
                    FREEMASONRY IN YUGOSLAVIA 
                            1764-1992 

                      Zoran D. Nenezic, 33 
                    Sovereign Grand Commander 
               Supreme Council, 33, of Yugoslavia 
              Ohridska 16, 1100 Belgrade, Yugoslavia 


   In the process of establishing the Grand Lodge of Yugoslavia, 
of very precious help were Brethren Z. Lemberger, 32, and D. 
Dzepina (both from Duseldorf, Germany), V. Pavlovic 33 
(Saarbrucken, Germany), B. Dzeletovic, 32 (Canada), M. Ilinchic, 
32 (Hannover, Germany), M. Genchic (Koln, Germany), V. Velchic 
(Munchen, Germany) and S. Ceran, 33 (Luxembourg). 

   Then the Conference of Grand Masters of Mason in North America 
(February 1991, San Diego, California) made the decision to 
recognize the Grand Lodge of Yugoslavia. For advancing this 
cause, all Yugoslav Freemasons are grateful to Ill C. Fred 
Kleinknecht, 33, Sov Gr Com of The Supreme Council, 33, of 
the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A.; Ill Douglas 
Lemons, 33, SGIG in California, and Brother Arnold Herman, 
32, KCCH, the personal representative SGC Kleinknecht in 
Eastern Europe. 

   As a symbolic token of gratitude, Yugoslav Brothers, on their 
Annual Assembly of the Grand Lodge of Yugoslavia held in June 28, 
1991, chose esteemed Brethren Kleinknecht and Lemons as Honorary 
Grand Masters and Brother Herman for the Honorary Grand Orator 
for their great contributions in strengthening and stability of 
the Masonic Order in Yugoslavia. 

   Four Lodges, consisting of approximately one hundred members, 
work under very difficult conditions. Renewed Masonic work is 
carried on in the country that is, after nearly fifty years of 
communist dictatorship, amply encumbered with dramatic events and 
growing nationalisms and clericalisms in all its federal units. 
These conditions finally brought about an absurd civil war, great 
suffering of the civil population, destruction, devastation and 
demolition of all civilizational contacts between the nations. 
The actual and current task of the Yugoslav Masons is work on the 
implementing and spreading of tolerance, humanism, freedom and 
democracy, human rights, new relationships, and a civilized way 
of living. 

   The spreading of the principles of regular Freemasonry, as a 
philosophic and symbolic movement, is the obligation of Masonic 
Brethren in Yugoslavia. Our enthusiasm, will, and perseverance 
are undisturbed though we meet in the apartments of Brothers, 
since all our Masonic Lodges and Temples were destroyed either by 
German bombings of Belgrade during the World War II of in the 
period of socialistic dictatorship. 

   The belief of all Yugoslavia Brethren in Masonry's mission of 
freedom, democracy, tolerance, and moral sense is very strong. 
This belief makes them zealous workers aware of the fact that 
only by patient dedication, the continuous chiselling of raw 
stone, can the construction of the Temple of humanism and 
humanity can be achieved. 

   The generous help we had and have from The Supreme Council, 
33, Mother Council of the World, Ancient and Accepted Scottish 
Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction of the USA and Ill C. 
Fred Kleinknecht, 33, is a great stimulus. The creation of the 
Supreme Council of the Scottish Rites of Yugoslavia, as the 
continuation of the Supreme Council of Serbia, was ceremoniously 
performed by Sov Gr Cmdr C. Fred Kleinknecht on November 23, 
1991, in Prague. This is only one of many confirmations of the 
Brotherly love and solidarity we had experienced from our 
American Brethren. 

   All that is the reason we believe we will obtain our dream, a 
modest Temple in Belgrade for the Grand Lodge and the Supreme 
Council of Yugoslavia. The creation of this much-needed Temple 
will be a great step forward for the future of the Masonic Order 
in our homeland, for the future of the country itself, for the 
future of freedom and democracy. 

   This short review may, therefore, be considered as our solemn 
promise to every Brother in the United States of America and 
around the world to dedicate all our future Masonic work in 
Yugoslavia to the principles of peace, tolerance, freedom. 

