Constitution
CONSTITUTION OF THE GRAND LODGE OF KAZAKHSTAN
Accepted by the Assembly of the Grand Lodge on November 12, 6016 of the True Light in the East of Alma-Ata
The Grand Lodge of Kazakhstan was created, installed and consecrated on November 12, 6016 of the True Light by the Grand Lodge of Russia and honors its mother Grand Lodge, its Constitution, traditions and institutions as sources of spiritual influence and evidence of the continuity of the Masonic initiatory chain.
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
Freemasonry has its origins in the initiatory organizations of the Middle Ages, which adopted the symbolism of the ancient builders.
Its customs and rituals are the result of the development of traditions from time immemorial, known as the Ancient Commandments, or Landmarks, transmitted by Masters to Apprentices and contained in various ancient texts, considered fundamental. They contain an exposition of the generally accepted and timeless principles of Freemasonry.
Freemasonry is based on the unshakable faith of all its initiates in the Supreme God, Who is worshiped under the name of the Great Architect of the Universe.
The principles of the Masonic worldview are reduced to two basic statements: “Know thyself” and “Do unto others what you would have done unto you.”
Freemasonry is a free association of independent men, irrespective of their religion, striving to realize the ideals of peace, love and fraternity.
Freemasonry considers its goals to be the moral improvement of its members, and ultimately of all mankind as a whole, as well as the implementation of true charity.
Freemasonry imposes on all its initiates the obligation to respect the opinions of others and strictly forbids any discussions on political or religious questions, in order to be an unchanging center of fraternal unity in which perfect harmony of spirit reigns.
Freemasons meet in places called lodges to perform ritual works, to which only men of good morals, impeccable reputation, men of honor and duty, loyal to the legitimate authorities, prudent and by all indications worthy of the title of Brothers and having undergone the appropriate initiation into the fraternity are admitted. Freemasons meet in places called lodges to perform ritual works, to which only men of good morals, impeccable reputation, men of honor and duty, loyal to the legitimate authorities, prudent and by all indications worthy of the title of Brothers and having undergone the appropriate initiation into the brotherhood are admitted. Brothers who meet in lodges are obliged to love their country, to be faithful to its laws and legally elected authorities, to consider labor the main duty of man, and to honor it in all its forms.
Freemasons are also obliged to protect the Masonic secret with all their strength: by word, example, useful printed works.
A true Freemason is obliged to constantly help his Brothers, selflessly, always and, regardless of any external circumstances of life, to remain calm, to control himself in what concerns thoughts and words.
TWELVE PRINCIPLES OF REGULARITY
1. Freemasonry is an initiatory fraternity based on the traditional belief in God, the Great Architect of the Universe.
2. Freemasonry is based on the Ancient Commandments and Landmarks of the fraternity, which contain the fundamental special traditions of the Order, the observance of which is an essential condition of the regularity of the jurisdiction.
3. Freemasonry is an Order that accepts into its membership only men of free and impeccable reputation, who agree to work for the realization of the ideals of peace, love and fraternity.
4. Freemasonry aims at the moral improvement of its members and, ultimately, of all mankind.
5. Freemasonry imposes on all brothers the obligation to strictly and accurately observe the rituals and to preserve the traditions of Masonic symbolism as a basis for recognition by other members of the spiritual initiatory Order.
6. Freemasonry imposes on all brothers the obligation to respect each other’s opinions and faith. It forbids brothers any discussions on controversial political and religious questions. It considers itself an unchanging center of fraternal unity, tolerance and mutual understanding, fruitful harmony between people who outside it are prone to disputes and discord among themselves.
7. Freemasons make their solemn engagements on the Book of the Sacred Law of their faith, so that the engagement they make may acquire for them the force of a sacred and inviolable oath.
8. Freemasons leave the profane world and assemble in lodges in which the three great Lights of the Order, the Book of the Sacred Law, the Compass and the Square, are always present and visible, and they work there with diligence and zeal, in accordance with the ritual, principles and regulations of the Constitution and General Regulations of Obedience.
9. Freemasons accept into their lodges only people of good morals and impeccable reputation, loyal to the secular authorities, as well as prudent, worthy and in all respects deserving to be called Brothers, believing in the high destiny of man and the infinite power of the Eternal.
10. Freemasons in their lodges cultivate love for their country, respect for its laws and legally elected authorities. They consider work in all its forms to be the highest and most honorable duty of man.
11. Freemasons by their example and constant persistent work with dignity guard the Masonic secret for the sake of the prosperity of the Order.
12. Freemasons undertake to help and protect each other, even at the risk of their own lives. They maintain under all circumstances the calm and balance necessary for perfect self-mastery.
DUTIES OF FREEMASONS
Freemasons solemnly bind themselves and swear to no one to reveal any of the mysteries of the Order except to true and lawful Brothers or in a duly constituted and open Lodge of Freemasons. They also have in their hearts the love of their Brothers, and must comfort them in times of adversity and come to their aid in times of need.
They also bind themselves to honor and observe the rules provided in the twelve principles of regularity above stated.
Freemasons believe that all men, notwithstanding their differences in social position and talents, have equal rights and duties. They consider it their duty to conduct themselves in accordance with this conviction and to induce all around them to treat their neighbors in a brotherly manner, with love and respect, on the basis of universal equality and fraternity.
Freemasons strive for the spiritual and intellectual perfection of the members of their Order and in practice implement the principles of humanity. The principles of their work are the following: the use of a universal system of symbolic instructions known as the Royal Art, the respectful use of established rituals, charitable work, tolerance and blameless conduct. The Lodge is a place of perfect harmony and brotherly love; no profane passions are allowed in it. During Masonic meetings, all Brethren must conduct themselves so that by no word or deed they disturb the harmony of the meeting.
Freemasons accept into the Brotherhood only men of free and good morals, who intend to work actively for the sake of their spiritual and moral perfection. They do not divide their initiates depending on their faith, race, nationality or social position.
No Freemason is allowed to wear his Masonic regalia – cuffs, ribbons, pendants, etc. – outside the lodge and not during a regular and duly open meeting, except in cases determined by special order of the Grand Master.
No Freemason is allowed to publish, issue or in any other way make public – in the Masonic or profane press – any information or documents, by publishing which, he, of his own free will or not, violates the Masonic laws or the points of his obligations towards the Order or individual members, as well as if they are contrary to the principles of the Order or discredit its honor or the honor of individual members.
All Brothers undertake not to take any part, openly or secretly, in the meetings of any Masonic organizations not recognized by the Grand Lodge of Kazakhstan.
All Brothers undertake to recognize and respect the jurisdiction and prerogatives of Grand Lodges, if they are duly established and recognized.
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF RECOGNITION OF GRAND LODGE
When deciding to recognize any Grand Lodge as a fraternal jurisdiction, the Grand Lodge of Kazakhstan is guided by the following rules accepted by the United Grand Lodge of England on September 4, 1929:
1. Regularity of Origin: Every Grand Lodge must be constituted by three or more lodges which have in turn been lawfully constituted by another Grand Lodge of regular recognition. A newly constituted Grand Lodge must be constituted with the participation of its mother Grand Lodge.
2. Belief in the Grand Architect of the Universe and His will as revealed by Revelation is a necessary and fundamental condition of membership in the Order.
3. All initiates must pledge themselves to the open Book of the Sacred Law, by which term is meant the Divine Revelation set forth in the sacred scriptures of the religion of the candidate.
4. Membership in the Grand Lodge and in the separate Worshipful Lodges within its jurisdiction shall be limited to men, and no Grand Lodge shall have any Masonic connection with any lodges of mixed or female membership.
5. The Grand Lodge shall have supreme and sovereign authority over the lodges under its auspices, that is to say, it shall be a responsible, independent and self-governing body, possessing undivided and unquestioned authority over the Masonry of the symbolic degrees (Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master) within its territory, and in no way subordinate to, or sharing authority with, the Supreme Council or any other Masonic authority claiming authority or control over such degrees.
6. The Three Great Lights of Masonry (namely, the Book of the Sacred Law, the Compass, and the Square) must always be present in the Grand Lodge and its subordinate lodges during their meetings; the chief of these is the Book of the Sacred Law.
7. Discussions on religious and political matters in the lodge are strictly forbidden.
8. The principles of the Ancient Landmarks, the customs, and traditions of Masonry must be strictly observed.
Grand Master
Grand Secretary
Grand Orator