Co Existence From The Lodge Outwards

Short Papers Competition 2009 © 2010 Internet Lodge and the author Paper 18/2009 Title Co-Existence from the Lodge Outwards Author Bro Dr. Antranik Ashdjian – Cyprus Cyprus is perhaps one of the few places where different people have had a long tradition of side-by- side co-existence, but also a sad history of conflicts. Having been on the crossroad of civilisations throughout the centuries, each passing civilisation left behind easily distinguishable footprints, now making up a rich heritage of ancient Greek and Roman ruins, Byzantine churches, Venetian city-walls, Crusader and Lusignan fortresses, Ottoman mosques, British colonial buildings. Each period also introduced distinct ethnic, linguistic or religious groups into the multi-cultural mosaic of the island’s population. Five of these groupings, still surviving to date, are:  Greeks, the modern-day descendants of the indigenous populations, whose existence can be traced back to ancient times,  Turks, who mainly settled on the island during Ottoman rule (1571-1878),  Maronites, who trace their roots to eastern-rite Catholics living in modern-day Lebanon, and first settled on the island in the 8 th century,  Armenians, who first arrived on the island in the 6 th century, with subsequent influxes throughout the sixth to early 20th centuries,  Latins, who mainly consist of descendants of Venetian, Italian, French and other European noblemen and tradesmen settling on the island during the 12 th-16th centuries. The term “Latin” refers to their Roman or Latin-rite Catholic faith.
Non-indigenous ex-pats, mainly British, have also been a presence on the island. Between 1878 and 1960, they mainly consisted of civilian or military officials of the then Colonial administration. Nowadays they consist of a mix of ex-pats employed or retired on the island and military personnel serving in the Sovereign British Bases. Such Britons introduced Speculative Freemasonry to Cyprus in 1888. Craft Freemasonry subsequently spread over the island and Cypriots joined the Order. Freemasons’ Lodges became the environment where people from all ethnic or religious backgrounds met in harmony. It also created the ideal environment where Cypriots could socialise with Government personnel. Even in periods of inter-communal violence (for example in 1955-59 and 1963-64), Freemasonry succeeded in bringing Brethren together. The older gener ations of Cyprus Freemasons, originating from all communities and backgrounds, shared pos itive experiences in the six UGLE Lodges then meeting on the island, until the time when the bond was shattered by “the” dividing line. Today, 35 odd years later, armed conflicts are far-gone and movement across the dividing line is finally unobstructed. Cypriots have started to re-acquaint with each other, building-up respect towards each other’s distinct identity; better understanding their corresponding backgrounds, faiths and cultures; and learning to co-exist in a common homeland. Short Papers Competition 2009 © 2010 Internet Lodge and the author In this process, Masonic Lodges once again have acquired a role as bridge-makers. Old and young, Greek, Turkish, Maronite, Armenian, Latin, British and other Brethren of all vocations assemble once again, setting all of their differences aside and engaging in the noble teachings of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. In a way, Freemasonry is instructing us Cypriot Masons of the newer generation the correct way to act and interact. Nothing now remains but to implement these valuable lessons in our daily lives.