Boettjer.txt     P 23     Freedoms Flame

                Dr. John W. Boettjer
                       32, KCCH
                 1733 Sixteenth Street, NW
                   Washington, D.C. 20009

There is no doubt about it.
The Scottish Rite for Iran in-exile is small.
Its members presently number only seventy-
six. They are scattered across America, Canada,
and Europe. Yet this Scottish Rite, as limited 
and widespread as it is, deserves our atten-
tionand admiration.
Its members carry a fierce dedication to free-
dom. They follow an esoteric tradition of im-
pressive dimensions. They set an example of 
selfless cooperation worthy of emulation. They 
are increasing in number despite distances, de-
spite hardships, and despite the seething condi-
tions of their beloved homeland.
These were my conclusions after (1) study-
ing a history of Freemasonry and the Scottish 
by Ill Alaeddin Rouhani, 33, Grand Minister
of State of The Supreme Council for Iran in-exile
(2) discussing with Ill David Kruger, 33, SG
IG in Virginia and the repre-
sentative of our Supreme Council
to The Supreme Council for Iran
in-exile, his visitations with this
Supreme Council and, finally (3)
visiting recently with Ill Parviz
Yeganegi, 33, Sovereign Grand
Commander of The Supreme
Council for Iran in-exile, in his
home in Vancouver, British Co-
lumbia, Canada.
These three experiences have
convinced me that these strug-
gling, brave fellow Scottish Rite
Masons are truly keepers of the
flame of freedom, men so deeply
committed to liberty by the harsh
circumstances of modern history
that they set an example all Brethren would do
well to follow.

HISTORY OF MASONRY
IN IRAN BEFORE THE
REVOLUTION OF 1979

   In 1808 Askar Khan Oroumi,
the Iranian Ambassador Extraor-
dinary to France during the reign
of Napoleon Bonaparte was the
first Iranian national to ever be
admitted to the Craft. Other Ira-
nians traveling in Europe, mainly
France and England, later joined
various Masonic Lodges in these
countries and, upon their return
to Iran, attempted to establish
Freemasonry in their homeland.
   The first Masonic Lodge was established in Tehran,
capital of Iran, in 1858, and many Iranian notables,
including nobles of the court and religious leaders,
joined the Craft. Just four years later, however, a
pattern began that was to repeat itself throughout
Iranian historysuppression of the Craft and per-
secution of the Brethren. In 1907, under a more
discerning monarch, Freemasonry was reborn in Iran when
the Grand Lodge of France chartered Bidary (meaning
Enlightenment) Lodge in Tehran. After a brief
year-long bloom, it, too, was closed by the
government.These acts did not, however, mean that
Freemasonry ceased to exist. Brothers guarded their
membership and covertly worked for social progress. In
fact, a significant number of the men who collabo-
rated to create the Iranian Parliamentary Constitution
of 1906, one of Iran's most progressive laws, were
Brothers.

  From 1925 to 1941, Masonic activities by Iranians
were prohibited. Foreign residents, however, were
permitted to create and maintain Roshannai (meaning
Illuminant) Lodge in Tehran. Finally, in 1951, Homayoun
Lodge was established with official permission under a
charter from the Grand Lodge of Egypt, but it was
declared "irregular" by the world Masonic Bodies and
ceased to exist. In 1955 the first regular Lodge,
Mowlavy, named after an Iranian mystic poet, was char-
tered by the Grande Loge Nationale Francaise, first in
Paris and then in Tehran.

  From this date to March 1, 1969, when the Grand Lodge
of Iran was founded, twelve Lodges were chartered by
the Grand Lodge of France, two working in foreign
languages, Avicenna Lodge in English and La France
Lodge in French. Similarly, twelve Lodges chartered by
the Grand Lodge of Scotland came into existence in Iran
from 1958 to 1969, as well as three chartered by the
Grand Lodge of Germany.
 
In 1969, with the inception of a sovereign Grand Lodge,
all existing regular Iranian Lodges joined the Grand
Lodge of Iran. While exact numbers cannot be
assembled, by 1979 there were forty-three Lodges in
Iran with approximately 2,500 members.

THE 1979 REVOLUTION

 As a consequence of the revolution of 1979, a
theocratic government prevailed, and all Masonic
activities ceased in Iran. Many Brethren, preferring
freedom to totalitarian rule, emigrated to Europe,
Canada, and the United States. In America in late 1982,
responding to the written requests of the seventeen
Past Masters of Iranian Lodges, steps were taken to
reactivate the Grand Lodge of Iran, and this was
accomplished on December 22, 1982, in New York City
under the guidance of the then Grand Master, but one
year later, because of the Grand Master's failing
health, Brof Hossein Daftarian was elected Grand
Master.

   By approval of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts
granted on March 26, 1985, the Grand Lodge for Iran
in-exile was given permission to conduct activities
within the city of Boston, to receive all of Iranian
nationality, and to conduct its affairs according to
the ancient usages and customs of Freemasonry in Iran.
Since April 1, 1985, three Craft Lodges (Mowlavy No. 2,
Hafez No. 8, and Hatef No. 33) have met regularly in
the Temple of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in
Boston.

HISTORY OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL FOR IRAN

   In 1965, fourteen Master Masons of Subordinate
Symbolic (Blue) Lodges of the Grand Lodge of France
requested and received permission from The Supreme
Council for France to establish a Valley in Iran. From
that date to 1967 the Fourth to Thirty-third Degrees
were Conferred and Illf Dr. Mahmoud Houman, 33, was
appointed Deputy for The Supreme Council for France in
the Valley of Iran. With the inception of the Grand
Lodge of Iran on March 1, 1969, continuation of the
Scottish Rite in Iran as part of The Supreme Council
for France was no longer feasible.

        On April 30, 1970, The Supreme Council for Iran
was formally founded and consecrated via a Patent from
The Supreme Council of France along with the
participation of The Supreme Councils of Belgium and
The Netherlands, and recognition by The Supreme
Councils of the Northern and Southern Masonic
Jurisdictions of the United States of America. The late
Illf Dr. Mahmoud Houman, 33, was installed as Iran's
first Sovereign Grand Commander and reigned until his
death on October 31, 1980.

    Significantly, this decade is called the "splendid
period" in the history of the Iranian Supreme Council
since Illf Houman accomplished so much for the Rite in
Iran. Often equated by Iranian Brethren to the Southern
Jurisdiction's own Albert Pike, Illf Houman created or
rewrote existing Rituals, in his case giving them
specifically Iranian additions regarding symbolism
and philosophy. Also, during Illf Houman's outstanding
tenure of office, four Lodges of Perfection, two
Chapters, one Sanctuary, one Aeropage, one Tribunal,
and one Consistory were established to confer the De-
grees from Fourth through the Thirtysecond with The
Supreme Council of Iran itself conferring the
Thirty-third Degree. In addition, a Temple was
constructed in Tehran, a library established, and
twenty Supreme Councils gave their recognition.

AN INTELLECTUAL TRADITION

    At this time, due to the overwhelming and
beneficial influence of Sovereign Grand Commander
Houman, an important esoteric tradition was
established. All aspirants for the Scottish Rite
Degrees were and still are required to make an in-depth
study of the Scottish Rite, especially its esoteric
concepts, before advancement is possible. As a
condition to taking a higher Degree, the Brother must
prepare an "Architectural Work," a written study of the
previous Degree explicating its significance and
explaining the impression it has made on his life. This
treatise must then be presented and defended before the
assembled Brethren prior to participating in the Ritual
of the next Degree.

  After experiencing the subsequent Degree, the
aspirant, at the festive board following each Con-
ferral, must then express his impression of the Ritual.
This is evaluated by the Brethren and, finally, the
Orator passes judgment on the Brother's overall work.
Only after he has passed this proficiency
accomplishment of full inherence to the significance
of the specific Masonic work involved, is he
officially granted his his new Degree,  title, and
privileges.

  Also, participating Brethren of higher  Degrees
must pay close attention to the aspirant's
presentation, for they, at random, are often called on
to comment on the proceedings. This custom, like the
candidate's explication of the Degree, keeps the
Brethren enlightened and actively involved in a growing
understanding of the Rite's rich historical heritage
and philosophical depth.

            Thus the present Supreme Council for Iran
in-exile sees itself as a winnowing ground where, by
being selective and offering challenge, it finds
quality candidates who are truly worthy and able to
maintain the Rite's highest esoteric and moral
criteria. Given this strict adherence to standards of
quality, not quantity, the Rite's 25 percent membership
increase in the last two years, from 51 to 76, is very
significant despite the relatively small numbers
involved. An additional fact of interest and
significance is that nearly all new members are
relatively young, in their early 30's.

   In consideration of the Council's dedication and
progress, it is no wonder, then, that on July 3, 1988,
The Supreme Council for Iran was officially reactivated
in exile and received a Patent from Sovf Grf Commander
Francis G. Paul, 33,  as   issued  by The Supreme
Council, 33, of the Northern   Masonic  Jurisdic-
tion. Recognition by the Southern  Jurisdiction
quickly  followed.  Additionally, on May 1, 1989,
both the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction and the Southern
Jurisdiction approved a dual membership arrangement
allowing Iranian Brethren who had received the
Thirty-second Degree in the United States to "be
allowed to affiliate with The Supreme Council for Iran
in-exile as Fourteenth Degree members, having to
experience the higher Degrees of Iranian Bodies in
order to be recognized by those Bodies and their
Supreme Council as possessing such higher rank."

THE FUTURE

   Ill Parviz Yeganegi, Sovf Grf Cmdrf of The Supreme
Council for Iran in-exile, speaks cautiously, but with
determination, about the future. Of his personal
expatriation and that of his Brethren, he notes: "The
prevailing circumstances expatriated us from our
homeland. The return of an individual's rights there
will bring us back. If there is one thing our Brothers
in America must understand," he stresses, "it is that
what they see on television is not all of Iran. The
camera's lens is narrow and it seeks excitement. The
people you see shouting and shaking their fists are not
representatives of all Iranian citizens. A very large
number of my countrymen, in fact a silent majority, are
for freedom and certainly are not anti-American. My
homeland is now controlled by a small elite that
manipulates the people.

   "Unfortunately, they have indoctrinated a genera-
tion, as every violent revolution does. In time this
generation will feel that the bonds of tyranny are
burdensome even when self-imposed. They will recall the
traditions of tolerance as they have existed in earlier
periods of Iranian history. They will move toward
liberty. Someday Iran will be free. It may not be in my
lifetime and perhaps not in the lifetime of my two sons
and daughter. But it will come. Their children and
grandchildren will return as free citizens to a free
Iran. I am convinced of thisand the sooner the better.

   "Until then, our purpose as Brothers in the Craft
and  as Scottish  Rite  Freemasons  is to  guard
andpreserve the flame of freedom. The Iranian Blue
Lodges and Iranian Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite
in-exile are independent and sovereign, but we are
one in our desire to improve ourselves in Masonry and
to sustain our ideals of liberty until the day Iran is
free again, at which time we can go back and have a
profound share in restitution of Iran on the cardinal
ideals of FreemasonryLiberty, Justice, and Tolerance.

   "I am proud to have been given the privilege of
leadership in this endeavor. However, during my
five-year term, 1988-1993, as Sovereign Grand
Commander, my profound pride is in my Brethren. Even
the material pertaining to Iranian Masonry, the basis
for this article, was not composed by one Brother, but
by four.

   We work together. Our strength is in our mutual
goal, our cooperation, and our unity. Through
Freemasonry, we increase our numbers, sharpen our
minds, and enhance our dedication to liberty for all
the world's countries and especially Iran.

   "Freedom and Freemasonry, to us they are one and
eternal."  

   A former professor at The George Washington
University, The Virginia Military Institute, and
Michigan State University, Brof Boettjer is a member of
Cypress Lodge No. 295, Naples, Florida; the Scottish
Rite Bodies of Alexandria, Virginia; and Kena Shrine
Temple, Fairfax, Virginia.
