Athens, November 28, 2013
The Patriarchate officially refutes the reports that Patriarch Bartholomew allegedly has links with masons.
Patriarchate of Constantinople: Patriarch Bartholomew has nothing in common with masons
12/2/2013
See also
'Christians in Turkey are second-class citizens'
'Christians in Turkey are second-class citizens'Turkey's small Christian population doesn't enjoy all the same rights as the Muslim majority. The Greek Orthodox Church has a particularly difficult relationship with the state, says religion expert Walter Flick.
Clergy of Lutheran Church in Estonia demand that Pastors are forbidden to be Masons
Clergy of Lutheran Church in Estonia demand that Pastors are forbidden to be MasonsThirty clerics of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church have addressed the Church administration with the request "to forbid priests to enter the organization of masons because "it does not correspond to their holy calling" and "causes a lot of misunderstanding among both clergy and laity, and provokes rejection and prejudices in the Estonian society on the whole".
Dangers of Secret Fraternities, Christianity and the Bible
Dangers of Secret Fraternities, Christianity and the BibleThe origins of fraternities predate the earliest civilisations – their existence span different cultures. In African traditions, for example, traditional secret societies include ruling-class hunting elites societies whose members are taught not only the physical methods, but also respect for the spiritual aspect of the hunt and use of “honourable” magical means to obtain important co-operation from the animal hunted or to remain influential. Members are supposed to have been initiated into, and thus have access to, occult powers hidden to non-members. In the modern west, things are perhaps more refined - these societies hunt for social relevance, recognition and achievement and have equally perfected honourable but mystical means to influence their environment to retain and promote their wealth, gains and noble causes.