
                Masonic Dawn in Eastern Europe 

                    ILL LAURI SARKIA, 33
                  Sovereign Grand Commander
                          of Finland
                       Kasarmikatu 16 D
                   00130 Helsinki, Finland


   IN EARLY NOVEMBER 1991, to my great pleasure, I received, 
at The Supreme Council of Finland's office in Helsinki, a 
special invitation addressed to me as Sovereign Grand 
Commander of Finland from Sovereign Grand Commander C. Fred 
Kleinknecht, 33. It read as follows: 
                                         
   "You are cordially invited to attend the Restoration 
Ceremony for The Supreme Council of Czechoslovakia at the 
Convent of St. Agnes in Prague, on Saturday 23, 1991, at 1:00 
p.m. This ceremony is being conducted at the request of               
Illustrious Jiri Syllaba, 33. 

   "At the same time, I shall restore The Supreme Council of 
Yugoslavia in accordance with the Grand Constitutions of 1786. 
After this historic event, you are cordially invited to join 
me for a light buffet in honor of the courageous Freemasons 
of Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia." 

   Clearly, history is in the making here, and I feel immense 
satisfaction in knowing that the Brethren of these countries 
have progressed so far towards our common Masonic goals. Of 
course, the situation in Yugoslavia is precarious. In the 
present rush of events, there is even some uncertainty if 
Yugoslavia can exist as one united country. Nevertheless, the 
restoration of The Supreme Council, 33, of Yugoslavia 
establishes the foundation for subsequent development of 
Scottish Rite Freemasonry in that area whatever the eventual 
political outcome in the months and years ahead. 

   The invitation led me to contact several Masonic Bodies. 
The result was that I was urged to accept the invitation, 
especially as my ability in the languages of the participants 
in the ceremonies would facilitate personal contacts and 
discussions with the Brethren attending. 

   Also, I had already developed many personal friendships in 
Prague while still active there in the international 
hospitality industry. To my surprise, I met many of these 
same old friends at the restoration ceremony. 

   Upon joining the assembled Brothers at the Convent of St. 
Agnes, it soon became obvious to me that all the Brethren 
present at this event were extremely devoted, committed, and 
cooperative. I understood that they wanted to promote the 
principles of Freemasonry among themselves and their native 
localities. They all wanted to strive personally, 
fraternally, and nationally for harmony and integrity.  

   Furthermore, they were pleased and gratified for the 
cordial assistance extended to them in this restoration by so 
authoritative a Masonic organization as The Supreme Council, 
33, of the United States, Southern Jurisdiction, Mother 
Council of the World. Thus the development of small, separate 
Masonic groupings, of which there are negative examples 
historically in Europe, could be avoided. 

   In our discussions, I was also able to explain to the 
Brethren the positive development of Freemasonry in my own 
country. The very important guidance and support received by 
us to begin with from the United States and then from England 
were of decisive significance. Finland's Scottish Rite Masons 
owe The Supreme Councils, 33, of both these countries a 
great debt of gratitude. Because of their help, we have also 
become a recognized group in Freemasonry in every level and 
Degree. 

   I consider the work and support already given to the 
Brethren of Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia by the Ancient and 
Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, 
U.S.A., under the leadership of my good friend Sovereign 
Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33, to be of extremely 
great value and importance in the promotion of international 
harmony, peace, and the good teachings of Freemasonry. So 
mote it be! 

______ 

[From Photo Captions] 

The Thirty-third Degree Team of the American Military (NATO) 
Bodies participating in the restoration ceremony was Ill 
Charles E. Glidewell, 33; Ill Wilford E. Voehl, Jr., 33; 
R W Hugh Black, 33, Grand Master, American Canadian Grand 
Lodge; Ill Alister Boyd, 33; Ill Jess Minton, 33, Grand 
Secretary, American Canadian Grand Lodge; Ill Elmer C. 
George, 33; Ill Robert W. Woodward, 33, Deputy, NATO 
Bodies; and Ill Arthur L. Kile, 33, Orient Personal 
Representative, NATO Bodies. 

The main participants in the restoration of The Supreme 
Councils, 33, of Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia were Ill 
Arthur L. Kile, 33; Ill Lauri Sarkia, 33, Sov Gr Cmdr 
of Finland; Ill Jiri Syllaba, 33, Sov Gr Cmdr of 
Czechoslovakia; Ill C. Fred Kleinknecht, Sov Gr Cmdr, 
S.J., U.S.A.; Ill Zoren Nenezic, 33, Sov Gr Cmdr of 
Yugoslavia; Ill Robert W. Woodward, 33, Deputy, NATO 
Bodies; and Ill Elvio Sciubba, 33, G C, Past Sov Gr 
Cmdr of Italy. 

