Universal Brotherhood Celebration 2007–Universal Lodge

Universal Brotherhood Celebration 2007

Universal Lodge

A weekend was set aside by the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia to showcase Universal Brotherhood at its best. That weekend started with the traditional Universal Lodge meeting on Friday June 8, 2007 at the Scottish Rite Center. Officers from the various lodges in the jurisdiction joined together to highlight some of the ideals of Freemasonry as envisioned in our nation’s capital.

Proficiency of the ritual work was put to the test. Officers of the constituent lodges of the Grand Lodge of Washington, D.C., known for its diversity as manifested by the many multi-lingual lodges, (English, German, Persian, Spanish, French, Italian, Armenian, Turkish and Azeri), in their distinctive aprons and regalia, occupied the stations and places, and opening and closing the Universal Lodge in the 1st Degree, put on a performance worthy of much praise. It was breath taking to see a Brother speaking in one language and to be answered by another Brother in another language.

Both opening and closing of the Lodge were done with such perfection that our visiting Brethren from the United States, France, Italy, Portugal, South America, and as far away as Gabon, West Africa, were in awe and much inspired by what was unfolding before them; and their response was a

George S. Nicol , PM, Worshipful Master Albert Pike Lodge No. 33

resounding applause at the conclusion of both the opening and closing, reaffirming and acknowledging not only the ritualistic excellence, but more especially, the fact that Freemasons, all around the world, regardless of their tongue, all speak the same language.

All this could not have been accomplished without the hard work and dedication of RWB Armen Simonian, chairman of the organizing committee, and RWB Sheldon Rappeport, Grand Lecturer. But great credit must also go to our Grand Master, MWB Robert Heyat, who had the vision, almost two decades ago, to lay the foundation for the creation of universal lodges within the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, and highlight this achievement with the annual Universal Brotherhood Celebration.