Brothers Knights,

In 1989, the Great Priory of Greece was the first to propose the idea of an International Synod of the Great Priories.

The stated purpose of organizing these events every three years was: 

1. “To bring together the Heads of all regular Masonic Christian Chivalric Bodies, enabling them to exchange ideas, research new perspectives and possibly solve (or not) any misunderstandings that may exist between two Bodies.
2. To unite as many as possible Bros. Knights from all over the world giving them the opportunity to make new friends and to learn different rituals and customs.”

The history of these triennial Synods is engraved upon the blade of the Synod’s ceremonial sword. A significant fact, as we learn from it that there has always been a core nucleus of Great Priories permanently attached to the Synod as well as other Masonic bodies that have participated occasionally, then gave up.

Thus, we learn that in 1997, the International Synod was hosted by the Grand Lodge of Sweden, a Grand Lodge deeply rooted in Christian values but which was absent at the Synod held in Rhodes.

At the XII-th International Synod in Rhodes, the Order of the Knights Freemasons of Romania participated with a large delegation and officially submitted its candidacy to host the XIII-th edition of International Synod of the Great Priories and Christian Masonries, to be held in Bucharest, Romania, on September 30th, 2026.

During the Grand Masters Conference, held at the Grand Master Palace in Rhodes, the participants overwhelmingly voted in favor of Romania’s candidacy.

It was a great honor for us to be entrusted with organizing the next Synod at our very first participation, and also a great challenge. 

The XII-th Synod held in Rhodes also had a special feature: alongside the traditional Christian Great Priories of Greece, France, England, Scotland, Ireland, the USA, Australia, Finland, Italy, Benin, Malta, Congo, Austria, Switzerland, and Belgium, three Great Christian Orders working in the Zinnendorf Rite participated together for the first time. The three Orders were: The Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Germany (Grosse Landesloge der Freimaurer von Deutschland), The Latvian Order of Freemasons, The Order of the Knights Freemasons of Romania.

This was a significant moment, demonstrating the universal character of Christian Masonries, all of which are welcome and encouraged to take part in future Synods.

We are looking forward to welcoming all participants from Rhodes at the upcoming XIII-th Synod in Bucharest.

Just as in Rhodes, the Orders working in the Zinnendorf Rite joined the Christian Great Priories, we would be greatly honored to welcome, in Bucharest the Christian Masonic Orders working in the Swedish Rite from Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Norway. Thus, we would revive the tradition from 1997, when Sweden hosted the International Synod.

We are living in challenging times: wars, pandemics, international tensions unseen since World War II, and profound changes in how people interact through social platforms.

In such turbulent times, we, the Knight Brothers who share common values, must come together and strive to offer a meaningful response to the rapidly evolving social and economic realities that shape our lives and societies.

I firmly believe that, together, we can provide answers to the pressing issues we face. Even if we may not succeed entirely, we must at least try.

The relevance of the answers and solutions we, as Freemasons, are called to offer to the societies we live in is directly proportional to the number of participants at these gatherings.

Of course, beyond all this, these meetings help us better understand our history, our Masonic origins, the rituals we practice, and, most importantly, they help us forge lasting fraternal friendships. This is yet another compelling reason to gather in great numbers at the upcoming Synod.

I wish you health, peace, and happiness and together with all the Brethren of the Order of Knights Freemasons of Romania, I await you on September 30th, 2026, in Bucharest, for the XIII-th International Synod of the Great Priories and Christian Masonries.

With Fraternal Love,

The MostWise Brother
Vasile POPA
Grand Master of the Order of Knights Freemasons of Romania