As history attests, Greek Freemasons contributed substantially and decisively to the National Rebirth and the independence of Greece. After the creation of the Greek State, regular Masonic Lodges began to be founded, and in 1864 they united to establish the “Grand Orient of Greece” in Athens. It gained international recognition and, renamed the “Grand Lodge of Greece” in 1936, has worked without interruption ever since.
The arrival of organised Greek Freemasonry in Cyprus was an indirect consequence of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, which resulted in the conditional cession of the island of Cyprus by the Ottoman Empire to Great Britain, “to be occupied and administered”, as the relevant agreement characteristically states. Later, in 1925, Great Britain formally made Cyprus a colony of the British Crown.
Under these unfavourable conditions, prominent Greek Freemasons of Limassol, led by the commanding figure of the physician Worshipful Brother Ioannis Karageorgiades, and with the warm support of British Brethren such as the army officer Worshipful Brother John Percy White of the English Lodge “St Paul’s” No. 2277, which had been working in Limassol since 1888, persevered in their efforts, despite the persistent objections of the United Grand Lodge of England to the founding of a Greek Masonic Lodge in Cyprus. The contribution of the Grand Orient of Greece, and especially of its Grand Secretary, Right Worshipful Brother St. Stefanou, proved decisive in these developments. In a letter dated 1 September 1893 to Worshipful Brother Ioannis Karageorgiades, he wrote pointedly that the United Grand Lodge of England “has no right whatsoever over Cyprus”.
Thus, after three years of continuous struggle, and without the consent of the United Grand Lodge of England, the first Greek Lodge of Cyprus was solemnly consecrated on 15 November 1893 under the distinctive name “Zenon” and with the Panhellenic registration number 18, with Worshipful Brother Ioannis Karageorgiades as its first Worshipful Master.
From then on, alongside its rich Masonic activity in Limassol, the Lodge played a leading role, through its members, in the founding of the other historic Greek Lodges of Cyprus: the Lodge “Kimon” No. 53 in Larnaca, the Lodge “Solon” No. 55 in Nicosia, the Lodge “Kinyras” No. 64 in Paphos and the Lodge “Evagoras” No. 77 in Famagusta.
The contribution of the Lodge “Zenon” to the national struggles was remarkable, its foremost representative being Worshipful Brother Christodoulos Sozos, advocate, Mayor and Member of the Legislative Council, who, as a volunteer in the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913, fell in battle for Faith and Fatherland.
Equally noteworthy was the participation of many members of the Lodge in the public life of Cyprus as Ministers, Members of Parliament, Mayors, Attorneys General and Judges.
Special mention must be made of the great benefactor of the city, Worshipful Brother Nikolaos P. Lanitis, who in 1948 donated a large plot of land on which, at his own expense, he built a school that to this day bears the name “Lanitio Gymnasium of Limassol”.
The cultural activity of the Lodge was also significant, thanks to the many poets, men of letters and distinguished authors who came from its ranks, foremost among them the late Worshipful Brother Christoforos Tornaritis, who recorded and preserved valuable aspects of the history of Cypriot Freemasonry.
During the dark years of the Second World War, when Greece was under Nazi occupation and Freemasonry was persecuted, Worshipful Brother Christoforos Tornaritis was entrusted with the lawful representation and exercise of the Supreme Masonic Authority of the Grand Lodge of Greece, with its seat at the Lodge “Zenon”. He fulfilled this mission successfully, keeping the Masonic Light burning and the presence of the Grand Lodge of Greece alive.
Furthermore, the charitable work of the Brethren of the Lodge was particularly significant. Among other things, it included the founding and operation of a night school for needy citizens of Limassol, which, during its 22 years of operation, was attended by more than 2,000 pupils, as well as donations to the Greek Army, the Greek Orthodox Church, the National Guard, the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society, the Red Cross and many other charitable organisations. In conclusion, anyone wishing to delve into the minutes and archives of the Lodge “Zenon” will find that they contain a large and significant part of the history of Greek Freemasonry in Cyprus. Thanks to their Masonic zeal and unfailing devotion to the Institution, the late pioneers of the Lodge “Zenon” laid strong foundations for the Masonic Workshop they founded and dedicated to Virtue, Freedom and the Search for Truth.
This edifice has been handed down from generation to generation to its worthy successors of today, for whom the honour is great and the responsibility weighty: to prove worthy of it and to strengthen the work of their predecessors.
The venerable and senior Lodge “Zenon” now happily completes 133 years of Masonic work. May the Great Architect of the Universe strengthen the Pillars of Zenon and guide the steps of its Brethren, so that they may remain standing in harmony for ever and ever
From the anniversary album “Grand Lodge of Cyprus 2006–2026”.
