The Grand Lodge of Bosnia and Herzegovina consists of 9 Craft lodges and 2 side orders:
9 CRAFT LODGES:
Lodge “Lux Bosniae” #1 (Orient Sarajevo)
Lodge “Ivo Andrić” #2 (Orient Sarajevo)
Lodge “Veritas” #3 (Orient Sarajevo)
Lodge “Europe” #4 (Orient Tuzla)
Lodge “Phoenix” #5 (Orient Banja Luka)
Lodge “Günther Hödl” #6 (Orient Sarajevo)
Lodge “Quatour Coronati” #7 (Orient Sarajevo)
Lodge “Libertas” #8 (Orient Tuzla)
Lodge “Polaris” #9 (Orient Bijeljina)
2 SIDE ORDERS:
Apart from the Craft of „blue” lodges, there are two side orders in BiH, primarily dedicated to the spiritual development of its members. While the brethren in the Craft lodges are organized in three degrees, the side orders work on the higher degrees, and gather brethren from all the different Craft. As part of the rituals of these higher degrees, the brothers discover new symbols that open up new knowledge for them. In a Freemason’s labour on himself, the rituals of the higher degrees provide new incentives. Working with brothers from other Craft lodges also lead to the strengthening of the fraternal chain outside the framework of the mother Craft lodge.
The Royal Arch represents a very important degree in the Anglo-Saxon area, but it is also worked outside of it. It was created in the first half of the 18th century. It is organized in chapters that, in addition to working on the additional moral and ethical development of their members, also work on building the “ideal temple”. Therefore, the Royal Arch is dedicated to the spiritual work of a brother on himself, encourages him to question his own nature, and he does this with the help of allegories and symbols. The condition for membership in the Royal Arch to hold a degree of master mason in one of the Craft lodges.
The Scottish Order is, first and foremost, an educational institution in Freemasonry with the aim of expanding, enriching and deepening knowledge about the contents of the Royal Art. As a superstructure of the Ivanovo (Blue) lodges, it presupposes the increased activity of the Brother to strengthen the Brotherhood through concrete work in his lodge and help the brothers master the knowledge of Freemasonry.
The Scottish Rite is one of the associate orders of Freemasonry that a Master Mason can join to perfect his membership. It is also compatible, because some of its degrees refer to the degrees of symbolic (craft) Freemasonry. In England and some other countries, although the Grand Lodge does not officially recognize the Scottish Rite, only a full Freemason can join it and there are no prohibitions. However, in the United States, Grand Lodges officially recognize the Scottish Rite as an extension of the degrees of Freemasonry. The Scottish rite builds on the ethical teachings and philosophy dealt with in the craft (or blue) lodge, through the dramatic presentation of individual degrees.
In addition, the Research lodge “Quatuor Coronati” is part of the GLBiH, which is dedicated to the scientific research of freemasonry. It connects brothers from different craft lodges, who investigate the history, customs, symbols, structure and social position of Freemasonry, as well as current issues in Freemasonry. In this way, it encourages and improves masonic knowledge, but also the international networking of brethren from different countries based on scientific work.
INITIATION
Any „free man of good standing”, whose work and life is based on the principles of humanity and tolerance can voluntarily become a Freemason. The basic prerequisite is that the candidate lives in stable conditions and is independent, whereby social status and financial means do not play a determining role. Any man who is only looking for a solution to their financial, business or social problems and hopes for shortcuts in their career, has no place in freemasonry. The goal of Freemasonry is to make good men better.
