indeed June 24, 1717, marked by the formation of the Grand Lodge of London and Westminster (later the United Grand Lodge of England) at the Goose and Gridiron Tavern in St. Paul's Churchyard, London. This event brought together four existing lodges and elected Anthony Sayer as the first Grand Master. This formation is considered the beginning of organized Freemasonry, establishing a governing body for the fraternity. https://www.ugle.org.uk/discover-freemasonry/history-freemasonry

The development of Freemasonry into a structured organization involved various stages and adaptations. Initially, Freemasonry had a two-degree system, but by 1730, a three-degree system became standard, incorporating the legend of Hiram Abiff and expanding the role of Master Mason. The emergence of "chivalric" degrees in the 1740s and the formation of the Royal Arch further evolved the ritualistic and organizational complexity of Freemasonry. https://www.ugle.org.uk/discover-freemasonry/history-freemasonry

Conflicts and divisions were common in Freemasonry's history. The "Ancients" and the "Moderns" were two rival Grand Lodges that eventually merged in 1813 to form the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), which formalized many of the Masonic practices and degrees recognized today.

Freemasonry continued to spread globally, and various lodges and Grand Lodges were established. For example, the Grand Lodge of Jerusalem was founded in Malta on February 20, 1966, by English Grand Master Lord James Hamilton and Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc, furthering the global reach of Freemasonry. https://www.londonmasons.org.uk/history-of-london-freemasonry

If you need more detailed information or further verification, you can refer to the United Grand Lodge of England's official website or the comprehensive history available on Wikipedia and other reputable sources . https://www.ugle.org.uk/discover-freemasonry/history-freemasonry https://www.londonmasons.org.uk/history-of-london-freemasonry

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