BASIC LAW OF THE MOVEMENT OF THE OLD FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF BULGARIA

Chapter One
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section I. Basic principles and principles
Section II. Objectives
Section III. Means
Section IV. Symbols

Chapter Two
GRAND LODGE OF OLD FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS
Section I. Status
Section II. Structure
Section III. General meeting
Paragraph 1. Ordinary General Assembly
Paragraph 2. Great General Assembly
Paragraph 3. General rules for holding a General Assembly
Section IV. Grand Master
Section V. Council of Great Dignitaries
Section VI. Great Fraternal Court
Section VII. Great Legal Commission
Section VIII. Great Ritual Commission
Section IX. Commission of the Great Auditors

Chapter Three
LODGE OF OLD FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS
Section I. Status of Member Lodge
Section II. Relations between the Member Lodges

Chapter Four
MEMBERSHIP IN LODGES
Section I. General provisions
Section II. Acceptance of Seekers
Section III. Incorporation of Freemason Brothers
Section IV. Elevation of Brothers in Degree
Section V. Falling asleep
Section VI. Transfer of Membership
Section VII. Termination of Membership in the Lodge

Chapter Five
FIREPLACE OF OLD FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS

Chapter Six
OLD GRAND MASTERS AND OLD CHAIR MASTERS

Chapter Seven
MASONIC HONORS, DISTINCTIONS AND AWARDS

Chapter Eight
PENALTIES AND OTHER PROCEDURES

Chapter Nine
RULES OF MASONIC COMMUNICATION
Section I. Addresses of the Freemasons
Section II. Clothing of the Freemasons
Section III. Establishing contacts between Freemasons
Section IV. Inheritance of Brother Mason

The Movement of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria is a community of free men, of good reputation, gathered without regard to their religious and political beliefs, race, citizenship and social status and united in Brotherhoods /Masonic Lodges/, who aspire to human perfection through fraternal relationships in accordance with the Ancient Obligations /customs, traditions, symbols and rituals/ of World Freemasonry. Respecting the dignity of the individual, they advocate the full development of the personality and brotherhood, tolerance and readiness for mutual assistance in the name of Faith in the Great Architect of the universe.

Chapter One
General provisions

Section I
Basic principles and principles

Art.1.(1) The Movement of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria is built on the following basic principles:
a/ Faith in the Great Architect of the Universe and in His will is an absolute condition for accepting members;
b/ The Grand Lodge of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria can be founded by at least three Regular and Legally Competent Lodges;
c/ All initiates must swear their duties over the Books of the Holy Laws;
d/ Only men are members of the Movement;
e/ The Grand Lodge of Bulgaria has sole and indisputable authority over the craft and over the symbolic degrees on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and cannot be subordinated to the Supreme Council or any other power requiring control of these degrees;
f/ The three Great Lights are open continuously during work;
g/ Disputes of a religious and political nature are strictly prohibited;
h/ The Customs, Traditions, Symbols and Rituals of the Craft must be strictly observed.
(2) The main principles guiding the Movement of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria are:
a/ Freedom of personality and conscience;
b/ Tolerance of foreign ideas;
c/ Pursuit of perfection;
d/ Observance of Masonic secrecy;
e/ Mutual aid between brothers;
f/ Selection in the selection of members;
g/ Autonomy and independence of individual Lodges in relation to the "Mother Lodge";
h/ Loyalty to civil society and compliance with laws;
and/ Evolution in social processes.

Section II
Aims

Art. 2. (1) The main goal of the Movement of Old Free and Accepted Masons is the achievement of moral growth and spiritual improvement of the Human personality and the Human Community.
(2) The movement organizes and supports humanitarian, charitable and other socially beneficial events.
(3) The Movement accepts as its own all other goals arising from the Customs and Traditions of World Freemasonry.
(4) The movement cannot pursue goals prohibited by the laws of the Republic of Bulgaria, the customs and morals of civil society.

Section III
Means

Art. 3. The Movement of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria achieves its goals through:
1. Continuous individual work on the self-improvement of each of the Freemason Brothers;
2. Dedicated work of the Brothers Freemasons in the Masonic Workshops;
3. Conducting regular Ritual activity in the Grand Lodge and the Member Lodges;
4. Accurate and uniform application of the Basic Law, the Statutes of the Member Lodges, Masonic Customs and Traditions;
Art. 4. (1) The financial means necessary to achieve the Goals of the Movement are procured from:
a/ Obligatory contributions - introductory and ongoing;
b/ Donations and sponsorships;
c/ Other methods allowed by civil society laws.
(2) The collected funds are spent within and according to the requirements of the budgets adopted by the competent authorities.

Section IV
Symbols

Art.5.(1) The main symbols of the Movement of the Old Free and Accepted Masons are the Three Great Lights:
a/ Books of the Holy Laws;
b/ The right angle;
in/ The compass.
(2) Symbols of the Movement are also the Three Little Lights - the Sun, the Moon and the Master of the Chair, as well as the attributes of the stonemason's guild.
(3) Lodges of Freemasons work only when the Book of the Holy Law is open and the Right Angle and the Ruler are joined.

Chapter Two
Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons

Section I
Status

Art. 6. (1) The Grand Lodge of Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria /Grand Lodge/ is an independent and self-governing union of Regular and legal Lodges.
(2) The Grand Lodge does not recognize any Masonic authority other than its own on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.
(3) /new - adopted by the VOS on 16.05.2009/ The Grand Lodge of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria may interact with other regular Grand Lodges on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria on the principle of equality and mutual recognition in order to achieve the moral ideals and high aims of Freemasonry.
Art. 7. The Grand Lodge is an association registered under the Law on Non-Profit Legal Entities and is headquartered in Sofia.
Art. 8. (1) The Grand Lodge exercises supreme jurisdiction over the Member Lodges. The Grand Lodge unites and directs the activities of all Member Lodges, and through its bodies ensures the exact observance of the Basic Law and the Ancient Duties, Rituals, Symbols and Traditions of the Movement of Old Freemasons and Accepted Masons.
(2) The Grand Lodge only has the right to represent the Movement before foreign Grand Lodges, as well as before the internal state institutions of the Republic of Bulgaria and international civil society organizations.
(3) The Grand Lodge guarantees the sovereignty of the Movement of Old Freemasons and Accepted Masons in the Republic of Bulgaria.

Section II
Structure

Art. 9. (1) The Grand Lodge of Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria performs its functions through the following bodies:
a/ General Assembly;
b/ Grand Master;
c/ Council of Great Dignitaries;
d/ Great Fraternal Court;
e/ Great Legal Commission;
f/ Great Ritual Commission;
g/ Commission of the Great Auditors.
(2) The Council of Grand Dignitaries, the Grand Fraternal Court, the Grand Legal Commission, the Grand Ritual Commission and the Commission of Grand Auditors carry out their activities in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law and by-laws adopted by them, which are registered with the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge.
Section III
General Assembly

Art. 10. The General Assembly is the Supreme Governing Body of the Grand Lodge.
Art. 11. In accordance with its powers, the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge is:
a/ Usually;
b/ Great.

Paragraph 1
Ordinary General Assembly

Art. 12. (1) Normally, the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge is held twice within the calendar year.
(2) An ordinary General Meeting of the Grand Lodge is convened by the Grand Master by means of a written invitation, including the date, venue and draft agenda. The invitations are sent to the participants of the meeting no later than ten days before its holding by letter, fax or e-mail together with all materials related to the agenda.
Art.13.(1) The Member Lodges, the Grand Master, the Grand Dignitaries, the Chairman of the Grand Fraternal Court, the Chairman of the Grand Legal Commission, the Chairman of the Grand Ritual Commission and the Chairman of the Commission of Grand Auditors participate in the Ordinary General Meeting of the Grand Lodge. Old Grand Masters and Chaired Old Masters are also eligible to participate.
(2) The Member Lodges and the Grand Master have the right to make proposals to the Ordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge.
(3) Only the Member Lodges have the right to vote in the Ordinary General Meeting of the Grand Lodge. Each Lodge is entitled to one vote. The right to vote is exercised by the Chair Master or a Brother Master expressly authorized by him in writing.
Art.14.(1) The Ordinary General Meeting of the Grand Lodge can make decisions if all Member Lodges are regularly invited, at least half of them attend the Meeting, and when a partial election is made or a decision is made to exclude a Member Lodge - they are present at least two thirds.
(2) /amended by the VOS on 16.05.2009/ The Ordinary General Assembly adopts its decisions with a simple majority of those present and entitled to vote, and when a decision is taken to exclude a Member Lodge - with a majority of two thirds of those present and having the right to vote.
(3) Voting is open, unless the assembly decides on certain issues that voting should be secret - by ballot or ballots. When a partial election is held or a decision is made to exclude a Member Lodge, the vote is secret.
Art. 15. (1) The Ordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge has the following powers:
a/ Accepts the reports of the Grand Master, the Grand Treasurer, other Grand Dignitaries and the Chairman of the Grand Fraternal Court, the Chairman of the Grand Legal Commission, the Chairman of the Grand Ritual Commission and the Chairman of the Commission of Grand Auditors.
b/ Approves the work plan of the Grand Lodge.
c/ Determines the amount of Mandatory Contributions;
d/ Accepts the budget for the next calendar year and approves the performance report.
e/ Takes a decision on the acquisition and disposal of real estate;
f/ Accepts changes in the Rituals;
g/ Accepts the Statute of honors in the Movement of Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria and awards the highest of them;
h/ Makes a decision to exclude a Member Lodge;
(2) /amended by the Supreme Court on 16.05.2009/ In cases of premature release of positions in the Council of Grand Dignitaries, excluding that of the Grand Master, the Grand Fraternal Court, the Grand Legal Commission, the Grand Ritual Commission and the Commission of Grand Auditors, due to death, placement under interdiction, in the case of an effective sentence for an intentional crime of a general nature, leaving at one's own will or by decision of the Grand Fraternal Court The Ordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge conducts a partial election. Those elected in this way hold office until the expiration of the mandate of the relevant authority. Within one mandate, according to the order of this paragraph, no more than one third of the composition of the relevant body may be replaced.
(3) The Ordinary General Meeting of the Grand Lodge makes decisions and all matters relating to the activities of the Grand Lodge except those that are placed in the exclusive competence of the Grand General Meeting of the Grand Lodge.
(4) The decisions of the Ordinary General Assembly come into force immediately and are binding on the Movement of Old Free and Accepted Masons, and the Decisions of partial elections come into force after the expiration of seven days, if they are not appealed within this period or after the pronouncement of the Grand fraternal court in the event that they are appealed.
Art. 16. (1) In cases that he deems particularly important or urgent, the Grand Master convenes an Extraordinary Ordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge.
(2) The Grand Master is obliged to convene an Extraordinary Ordinary General Assembly upon a request for this, signed by at least one third of the Member Lodges.
(3) In the cases of the preceding paragraph, the Meeting shall be scheduled within one month from the date of receipt of a written request in the Grand Lodge.
(4) In the event that the Grand Master fails to fulfill his obligations under paragraph 2, half of the Member Lodges may themselves convene an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Grand Lodge with a decision signed by the Masters in the chair.
(5) The extraordinary Ordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge makes decisions within the competence of the Ordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge subject to the same requirements for procedure, quorum and majority.
Paragraph 2
Great General Assembly

Art. 17. (1) The Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge is held once every two years in the month of March of the corresponding calendar year.
(2) The Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge shall be convened by the Grand Master by means of a written invitation, including the date and time, the venue and a draft agenda. The invitations are sent to the participants of the meeting no later than one month before its holding by letter, fax or e-mail together with all materials related to the agenda.
Art. 18. (1) The Member Lodges, the Grand Master, the Grand Dignitaries, the Chairman and members of the Grand Fraternal Court, the Chairman and members of the Grand Legal Commission, the Chairman and members of the Grand Ritual Commission and the Chairman and the members of the Commission of the Grand Auditors. Old Grand Masters and Chaired Old Masters are also eligible to participate.
(2) /amended by the Supreme Court on 16.05.2009/Only the Member Lodges have the right to vote in the Grand General Meeting of the Grand Lodge. Each Lodge is entitled to three votes. The right to vote is exercised by the Chair Master and by two other Brother Masters elected at General Meetings of the Member Lodges.
Art. 19. (1) The Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge can make decisions if all Member Lodges are regularly invited and at least two-thirds of them are represented at the Assembly.
(2) The Grand General Assembly adopts its decisions with a qualified majority of two-thirds of those present and entitled to vote according to Art. 18, para. 2.
Art. 20. The Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge has the following powers:
1). Accepts, amends and supplements the Basic Law of the Movement of Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria;
2). Decides to dissolve the Grand Lodge;
3). Selects:
a/Grand Master;
b/ Grand dignitaries: two Deputy Grand Masters, First Grand Warden, Second Grand Warden, Grand Orator, Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer, Grand Master of Ceremonies, Grand Warden;
c/ Chairman and members of the Great Fraternal Court;
d/ Chairman and members of the Great Legal Commission;
e/ Chairman and members of the Great Ritual Commission;
f/ Chairman and members of the Commission of the Great Auditors.
Art. 21. (1) The following have the right to make proposals to the Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge for the adoption, amendment and addition of the Basic Law of the Movement:
a/ Member lodges;
b/ the Grand Master;
c/ The Chairman of the Great Legal Commission, the Chairman of the Great Fraternal Court and the Chairman of the Great Ritual Commission within the competence of the bodies they represent.
(2) The following have the right to make proposals to the Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge for a decision to dissolve the Grand Lodge:
a/ Member lodges;
b/ the Grand Master;
(3) Right of proposals to the Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge for the election of a Grand Master, Grand dignitaries: two Deputy Grand Masters, First Grand Warden, Second Grand Warden, Grand Orator, Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer, Grand Master of Ceremonies, Grand Warden, Chairman and members of the Grand Fraternal Court, Chairman and members of the Grand Legal Commission, Chairman and members of the Grand Ritual Commission, Chairman and members of the Commission of Grand Auditors have only the Member Lodges.
Art. 22. All proposals under the preceding article to the Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge shall be submitted to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge no later than the end of January of the respective calendar year
Art. 23. (1) In cases that he deems particularly important or urgent, the Grand Master convenes an Extraordinary Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge.
(2) The Grand Master is obliged to convene an Extraordinary Grand General Assembly upon a request for this, signed by more than half of the Member Lodges.
(3) In the cases of the preceding paragraph, the Meeting shall be scheduled within one month from the date of receipt of the written request by the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge.
(4) In the event that the Grand Master does not fulfill his obligations according to paragraph 2, more than half of the Member Lodges may themselves convene an Extraordinary Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge with a decision signed by the Masters in the chair. By the same decision, the Grand Master may be temporarily removed from office until the Extraordinary Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge is held.
(5) The extraordinary Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge, apart from the powers under Art. 20, has the right to dismiss the Grand Master, the Grand dignitaries: the two Deputy Grand Masters, the First Grand Warden, the Second Grand Warden, the Grand Orator, the Grand Secretary, the Grand Treasurer, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, the Grand Warden, the President and the members of the Grand Fraternal Court, the President and the members of the Great Legal Commission, the Chairman and members of the Great Ritual Commission, the Chairman and members of the Commission of Grand Auditors.
(6) The extraordinary Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge makes decisions within the competence of the Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge subject to the same requirements for procedure, quorum and majority.
Art. 24. (1) The decisions of the Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge are adopted by open vote, except in cases of election or dismissal from office.
(2) The decisions of the Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge on adoption, amendments and additions to the Basic Law are adopted by express vote on two readings, the first of which is in principle, and the second - for each individual text. Once adopted, they are not subject to appeal on substance, but are subject to appeal on procedure.
(3) The decision to dissolve the Grand Lodge is adopted by a clear vote and enters into force after it is reconfirmed in the order of its adoption by an Extraordinary Grand General Meeting of the Grand Lodge, held no earlier than six months from the date of the previous one.
(4) Decisions on the election and dismissal from office are adopted by secret ballot. They enter into force after the expiration of seven days, if they are not appealed within this period, or after the judgment of the Grand Fraternal Court in the event that they are appealed.
Art. 25.(1) The duties of the Grand Master, the Grand dignitaries: the two Deputy Grand Masters, the First Grand Warden, the Second Grand Warden, the Grand Orator, the Grand Secretary, the Grand Treasurer, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, the Grand Warden, the Chairman and the members of the Grand Fraternal Court , the Chairman and members of the Great Legal Commission, the Chairman and members of the Great Ritual Commission, the Chairman and members of the Commission of Great Auditors have a two-year term.
(2) Each Brother Mason may be re-elected without limitation to the same office, and the Grand Master for not more than two consecutive terms.
Art. 26. (1) Only a Brother who, at the time of the election, is a Deputy Grand Master or Chair Master, as well as an Old Grand Master, Old Chair Master or was a Deputy Grand Master, can be elected Grand Master.
(2) Only Brethren who are Chair Masters at the time of election, as well as Old Grand Masters, Old Chair Masters or who have been Deputy Grand Masters may be elected as Deputy Grand Masters.
(3) For First Grand Warden, Second Grand Warden, Grand Orator, Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer, Grand Master of Ceremonies, Grand Warden, any Brother Master who has served at least one term as dignitary in a Member Lodge may be elected.
(4) Any Brother Master with at least two years of experience can be elected Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Grand Fraternal Court, Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Grand Legal Commission, Chairman of the Grand Ritual Commission and Chairman of the Grand Auditors Commission as a Master and meeting the special requirements provided for in the Basic Law.
Art. 27. The Brethren listed in the previous article cannot simultaneously hold dignitary positions in the Member Lodges.
Art. 28.(1) The Grand Master, Grand Dignitaries, Chairman and members of the Grand Fraternal Court, Chairman and members of the Grand Legal Commission, Chairman and members of the Grand Ritual Commission, Chairman and members of The Commission of Great Revisions take office on New Year's Day of the respective calendar year after their election.
(2) Those elected at an extraordinary Grand General Meeting of the Grand Lodge Grand Master, Grand Dignitaries, Chairman and members of the Grand Fraternal Court, Chairman and members of the Grand Legal Commission, Chairman and members of the Grand Ritual Commission, Chairman and members of the Commission of Grand Revisions take office after the expiration of seven days, if the election or removal from office is not appealed or after the decision of the Grand Fraternal Court on appeal.
(3) /cancelled by the Supreme Court on 16.05.2009/

Paragraph 3
General rules for holding a General Meeting

Art. 29. A member Lodge that has not paid its Mandatory Contribution to the Grand Lodge for the previous year or has been declared "dormant" has no right to vote in a General Assembly regardless of its type.
Art. 30. (1) The General Meeting of the Grand Lodge is opened and presided over by the Grand Master. At any time he may relinquish the leadership of the assembly to a Deputy Grand Master.
(2) In the absence of the Grand Master, the General Assembly is opened and presided over by the Deputy Grand Master with longer Masonic experience.
(3) In the cases of art. 23, para. 4, the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge is presided over by the Master of the chair with the longest Masonic experience among the signatories of the decision to convene it.
(4) Immediately after the opening of the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge, the agenda and regulations are adopted by open vote and a simple majority of those present and entitled to vote.
Art. 31. (1) The right to speak during the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge is reserved to the Chair Masters of the Member Lodges, the Grand Master, the Grand Dignitaries, the Chairman of the Grand Fraternal Court, the Chairman of the Grand Legal Commission, the Chairman of the Grand Ritual Commission, The Chairman of the Commission of Grand Revisions, Old Grand Masters and Chaired Old Masters.
(2) Anyone with the right to speak may request the floor and shall receive it in the order of request. The Grand Master, and after him the Old Grand Master, always take precedence. At the decision of the Chairman, the request for the floor may be made in writing.
(3) After a vote has been taken, it is not possible to take the floor to speak or to make a substantive proposal.
(4) The presiding officer gives the floor and may take it away when the speaker, despite a reminder, does not speak in substance, delays the time for speaking or violates during the speaking the Basic Law of the Grand Lodge.
Art. 32. (1) Public voting is carried out by a show of hands. If necessary, the Presiding Officer appoints vote counters.
(2) Secret voting takes place by submitting ballots or counting.
(3) No one has the right to vote "abstain".
Art. 33. (1) For the holding of elections or removal from office, the General Assembly elects, by express vote and a simple majority of those present and entitled to vote, a Commission for the holding of the elections consisting of three people - a chairman and two members. A brother who has been proposed for election cannot participate in the Election Commission.
(2) The chairman of the election commission shall announce the admissible notes on the ballots and decide on the validity of the submitted ballots and announce the election results.
(3) If, during the first round of elections, the necessary majority is not obtained, a second round / runoff / is held between the two Brothers who have collected the most votes.
(4) The Election Commission draws up a protocol, and the ballots are kept by its Chairman until the appeal period expires, after which they are handed over to the Grand Secretary for safekeeping
Art. 34. (1) Minutes shall be drawn up for the discussions and decisions during the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge. The minutes are kept by the Grand Secretary and contain:
a/ a list of all those who spoke and content of the substantive statements;
b/ an accurate record of all proposals and decisions, as well as the results of votes and elections;
(2) The Grand Secretary shall assist the Chairman. He records on electronic media all speeches and debates from the opening to the closing of the General Assembly. The electronic medium is kept in the archives of the Grand Lodge.
Art. 35. (1) The minutes are reviewed and signed by the Presiding Officer and the Grand Secretary immediately after the closing of the General Assembly. In case of differences of opinion regarding the wording, the Chairman decides.
(2) The Grand Secretary must send the minutes as soon as possible to all Lodges, but not later than one month after the General Meeting of the Grand Lodge.

Section IV
Grand Master

Art. 36. (1) The Grand Master is the highest dignitary of the Grand Lodge.
(2) The Grand Master exercises supreme authority in the Movement between General Meetings of the Grand Lodge.
(3) The authority of the Grand Master is undisputed throughout the Fraternity, and his orders are binding on all Brother Masons. In an open Lodge, no one has the right to call him to order and oppose his orders.
(4) During his term of office, the Grand Master may not hold dignified offices in high degree ritual systems of Freemasonry.
Art. 37. The Grand Master takes the Oath of Induction in the Grand Lodge Temple before a Past Grand Master or the most senior Masonic Chair Master. The text of the Oath is an integral part of the Basic Law /Appendix No. 1/.
Art. 38. (1) The Grand Master has the following powers:
a/ Represents the Grand Lodge and protects its interests;
b/ Manages the work of the Grand Lodge on an ongoing basis and is responsible for its overall activity;
c/ Chairs the Council of Great Dignitaries;
d/ Disposes of the cash and movable property of the Grand Lodge;
e/ Implements and disposes of the budget of the Grand Lodge;
f/ In the cases provided for by the Basic Law, he presides over the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge and leads all Rituals of the Grand Lodge;
g/ Award the honors, with the exception of what is within the exclusive competence of the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge and give awards according to the Basic Law;
h/ "Pulls to sleep" a Member Lodge when unable to perform work simultaneously in all three Symbolic Degrees and "awakens" it when the grounds for "put to sleep" disappear;
and/ Temporarily suspends the Chair Master of a Member Lodge for a period of up to six months;
k/ Proposes for expulsion a Member Lodge.
(2) In addition to everything listed above, the Grand Master has the care that the spirit of Love, Brotherhood and Agreement is preserved between the Brothers, and also that all the members of the Movement of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria spasm the Freemason principles. The Grand Master looks after the whole Building of the Grand Lodge, as well as the life and relations of the Brethren with each other.
(3) In the absence of the Grand Master, he temporarily transfers his duties in writing to a Deputy Grand Master with greater Masonic experience, and if this is not done, the duties are assumed by the same Deputy Grand Master.
Art. 39. During his term of office, the Grand Master has the duty to hear each Chair Master of a Member Lodge, the Grand Dignitaries, the Chairman of the Grand Fraternal Court, the Chairman of the Grand Legal Commission, the Chairman of the Grand Ritual Commission and the Chairman of the Commission on Grand Audits.
Art. 40.(1) /amended by the Supreme Court on 16.05.2009/ In the case of early release from the position of Grand Master before the end of the term due to death, placement under prohibition, in the case of a sentence for an intentional crime of a general nature that has entered into force or leaving of his own accord, the position of Grand Master is filled by a Deputy Grand Master with greater Masonic seniority. In this case, he is obliged to immediately convene an Extraordinary Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge to hold a new election.
(2) A Grand Master elected under the conditions of the preceding paragraph holds office until the term of office of the vacated Grand Master expires. In this case, it is not considered a stand-alone mandate.
(3) Except in cases of refusal to convene an Extraordinary Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge, the Grand Master may be temporarily removed from office in case of particularly serious violations of the Basic Law, established by a Decision of the High Fraternal Court, in compliance with the order of Art. 23, paragraph 4 of the Basic Law.

Section V
Council of Grand Dignitaries

Art. 41. (1) The Council of Grand Dignitaries is the highest collective body of the Grand Lodge.
(2) The Council of Grand Dignitaries includes the Grand Master, the two Deputy Grand Masters, the First Grand Warden, the Second Grand Warden, the Grand Orator, the Grand Secretary, the Grand Treasurer, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, and the Grand Warden.
(3) No remuneration is due to them for the performance of their functions, but the expenses incurred by them during and on the occasion of the performance of their functions are subject to reimbursement from the budget of the Grand Lodge.
Art. 42. The Council of Grand Dignitaries has the following powers:
1/ Makes a decision to introduce Light on received proposals for founding new Lodges;
2/ Gives consent to submit a proposal by the Grand Master to the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge to exclude a Member Lodge;
3/ Gives permission to a Member Lodge to accept Seekers from settlements outside the Orient of the Lodge or to create Hearths of Old Free and Accepted Masons in such places;
4/ Prepares the holding of the General Meeting of the Grand Lodge;
5/ Approves the reports on the activity and financial situation and draft budget prepared for submission to the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge;
6/ Implements the Decisions of the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge;
7/ Gives consent to the appointment and dismissal of employees to the Grand Lodge by the Grand Master;
8/ Assigns the preparation and approves the content of the Annual Bulletin on the state of the Grand Lodge and the Member Lodges of the Movement of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria;
9/ Approves specimens of Patent of Member Lodge, Masonic Passport, Certificate of Degree Master and application for admission of seekers.
Art. 43. The Council of Great Dignitaries adopts the Rules of Procedure for its activities.
Art. 44. (1) The Council of Great Dignitaries can make decisions only if all its members have been regularly invited and more than half of them are present at the meeting. The invitation with instructions for the agenda, date, time and place of the meeting is sent by the Grand Master in advance in a period that gives a normal opportunity for the presence of all who have the right to vote.
(2) The Council of Grand Dignitaries takes decisions by a simple majority of the votes of the members present. In the event of a tie, the Grand Master has the casting vote.
(3) The Council of Grand Dignitaries consents to a proposal by the Grand Master to the General Meeting of the Grand Lodge for the expulsion of a Member Lodge by a two-thirds majority of all its members.
Art. 45. (1) The Council of Grand Dignitaries is convened by the Grand Master at least twice a year. The Council of Grand Dignitaries may be convened in an extraordinary manner at the request of the two Deputy Grand Masters or at least three other members thereof.
(2) The Chairman of the Great Fraternal Court, the Chairman of the Great Legal Commission and the Chairman of the Great Ritual Commission have the right to attend the meetings. They have the right to speeches and motions, but they do not have the right to vote.
(3) For the admission of other Brothers, the Council of Grand Dignitaries decides by voting for each specific case.
Art. 46. (1) Deputy Grand Masters support the overall work of the Grand Master in the full scope of his rights and obligations.
(2) Deputy Grand Masters assume the functions of the Grand Master in the cases provided for in the Basic Law.
Art. 47. The First Grand Warden looks after the internal order and overall condition of the Grand Lodge Temple. Directly supervises the keeping of the Attendance Book. Hears privately the grievances of Brethren against the Grand Master and takes action for fraternal reconciliation. Monitors the observance of Masonic traditions and rituals in his column, both in the Grand Lodge and in the Member Lodges.
Art. 48. The Second Grand Warden looks after the external order in the vestibule of the Grand Lodge Temple and is responsible for the security of the Lodge outside. Together with the Grand Warden, he guarantees the presence of only Regular Member Lodges and regularly initiated Brethren at the building. Directly supervises the activities of the Member Lodges and informs the Grand Master of any problems that arise. He monitors the observance of Masonic traditions and rituals in his column, both in the Grand Lodge and in the Member Lodges.
Art. 49. The First and Second Grand Wardens are jointly responsible for maintaining peace and order in the Grand Lodge, if they notice the Grand Master neglecting his duties - they admonish him, but never in open Lodge.
Art. 50. (1) The Grand Orator is responsible for conforming the activities of the Grand Lodge to Masonic customs and traditions and strictly ensures that the Brothers in the Movement adhere to the norms of behavior of the Freemason inside and outside the Lodge.
(2) Responsible for the spiritual atmosphere in the Grand Lodge.
(3) Take the floor and make speeches in the Grand Lodge on all occasions.
(4) Supervises the proper solicitation and giving of the floor of every Brother in open Lodge, and controls that speeches conform to the proper spirit and tone of Freemasons.
(5) Responsible for building work both in the Grand Lodge and in the Member Lodges.
Art. 51. (1) The Grand Secretary is responsible for all administrative activities in the Movement, keeps the minutes of all meetings of the Grand Lodge and the meetings of the Council of Grand Dignitaries. Lists and stores all archive logs. He is the custodian of the seal of the Grand Lodge and the sole holder of the right to affix it. Head of the Grand Lodge Secretariat and all administrative offices attached to it.
(2) The Grand Secretary is responsible for the timely calling of the Brethren to work on the Building; receives, prepares and offers for work all files; correspond directly with all Fraternal Lodges; signs after the Grand Master all documents and outgoing correspondence of the Grand Lodge; at the end of each Masonic year, he prepares a report on the activities of the Grand Lodge and submits the proposed Plan-program for the coming year.
(3) The Grand Secretary supervises the activity of the secretaries of the Member Lodges and carries out revision of their documentation.
Art. 52. (1) The Grand Treasurer is the custodian and manager of the Movement's property and for this purpose keeps the relevant financial and accounting documentation of the Grand Lodge.
(2) At the end of each quarter, submit to the Secretariat of the Grand Lodge a current report on the state of the Grand Ark; prepares and submits to the attention of the Council of Grand Dignitaries for submission to the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge an annual report on the financial status of the Grand Lodge; prepares and offers to the attention of the Council of Grand Dignitaries for submission to the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge a draft budget for the following year; develops and proposes to the Council of Grand Dignitaries plans for raising funds for the activities of the Grand Lodge; directly responsible for the collection of membership fees and all Mandatory contributions to the Grand Lodge.
(3) The Grand Treasurer oversees the state of the widow's purse and the charitable funds of the Grand Lodge.
(4) Controls the financial status and financial and accounting documentation of the Member Lodges.
Art. 53. (1) The Grand Master of Ceremonies is directly responsible for the performance of all rituals. In conjunction with the First Grand Warden and the Grand Orator, oversees the proper arrangement of the Grand Lodge Temple.
(2) The Grand Master of Ceremonies inspects the appearance of the Brethren before entering the Grand Lodge Temple; invites all Brethren to duly enter in the Attendance Book; indicates the jobs of the Brethren in the Temple; announces the names and positions of all visiting Brethren as they enter the Temple; indicates the order for leaving the Temple.
(3) The Grand Master of Ceremonies supervises, during the work of the Building, that all Brethren take the correct position, perform the correct actions and observe the established Masonic order.
(4) Supervises the activities of the Masters of Ceremonies and all ritual activities of the Member Lodges.
Art. 54. (1) The Grand Warden is the guardian of the steps of the Temple of the Grand Lodge and is responsible for its security, both from the outside and from the inside; responsible for the preservation and protection of the requisites of the Grand Lodge; responsible for lighting in the Lodge Temple.
(2) The Grand Warden supervises the activities of the Wardens in the Member Lodges.
Section VI
Great Fraternal Court

Art. 55. (1) The Great Fraternal Court consists of a Chairman, Deputy Chairman and seven members.
(2) The composition of the Great Fraternal Court is composed of Brethren Masters. The Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Great Fraternal Court must have a university degree in law.
(3) No remuneration is due to them for the performance of their functions, but the expenses incurred by them during and on the occasion of the performance of their functions are subject to reimbursement from the budget of the Grand Lodge.
Art. 56. The Great Fraternal Court adopts Organizational Regulations for its activities.
Art. 57. The Great Fraternal Court is guided in its activities by the following basic rules:
a/ Sanctions against a Brother Mason can only be imposed if he has previously been given the opportunity to speak or give explanations;
b/ A good reconciliation is better than a good judgment;
c/ The legal proceedings should be carried out as quickly as possible;
d/ When making and announcing the Decision, keep in mind the solemn stanza that greets the newly admitted at the threshold of the Temple: "In these bright halls revenge is never taken, and if a person has fallen, love brings him back to his duty";
e/ A Brother against whom a proceeding has been instituted is obliged to assist in clarifying the case, having the right to defense personally or through another Brother Master authorized by him.
f/ The examination of the cases is conducted with the mandatory presence of the affected parties. Exceptionally, the procedure can be conducted in absentia only in case of express refusal of the party to attend or non-appearance, and when regularly summoned.
g/ Sessions of the Great Fraternal Court are not public, unless the composition decides otherwise.
Art. 58. Each Member Lodge establishes a Fraternal Court of three Fraternal Masters in accordance with its Statutes. Such court shall have jurisdiction as a first instance only in disciplinary and arbitration proceedings between Brethren of the Lodge.
Art. 59. The Great Fraternal Court has the following competence:
1). Resolves disputes on organizational issues within the Movement:
a/ disputes between Member Lodges;
b/ disputes between a Member Lodge and the Grand Lodge;
c/ contesting elections carried out in a Member Lodge;
d/ contesting elections held in the Grand Lodge;
e/ challenging the Decision of the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge;
f/ challenging Decision of the Council of Grand Dignitaries of the Grand Lodge;
g/ contestation Decision of the Grand Master.
2). Conducts disciplinary proceedings when:
a/ the behavior of a Brother damages the prestige of the Movement and its organs within it or before civil society;
b/ in case of non-fulfilment of a Decision in arbitration proceedings of the Great Brotherhood Court;
c/ in case of non-implementation of the Decision of the Grand Master and other bodies of the Grand Lodge.
3). Conducts arbitration proceedings on disputes between Brethren from different Member Lodges with the consent of both parties.
Art. 60. (1) The Great Fraternal Court examines cases as the first and only instance, except in cases under Art. 58, when it acts as a second instance.
(2) The Great Fraternal Court pronounces Decisions taken by a majority of two-thirds of the members of the panel, which are signed by all members of the panel. Particular opinions can be formulated.
(3) The decisions of the Great Fraternal Court are final and are not subject to appeal or review.
(4) The Grand Master has the right to pardon punished Brothers under Art. 59, item 2.
Art. 61. (1) The Great Fraternal Court sits in a composition of five people, which is led by the Chairman or Deputy Chairman, and in the cases under Art. 59, item 1 – in a seven-member composition under the leadership of the Chairman of the Great Fraternal Court.
(2) The Grand Fraternal Court is assisted by secretaries and quaestors who are Master Brothers and are appointed by the Chairman or Deputy Chairman for each specific case.
(3) When holding sessions of the Great Fraternal Court, a protocol is drawn up, which is signed by the chairman of the panel and the secretary.
Art. 62. Recusals and self-recusals of Members of the composition of the Great Fraternal Court are allowed only in the cases under Article 59, item 2 and item 3, when there are reasonable doubts of partiality.
Art. 63. In cases under Art. 59, Item 2, the Great Fraternal Court may impose the following punishments:
a/ Note;
b/ Reprimand;
c/ Exemption from holding elective office or prohibition of holding elective office of Grand dignitaries without the Grand Master, as well as elective positions in the Grand Fraternal Court and the commissions of the Grand Lodge for the term of one term;
d/ Exclusion from the Movement of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria.
Art. 64. The Great Fraternal Court initiates cases after being referred as follows:
1). According to art. 59, paragraph 1, b."a" - by the Master of the chair of the Member Lodge;
2). According to Art. 59, para. 1, b.”b” - by the Grand Master or Chair Master of a Member Lodge;
3). According to Art. 59, paragraph 1, b."c" - by each Brother Master from the respective Member Lodge;
4). According to Art. 59, para. 1, b."d" - by a Member Lodge through the Chair Master or another Brother Master who participated in the elections according to Art. 18, item 2, the Chairman of the Great Legal Commission and by a candidate for the relevant position.
5). According to art. 59, para. 1, b."d" - by the Grand Master, the Council of Grand Dignitaries, the Chairman of the Great Legal Commission and by the Master of the chair of the Member Lodge;
6). According to art. 59, para. 1, b."f" - by the Master of the Chair of a Member Lodge and the Chairman of the Great Legal Commission;
7). According to Art. 59, paragraph 1, b."g" - by the Master of the Chair of a Member Lodge and the Chairman of the Grand Legal Commission.
8). According to Art. 59, para. 2, b."a" - by the Grand Master, the Chair Master of a Member Lodge and the Chairman of the Grand Legal Commission;
9). According to Art. 59, para. 2, b.”b” - by the affected party in arbitration proceedings;
10). According to art. 59, para. 2, b."c" - by the Grand Master or by the body of the Grand Lodge;
11). According to Art. 59, para. 3 – from the affected party.
Art. 65. (1) When considering and deciding the cases under Art. 59, paragraph 1, the Great Fraternal Court makes judgments only on legality.
(2) When considering and deciding the cases under Art. 59, para. 2 and para. 3, the Great Fraternal Court makes an assessment of legality and compliance with Masonic morals, traditions and customs.
Art. 66. (1) All appeals under Art. 59 are submitted to the Chairman of the Great Fraternal Court and proceed to him, and in case of his absence - to the Deputy Chairman.
(2) The Chairman of the Great Fraternal Court is obliged to initiate proceedings on every complaint received and to appoint a panel within three days after the complaint is received by him.
(3) The composition of the Great Fraternal Court, considering the relevant proceedings, shall rule on its competence to decide the case. He cannot refuse to consider the case in cases where the prerequisites under Art. 59 are present.
Art. 67. (1) The summons of the parties shall be carried out by the Chairman of the panel through the secretary in an appropriate manner within one week after the initiation of the proceedings.
(2) The composition of the court is obliged to give the interested parties the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the case materials in an appropriate period before the hearing, which will give them the opportunity to prepare.
(3) The case shall be considered by the panel in a suitable period, but no later than one month from the receipt of the complaint by the Chairman of the Great Fraternal Court.
(4) The composition of the court renders a Decision within one week after the hearing.
(5) The Great Fraternal Court shall notify the parties of its decision on organizational matters and arbitration proceedings by sending them each a copy of it.
(6) In disciplinary proceedings, the decision of the Great Fraternal Court is communicated to the parties. When a punishment is imposed on a Grand Dignitary, a member of the Grand Fraternal Court or a member of a commission of the Grand Lodge, the Grand Fraternal Court sends a copy of its decision to the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge, and in all other cases to the Chair Master of the respective Member Lodge.
Section VII
Great Law Commission

Art. 68. (1) The Great Legal Commission consists of a Chairman, a Deputy Chairman and five members.
(2) The composition of the Great Legal Commission is composed of Master Brothers, and all of them must necessarily have a higher legal education.
(3) No remuneration is due to them for the performance of their functions, but the expenses incurred by them during and on the occasion of the performance of their functions are subject to reimbursement from the budget of the Grand Lodge.
Art. 69. The Great Legal Commission adopts the Rules of Procedure for its activities.
Art. 70. Each Member Lodge, in accordance with its Statutes, may establish a Legal Commission of three Brother Masters. Such a committee is competent to consider matters within the Lodge only.
Art. 71. The main task of the Grand Legal Commission is to protect, improve and interpret Masonic Law.
Art. 72. The Great Legal Commission has the following competence:
a/ Drafts projects for amendments and additions to the Basic Law of the Grand Lodge of Bulgaria;
b/ Draws up a standard Statute of a Member Lodge;
c/ Checks the compliance of the Statutes of the Member Lodges with the Basic Law of the Movement of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria and the Masonic customs and traditions, and if necessary gives mandatory instructions to remove the gaps and errors;
d/ Checks the compliance of the Decisions of the Grand Master and the Council of Grand Dignitaries with the Basic Law of the Movement of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria and the Masonic customs and traditions, and if necessary gives mandatory instructions to remove the gaps and errors;
e/ Checks the compliance of the Organizational Regulations of the Council of Grand Dignitaries, the Grand Fraternal Court, the Grand Ritual Commission and the Commission of Grand Auditors with the Basic Law of the Movement of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria and Masonic customs and traditions, giving mandatory instructions if necessary to eliminate omissions and errors;
f/ Prepares advisory opinions and provides methodological assistance on legal issues;
g/ Acts as a committee on proposals when convening a General Assembly of the Grand Lodge and submits the received proposals to the General Assembly, ruling in advance on their legality;
h/ The Grand Legal Commission independently has the right to proposals and initiatives to the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge, the Grand Master, the Council of Grand Dignitaries and the Member Lodges in order to implement the protection, improvement and interpretation of the Masonic Law.
Art. 73. (1) The Great Legal Commission meets in a composition of three people, which is led by the Chairman or Deputy Chairman, and in the cases of art. 72, b."a" and b."h" in a composition of five people, which is led by the Chairman.
(2) The Grand Legal Commission is assisted by Secretaries who are Brother Masters and are appointed by the President or Deputy President for each specific case.
(3) The Great Legal Commission may invite experts and consultants who are Brethren to participate in its work. They are determined by the Chairman or Deputy Chairman, depending on who leads the panel. Experts and consultants have the right to an advisory opinion, but they cannot be present when the decisions are made.
Art. 74. (1) The Great Legal Commission examines issues within its competence as the first and only instance.
(2) The Great Legal Commission pronounces Decisions taken by a simple majority of the members of the composition, which are signed by all members of the composition. Particular opinions can be formulated.
(3) The decisions of the Great Legal Commission are final and are not subject to appeal or review.
(4) When holding meetings of the Great Legal Commission, a protocol is drawn up, which is signed by the Chairman of the panel and the secretary.
Art. 75. Recusals and self-recusals of members of the composition of the Great Legal Commission are not allowed.
Art. 76. The Grand Legal Commission initiates proceedings after being referred by the Grand Master or the Chair Master of a Member Lodge, and by a Grand Dignitary, the President of the Grand Fraternal Court, the President of the Grand Ritual Commission or the President of the Commission of Grand Auditors - within their competence .
Art. 77. (1) All requests are submitted to the Chairman of the Great Legal Commission and are processed by him.
(2) The Chairman of the Great Legal Commission is obliged to initiate a procedure and appoint a panel within three days after receiving the request.
(3) The composition of the Great Legal Commission, considering the relevant procedure, decides on its competence to decide the request. He cannot refuse consideration of the request when the prerequisites of Art. 72 are present.
Art. 78. (1) The meetings of the Great Legal Commission are not public, unless the composition decides otherwise.
(2) The review of the procedures is conducted with the mandatory presence of the interested parties. Exceptionally, the procedure can be conducted in absentia only in the event of the party's express refusal to attend or in case of non-appearance /in person or by proxy/ when the party is regularly summoned.
Art. 79. (1) The summoning of the interested parties is carried out by the Chairman of the panel through the secretary within one week after the initiation of the procedure.
(2) The composition of the Great Legal Commission is obliged to give the interested parties the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the materials of the procedure in an appropriate period before the meeting, which will give them the opportunity to prepare.
(3) The procedure is considered by a panel in an appropriate period, but no later than one month from the receipt of the request by the Chairman of the Great Legal Commission.
(4) The composition of the Great Legal Commission renders a Decision within one week after the meeting.
(5) A certified copy of the Decision is sent immediately to the interested parties.
Section VIII
Great Ritual Commission

Art. 80. (1) The Great Ritual Commission consists of a Chairman and two members.
(2) The Grand Ritual Commission is composed of Master Brothers.
(3) No remuneration is due to them for the performance of their functions, but the expenses incurred by them during and on the occasion of the performance of their functions are subject to reimbursement from the budget of the Grand Lodge.
Art. 81. (1) The Great Ritual Commission shall adopt the Rules of Procedure for its activities.
(2) Creation of Ritual Committees in the Member Lodges is not allowed.
Art. 82. The main task of the Great Ritual Commission is to monitor the implementation and work for the improvement of the Rituals of the Movement.
Art. 83. The Grand Ritual Commission has the following competence:
a/ Compile Trebnik with the Rituals of the Movement;
b/ Make proposals for changes in the current or introduction of new Rituals in the Movement of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria;
c/ Prepares advisory opinions and provides methodical assistance on ritual issues.
Art. 84. (1) The Great Ritual Commission sits in a composition of three people and pronounces Decisions taken by a simple majority, which are signed by all its members. Particular opinions can be formulated.
(2) The decisions of the Grand Ritual Commission for changes in the existing or introduction of new Rituals in the Movement of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria are subject to approval by the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge.
(3) The Great Ritual Commission is assisted by secretaries who are Master Brothers and are appointed for each specific case by the Chairman of the commission.
(4) The Great Ritual Commission may invite experts and consultants who are Master Brothers to participate in its work. They are determined by the Chairman. Experts and consultants have the right to an advisory opinion, but they cannot be present when the decisions are made.
(5) When holding the meetings of the Great Ritual Commission, a protocol is drawn up, which is signed by the Chairman and the secretary.
Art. 85. (1) The Grand Ritual Commission initiates a procedure after being referred by the Chair Master of a Member Lodge, the Grand Master or the Grand Master of Ceremonies.
(2) In all cases falling within its competence, the Great Ritual Commission may refer itself.
Art. 86. (1) All requests shall be submitted to the Chairman of the Great Ritual Commission and shall be processed by him.
(2) The Chairman of the Great Ritual Commission is obliged to initiate a procedure within three days after receiving the request.
(3) The Great Ritual Commission shall rule according to its competence. It cannot refuse consideration of the request when the prerequisites of Article 83 are present.
Art. 87. (1) The meetings of the Great Ritual Commission are not public, unless it itself decides otherwise.
(2) The examination of the procedures is conducted in the mandatory presence of the interested parties and in all cases of the Grand Master of Ceremonies.
Art. 88. (1) The calling of the interested parties is carried out by the Chairman through the secretary within one week from the initiation of the procedure.
(2) The Great Ritual Commission is obliged to give the interested parties the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the materials of the procedure in an appropriate period before the meeting, which will give them the opportunity to prepare.
(3) The procedure is considered by a suitable deadline, but no later than one month from the receipt of the request by the Chairman of the Great Ritual Commission.
(4) The Great Ritual Commission issues a decision within one week after the meeting.
(5) A copy of the decision is sent immediately to the interested parties and submitted to the Secretariat of the Grand Lodge for submission to the next General Assembly for approval, when this is provided for in the Basic Law.
Section IX
Commission of the Grand Auditors

Art. 89. (1) The Commission of the Great Auditors consists of a Chairman and two members.
(2) The composition of the Commission of Grand Auditors is composed of Master Brothers, all of whom should have a higher education in the field of accounting or finance.
(3) No remuneration is due to them for the performance of their functions, but the expenses incurred by them during and on the occasion of the performance of their functions are subject to reimbursement from the budget of the Grand Lodge.
Art. 90. The Commission of the Great Auditors adopts the Rules of Procedure for its activities.
Art. 91. The Commission of Great Auditors has the following competence:
a/ Exercises constant control over the management of the property of the Grand Lodge;
b/ Performs financial audits and checks of the activity of the Grand Treasurer;
c/ Controls the implementation of the annual budget of the Grand Lodge, prepares the income and expenditure report and the balance sheet;
d/ Prepares an annual report on its activities.
Art. 92. The Commission of Great Auditors sits in a composition of three people and renders decisions by a simple majority, which are signed by all its members. Particular opinions can be formulated.
Art. 93. The Commission of Grand Auditors is assisted by Secretaries who are Brother Masters and are appointed on a case-by-case basis by the President.
Art. 94. The Commission of Grand Auditors may invite experts and consultants who are Brethren to participate in its work. They are determined by the Chairman. Experts and consultants have the right to an advisory opinion, but they cannot be present when the decisions are made.
Art. 95. When holding the meetings of the Commission of the Great Auditors, a protocol is drawn up, which is signed by the Chairman and the secretary.
Art. 96. (1) The meetings of the Commission of the Great Auditors are not public, unless it itself decides otherwise.
(2) The Grand Treasurer shall be invited to consider the questions.
(3) A certified copy of the decision of the Commission of Grand Auditors shall be submitted to the secretariat of the Grand Lodge.
Art. 97. The annual report of the Commission of Grand Auditors is presented to the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge by its President.

Chapter Three
Lodges of Old Free and Accepted Masons

Section I
Member Lodge Status

Art. 98. (1) The Masonic lodge is a fraternal community of Freemasons. It is the traditional successor of the old stonemason's cooperatives and is the workshop in which the freemasons build human perfection.
(2) The Masonic Lodge is the basic structure in the Freemasonry Movement. It is a free self-governing association operating in accordance with the Basic Law of the Movement of Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria, Masonic customs and traditions and its Statute.
Art. 99. (1) Only Regular and legally competent Lodges may be members of the Grand Lodge.
(2) Each Member Lodge must register as an association under the Non-Profit Legal Entities Act.
Art. 100. (1) A Lodge is Regular and Legally Personable after the Grand Master Brings Light into it and after the entry in the Register of Member Lodges and the issuance of a patent. From that moment she became a member of the Grand Lodge.
(2) The decision to bring Light into a new Lodge is made by the Council of Great Dignitaries.
Art. 101. (1) A new Lodge may be founded only at the request of at least nine Freemason Brothers. At least seven of them must be Master Masons, which means that they must all be active or have been members of Regular and Legally Competent Lodges, or recognized as such.
(2) The application for founding a New Lodge, accompanied by minutes signed by all the Brethren under the preceding paragraph, is sent to the Grand Master through the Grand Secretary.
(3) The Council of Grand Dignitaries makes a decision to bring Light into the New Lodge on the proposal of the Grand Master within three months after the receipt of the application.
(4) When the Brethren desiring to found a New Lodge are hitherto members of the same Lodge, the Council of Grand Dignitaries shall decide to bring Light into the New Lodge after receiving written consent signed by the Chair Master of the Lodge in which members of the Brethren and after it has been established that the Brethren have no pecuniary debts to their previous Lodge or unrevoked penalties.
(5) When the Brethren desiring to found a New Lodge are members of different Lodges up to that point, the Council of Grand Dignitaries shall decide to bring Light into the New Lodge after receiving written consent signed by the Chair Masters of the Lodges in which the Brethren are members and after it is ascertained that the Brethren have no pecuniary debts to their former Lodges or unrevoked penalties.
(6) In case of refusal, the Brethren wishing to found a New Lodge may appeal the Decision of the Council of Grand Dignitaries to the next Regular Ordinary General Meeting of the Grand Lodge, which is decided on the merits and its Decision is final.
(7) In the case of a refusal confirmed by the General Assembly, a new application by the same Brothers may be submitted no earlier than one year from the submission of the previous application.
Art. 102. (1) The introduction of Light is carried out by the Grand Master within three months after the decision made by the Council of Grand Dignitaries.
(2) Light may not be imported when less than three months remain until the date of the Regular Grand General Meeting of the Grand Lodge.
Art. 103. (1) The bodies, management and representation of the Lodge, as well as the rights and obligations of its members, are determined by the Statute of the Lodge. The Statute must be in accordance with the Basic Law, which is checked by the Great Legal Commission.
(2) The bodies of the Lodge are the General Assembly, the Chair Master and the Council of Dignitaries. The Council of Dignitaries consists of: the Chair Master, the First Warden, the Second Warden, the Speaker, the Secretary, the Master of Ceremonies and the Warden. Each Lodge may provide in its Bylaws as members of the Council of Dignitaries a Deputy Chair Master and a Treasurer.
(3) The General Assembly is the supreme body of the Lodge. The right to vote in the General Meeting of the Lodge is only available to the members of the Lodge of Brethren Masters.
(4) The Master of the Chair carries out the management and representation of the Lodge.
(5) The Council of Dignitaries assists the Chair Master in his work.
Art. 104. (1) The Master of the Chair and the other members of the Council of Dignitaries are elected by the General Meeting of the Lodge by secret ballot. A Brother Master who has served at least one term as a dignitary in the Lodge may be proposed and elected as Chair Master.
(2) The elections under the previous paragraph are held up to two months before New Year's Day, with the elected dignitaries taking office on New Year's Day.
(3) The names and addresses of the members of the Council of Dignitaries shall be sent to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge immediately after their election.
Art. 105. (1) Each Lodge is represented before the Grand Lodge by the Chair Master. He submits an annual report on the state of his Lodge.
(2) The responsibilities of the Chair Master for the observance of Masonic customs and traditions necessarily include the performance of ritual activity in the Lodge at least once a month, excluding the vacation period.
(3) Upon any request by the Grand Master, the Chair Master shall furnish information about his Lodge.
Art. 106. (1) Each of the Lodges that are members of the Grand Lodge shall pay a Mandatory Contribution to the Grand Lodge. The amount of the Mandatory Contribution depends on the number of members of the respective Member Lodge.
(2) The Obligatory Contribution is payable to the Grand Lodge from the moment of the contribution of Light.
(3) Non-payment of the Mandatory Contribution for the previous year automatically leads to deprivation of the Member Lodge from the right to vote in the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge, regardless of its type.
Art. 107. Each Lodge works according to the Rituals defined in the Basic Law, and cannot arbitrarily change them.
Art. 108. (1) A member Lodge is declared "dormant" by the Grand Master if it is unable to perform ritual activity simultaneously in all three Symbolic Degrees.
(2) The Grand Master may declare a Member Lodge "dormant" after hearing all Brother Masters of the Lodge who wish to give an opinion.
(3) The "dormant" Lodge continues its existence as a Member Lodge in the Grand Lodge for a period of up to one year. During the period during which the Member Lodge remains "dormant", it does not have the right to vote in the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge, regardless of its type.
(4) Grounds for "sleeping" cease when the Lodge is again able to perform Ritual activity in all three Symbolic Degrees. The Grand Master is obliged to issue a decision on the "awakening" of the Lodge, after at least seven Master Brothers, members of the Lodge, declare to him in writing their desire to perform a ritual action in the three Symbolic Degrees.
Art. 109. The membership of a Lodge in the Grand Lodge shall be terminated in the following cases:
1). Self-dissolution;
2). Leaving the Grand Lodge;
3). Expulsion from the Grand Lodge.
Art. 110. (1) A decision on self-dissolution of the Lodge is taken by the General Assembly in accordance with the requirements of the Statute of the Lodge. In order for the self-dissolution decision to enter into force, it must be reconfirmed in the order it was taken after the expiration of six months.
(2) In all cases, the decision on self-dissolution of the Lodge is invalid if seven Master Brothers - members of the Lodge declare for its further existence.
Art. 111. (1) The decision to leave the Grand Lodge is taken by the General Assembly with a majority of two-thirds of the members of the Master Brothers Lodge and in accordance with the requirements of the Statute of the Lodge. In order for the decision to leave to take effect, it must be reconfirmed in the order it was taken after the expiration of six months.
(2) Immediately thereafter the Resolution to leave the Grand Lodge must be presented in writing to the Grand Secretary, at which time the membership shall be deemed to have ceased.
(3) In the event that at least nine Brethren, seven of whom are Brethren Masters, are against leaving the Grand Lodge, the Member Lodge remains Regular and Legally Competent as part of the Grand Lodge.
Art.112.(1) A proposal to exclude a Member Lodge may be submitted to the Ordinary General Meeting of the Grand Lodge only by the Grand Master, who has been given consent to this by a two-thirds majority of all members of the Council of Grand Dignitaries. Grounds for this can only be extremely serious violations of the Basic Law, Masonic customs and traditions and the Statutes of the Member Lodge. Before making such a proposal, the Grand Master must request a written opinion from the Grand Legal Commission and/or the Grand Ritual Commission.
(2) The decision to expel a Member Lodge is taken by an Ordinary General Meeting of the Grand Lodge with a two-thirds majority of the Lodges present and entitled to vote. Before deciding to expel a Member Lodge, the Ordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge is obliged to hear the Chair Master and at least two other Brother Masters of the respective Lodge, when they have expressed their desire to do so in writing

Section II
Relations between Member Lodges

Art. 113. (1) Each Member Lodge freely maintains relations with other Member Lodges within the Movement and may sign memorandums of joint activity.
(2) The Lodges that have signed the memorandum cannot make joint decisions about the method of voting in the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge.
Art. 114. The member Lodges can carry out joint constructions and conduct joint ritual activity.
Art. 115. Member Lodges may establish joint Lodges of Old Free and Accepted Masons under the terms of Chapter Five of this Act.

Chapter Four
Membership in Lodges

Section I
General conditions

Art. 116. (1) Every Brother Freemason must work in a Regular and Legally Competent Lodge. Therefore, if the Lodge in which he works dissolves itself or is declared "dormant", he has the right to seek affiliation as a member of another Lodge.
(2) The Freemason brother is obliged to cooperate with all the forces of the work in the Lodge of which he is a member.
Art. 117. When a Brother Freemason is elected to a certain position in the Movement, he must conscientiously fulfill the functions assigned to him and has no right to leave the position he holds without valid reasons.
Art. 118. (1) The Freemason brother has the right to visit all Regular and Legally Competent Lodges, members of the Movement of Old Free and Accepted Masons in the Republic of Bulgaria, if he is admitted according to the procedure defined in the Statute of the respective Lodge.
(2) The Freemason brother has the right to visit all Regular and Legal Lodges abroad with which the Lodge of which he is a member is twinned.
(3) Brother Freemason has the right to visit all Regular and Legal Lodges abroad. He cannot represent the Grand Lodge or the Lodge of which he is a member unless he has been issued with a letter of cover by the Grand Master.
(4) The Freemason brother may maintain contacts with members of other Freemason formations, but he has no right to be a member of them and participate in their ritual activities.
Section II
Accepting Seekers

Art. 119. (1) Only Seekers who live or work in their Orient may be admitted to the Member Lodges. Exceptions are allowed only with the permission of the Council of Grand Dignitaries based on a reasoned written proposal from the Chair Master of the respective Lodge.
(2) Anyone against whom there are pending criminal proceedings for an intentional crime of a general nature or who has been convicted of such a crime cannot be a Searcher.
Art.120.(1) Any Brother Master, a member of the relevant Lodge, who is obliged to vouch for him, can make a proposal to accept a Seeker. Such an offer may also be made by Brother Apprentices and Journeymen through a Brother Master. In this case, the respective Brother Master becomes the guarantor.
(2) The Guarantor should familiarize the Seeker with the basic principles, principles and goals of Freemasonry, as well as with his obligations after his acceptance.
(3) The applicant submits a written application, accompanied by a curriculum vitae and two photographs.
(4) The Guarantor delivers the Seeker's application together with his written guarantee to the Secretary of the Lodge, who reports them during the First Degree Ritual.
Art. 121. (1) The personal data of the Seeker and the guarantee are kept by the Secretary and are available to the Masonic Brothers of the Lodge, according to the order provided in its Statute. The secretary is obliged to communicate the expressed doubts to the guarantor, so that the latter can refute them or withdraw his offer.
(2) Within a period not less than 14 days and not more than three months from the notification under Art. 117, para. 4, the Chair Master of the Lodge shall schedule a date for discussion and voting of the candidacy.
Art. 122. (1) Discussion and voting take place during ritual work in the First Degree.
(2) Before starting the discussion, the application and the guarantee shall be read. All Masonic Brothers from the Lodge have the right to participate in the discussion. The guarantor must be present in person. He may in writing authorize another Brother Master to represent him, stating the reason for his absence.
(3) After the discussion is over, a vote is taken. It is carried out by balling only by the present Master Brothers of the respective Lodge.
(4) Balling is done by dropping white and black balls. The Master of the Chair of the Lodge ascertains the result and announces it.
(5) If only white balls are found in the urn, the tossing is "light".
(6) In the event of up to three black balls being found, their dropping must be justified to the Chair Master of the Lodge within three days of the person so voting. If no such justification is made, or if the Chair Master does not accept the justification as valid, the balling is declared "luminous" at the next First Degree Ritual. In the event that the Chair Master accepts the arguments of at least one Brother Master who released a black ball, the Seeker's acceptance is deferred for one year, which is announced at the next First Degree Ritual.
(7) In the event that more than three black balls are found, but less than one-third of the total number of balls played, the Seeker's admission shall be deferred for one year. If the reballing after one year ends in the same result, then the Seeker is forever rejected from this Lodge.
(8) In the event that one-third or more black balls are found already at the initial ball, the Seeker is forever rejected from the Movement.
Art. 123. The Seeker's reception takes place during ritual work in the First Degree. Only after the ritual initiation does the Seeker become a Freemason by receiving a Symbolic Apprentice Degree.
Section III
Incorporation of Fraternal Freemasons

Art. 124. Incorporation of Brethren Freemasons takes place when they are itinerant or when they wish to be members of more than one Lodge.
Art. 125. (1) A Brother who was a member of a Regular and Legally Competent Lodge, entered in the Register of the Grand Lodge of Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria and terminated his membership as a result of leaving the Lodge of his own volition or self-dissolution of The lodge.
(2) Anyone who was a member of a Regular and Legally Competent foreign Lodge and who terminated his membership as a result of leaving the Lodge at his own will or the Lodge's self-dissolution is also considered a wandering Brother Mason. This fact is established by the Grand Secretary after an inspection carried out by him.
Art. 126. Each Brother Mason can be a member of both the Lodge in which he was admitted and the Lodge in the Orient of his place of residence or place of work. In this case he is obliged to pay membership fees in full in both Lodges, but may hold office in only one of them.
Art. 127. Application for admission is addressed to the Chair Master of the Lodge. A copy of the Masonic Passport or another equivalent document is attached to it.
Art. 128. (1) The Master of the Chair of the Lodge acquaints all Brothers of the relevant and higher Degrees than that of the applying Brother with the received application according to the order provided in the Statute of the Lodge.
(2) All possible objections must be submitted to him in writing within 14 days. If no objections are received within this period, the request is considered automatically accepted and the petitioner can immediately join the regular work of the Lodge while retaining the degree he holds.
(3) If an objection is received within the specified period, the Master of the Chair refers the matter for decision to the Council of Dignitaries of the Lodge. If the person who made the objection maintains it before the Council of Dignitaries of the Lodge, the final decision is taken by the General Assembly of the Lodge within a period of one month by a simple majority of the Brethren Masters present, observing the method of voting defined in the Statute of the Lodge.
Art. 129. A Masonic Brother who has voluntarily left the Lodge may apply for reinstatement to the same Lodge, which shall be considered and decided in accordance with this Section.
Section IV
Raising Brothers in Degree

Art. 130. The symbolic Degrees in the Movement of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria are:
1).First Degree: Apprentice
2).Second Degree: Journeyman
3).Third Degree: Master
Art. 131. (1) Proposals for the promotion of Apprentices to Journeymen and Journeymen to Masters can be made by any Brother Master of the respective Lodge according to the procedure provided for in the Statute of the Lodge. Proposals are motivated.
(2) Advancement from one degree to another may be effected when the Brother has given evidence of progress in mastering the Craft and has spent at least one full Masonic year in the previous Degree. Masonic seniority is calculated from the date of the Ritual receiving of the Degree.
(3) When a Brother Mason has given special evidence of Masonic maturity and attachment to the Movement of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria or extremely important interests of the Member Lodge require this, the Master of a chair may request, with a reasoned application to the Grand Master, exceptional permission for shortening the period of residence in one of the Symbolic degrees according to the previous paragraph.
Art. 132. (1) The proposal for promotion to the Journeyman Degree is discussed and decided during ritual work in the Second Degree.
(2) After the discussion is over, a vote is taken. It is carried out by balling only by the present Master Brothers of the respective Lodge. The decision is taken by a simple majority.
(3) The Apprentice's raising to Journeyman takes place at ritual work in the Second Degree. Only after this ritual elevation does the Apprentice receive a Symbolic Degree Journeyman.
Art. 133. (1) The proposal for elevation to the Master Degree is discussed and decided during ritual work in the Third Degree.
(2) After the discussion is over, a vote is taken. It is carried out by means of balling by the present Master Brothers of the respective Lodge. The decision is taken by a simple majority.
(3) The raising of the Journeyman to Master takes place at ritual work in the Third Degree. It is only after this ritual elevation that the Journeyman receives the Symbolic Master Degree and is issued a master's certificate.
Art. 134. Only the attainment of the Symbolic Master Degree gives a Freemason full Masonic rights.

Section V
Falling asleep

Art. 135. (1) Every Masonic Brother has the right to announce in writing the suspension of his active membership in the Lodge for a period of up to one Madonna year. During this period he is entitled to receive information about life in the Lodge and to participate in profane appearances of the Movement.
(2) During the period of dormancy, the Masonic Brother is obliged to pay membership fees to the Lodge in full.
Art. 136. A dormant Brother Mason may at any time announce in writing his awakening. In the event that, within the specified period under Article 132, paragraph 1, the sleeper does not announce his awakening or falling asleep again, he is considered to have left.
Section VI
Membership transfer

Art.137.(1) Every Brother Freemason who is a member of a Regular and Legally Competent Lodge has the right to request in writing the transfer of his membership to another Regular and Legally Competent Lodge in the Movement after he has fully fulfilled his financial obligations for the current year to the Lodge, in which is a member and has surrendered the funds or other property in it to the Lodge.
(2) The transfer is carried out on the basis of a written protocol signed by the Two Chair Masters, in which it is certified that the transferee has fully fulfilled his financial obligations to the Lodge of which he was a member.
(3) In the presence of an explicitly expressed desire and in accordance with the Statute of the Lodge in which he was a member, the transferee has the right to keep its distinctive sign.
Art. 138. Upon transfer, the Brother retains the Symbolic Ritual Degree he holds.

Section VII
Termination of membership in the Lodge

Art. 139. A Brother Mason's membership in the Lodge shall be terminated upon:
1). Death;
2). Placement under interdiction;
3). Conviction with an effective sentence for an intentional crime of a general nature;
4).Leaving without transfer to another Lodge;
5).Shutdown.
Art. 140. A Brother Mason's membership shall be automatically terminated upon his death or incarceration.
Art. 141. (1) The departure of a Masonic Brother without transfer to another Lodge is carried out by submitting a written application to the Chair Master, and it takes effect immediately, unless the Statute of the Lodge provides otherwise. Regardless of the above, the leaver is obliged to pay his membership fee by the end of the current year, hand over the money or other property he has in his possession to the Lodge.
(2) The leaver has the right to receive a certificate that he has fulfilled his financial obligations to the Lodge, but is obliged to return all Masonic paraphernalia found in him, and may retain the insignia of the Lodge if this is in accordance with the Statutes and .
Art. 142. (1) Exclusion of Brother Mason from the Lodge without examination by the Fraternal Court of the Lodge may be carried out if the Statute of the Lodge provides, in the event that:
a/ during one Masonic year, he did not participate without valid reasons in the ritual work of the Lodge;
b/ has not paid membership fees to the Lodge for more than one calendar year without valid reasons.
(2) Exclusion of a Brother Mason under the preceding paragraph is decided during ritual work in the Third Degree with a majority of two-thirds of the present Master Brothers of the Lodge by balloting.
(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Masonic Brother may be expelled for gross violations of the Basic Law, Masonic traditions and customs of the Lodge Statutes by decision of the Fraternal Court of the Lodge.
Chapter Five
Hearths of Old Free and Accepted Masons

Art. 143. The Hearth of Old Free and Accepted Masons is being created with the aim of spreading the ideas of Free Masonry in Bulgaria and creating prerequisites for founding Regular and Legal Lodges.
Art.144.(1) Each Member Lodge /Mother Lodge/ may establish a Masonic Hearth in a populated place located in an Orient not occupied by another Member Lodge. The decision for this is made in accordance with its Statute, as a necessary prerequisite is that at least five Masonic Brothers, members of the Mother Lodge, have a place of residence or place of work in this locality.
(2) Consent for the establishment of a Masonic Hearth is given by the Council of Grand Dignitaries upon a written proposal of the Chair Master of the Mother Lodge.
Art. 145. (1) The Chair Master of the Mother Lodge appoints a Brother Master from the composition of the Mother Lodge to be in charge of the Hearth.
(2) The person in charge organizes and reports the activities of the Masonic Hearth in accordance with the Statute of the Mother Lodge.
(3) The Masonic Hearth cannot carry out an independent ritual activity.
Art. 146. The Masonic Hearth can grow into a Regular and Legal Lodge when the conditions for its foundation are met and.
Art. 147. (1) The Mother Lodge may, under all circumstances, dissolve the Masonic Hearth in accordance with the procedure provided for in its Statute by notifying the Council of Grand Dignitaries in writing.

Chapter Six
Old Grand Masters and Chaired Old Masters

Art. 148. (1) The honorary titles of Old Grand Master and Old Chair Master are rightfully acquired by that Brother who was elected and occupied the corresponding position, regardless of the duration of this occupation.
(2) In the spirit of Masonic traditions and customs, Old Grand Masters and Chaired Old Masters are held in special respect in the Movement.
Art. 149. The Old Grand Masters have the right to participate and speak in the General Assembly and in the meetings of the Council of Grand Dignitaries of the Grand Lodge.
Art. 150. Chaired Old Masters have the right to participate and speak in the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge.

Chapter Seven
Masonic honors, distinctive
badges and rewards

Art.151.(1) The Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge introduces and cancels the Masonic honors within the Movement of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria and adopts their Statutes /including – the degrees, the appearance, the body that offers them, the body, who awards them and the conditions for awarding them/, as the Statutes of honors within the Movement are an integral part - appendices of the Basic Law.
(2) Honors awarded by Lodges outside the Movement of Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria can only be accepted if these Lodges are Regular and Legally Capable. The wearing of these honors is permitted only in the Lodge of which the honoree is a member, at the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge and when visiting the Lodge that awarded the honor.
Art. 152. Each Member Lodge has the right to its own distinctive sign, which is defined in the Statute. Every Brother who is a member of the Lodge is obliged to wear the distinctive mark when participating in ritual work in the Movement.
Art. 153. The Chair Master and the Dignitaries of each Member Lodge have official insignia for the office held. They are required to wear these insignias in ritual work in the Lodge and in the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge. Only the Master of a chair or a Brother authorized by him to replace him wears his insignia even when visiting another Lodge for ritual activity.
Art. 154. The Grand Master, the members of the Council of Grand Dignitaries, the Chairman of the Grand Fraternal Court, the Chairman of the Grand Legal Commission, the Chairman of the Grand Ritual Commission and the Chairman of the Commission of Grand Auditors have official insignia for the position held in the Grand Lodge / their description is an integral part of the Basic Law - Appendix No. 2/. They are required to wear these insignias in ritual work in Grand Lodge and when attending Rituals of Member Lodges. Only the Grand Master and Deputy Grand Masters are entitled to wear their insignia in ritual work in the Lodge of which they are members.
Art.155.(1) On jubilee occasions and services to the Movement of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria, the Grand Master may award Member Lodges on the proposal of the Council of Grand Dignitaries or Brother Mason on the proposal of the relevant Master on a chair with a special diploma and /or subject prize.
(2) The Chair Master may award a Brother Mason of the Lodge with a special diploma and/or a subject award in accordance with the Statutes of the Member Lodge.

Chapter Eight
Penalties and other procedures

Art. 156. A Member Lodge may impose the following penalties under the conditions provided for in the Basic Law and its Statutes:
1). Note;
2). Rebuke;
3). Dismissal from elective office or prohibition to hold elective office in the Lodge for the term of one term;
4). Expulsion from the Lodge.
Art. 157. The Great Fraternal Court may impose the following punishments under the conditions provided for in the Basic Law:
1). Note;
2). Rebuke;
3). Dismissal from elective office or prohibition from holding elective office in the Grand Lodge;
4). Exclusion from the Movement of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria.
Art. 158. (1) Temporary removal from office within the meaning of this Basic Law is not a punishment.
(2) The "sleeping" of the right to vote of a Member Lodge, the "sleeping" of a Member Lodge and the expulsion of a Member Lodge are not penalties, but organizational procedures.

Chapter Nine
Rules for Masonic Communication

Section I
Addresses of the Freemasons

Art. 159. In ritual work and in correspondence within the framework of the Movement of Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria, the following addresses must be used:
a/ "Most respected" - to the Grand Master;
b/ "Very highly respected" - to the Great Dignitaries, the Chairman of the Great Fraternal Court, the Chairman of the Great Legal Commission, the Chairman of the Great Ritual Commission and the Chairman of the Commission of Great Auditors;
c/ "Highly respected" - to the Chair Master of a Member Lodge;
d/ "Dear" - to Brother Zidar.

Section II
Dress of the Freemasons

Art. 160. (1) During ritual work, Masonic Brothers are obliged to wear: a/ Black suit with white shirt and black tie or bow tie and black shoes;
b/ Apron in accordance with the owned Symbolic Degree;
c/ White gloves;
d/ The insignia of the Lodge of which they are members;
e/ Distinctive sign for the position held in the cases provided for in this Law;
(2) The wearing of civil honors and badges of honor during ritual work is not allowed.
Art. 161. When holding a Tafel/Banquet/Lodge, the clothing described above is retained, with the gloves and apron being removed.
Art. 162. When holding meetings with uninitiated or seekers the wearing of the apron, gloves and insignia is not allowed.
Section III
Establishing contacts between Freemasons

Art.163.(1) In order to prove his belonging to the Movement of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria, every Brother Mason is obliged to possess a Masonic passport, and the Brothers Masters and a Certificate of Symbolic Degree Master.
(2) The Masonic Passport and Certificate referred to in the previous paragraph are signed by the Grand Master and the Grand Secretary.
Art. 164. (1) A Masonic brother can establish Masonic contacts only when he has categorically verified, in compliance with the prescriptions of the Masonic Ritual, that the person with whom he contacts belongs to Freemasonry.
(2) It is the right of every Brother Mason to appear personally in profane contacts as a Mason, but it is absolutely forbidden for him to indicate other Brothers whose affiliation to his Movement is known.
Art. 165. (1) A Masonic Brother cannot refuse a meeting requested by another Masonic Brother regardless of the position he occupies in civil society and to provide him with the necessary assistance according to his capabilities.
(2) Regardless of what is provided in the preceding paragraph, a Masonic Brother is not obliged to provide another Masonic Brother with such assistance that contradicts the laws of civil society, the rules of the service he performs or generally accepted morality.

Section IV
Legacy of Brother Mason

Art. 166. After his acceptance as a member, the Masonic Brother should submit to the Lodge in which he was admitted a declaration written in his own hand and signed by him with the following content:
Declaration

I, the undersigned /the three names/ declare that after my death I wish to return to the Lodge /name/ all official Masonic paraphernalia in my possession, written documents and printed publications that I have received from the Lodge, from another Lodge of Freemasons or from Grand Lodge, and also all correspondence which is carried on in connection with my Masonic activities.

Place:…………………………Date:…………………………

Signature:………………………

Art. 167. A copy of the declaration shall be kept by the Masonic Brother with his other Masonic belongings.

Transitional and final provisions

§ 1. All sealed mandates of the bodies of the Grand Lodge expire on New Year's Day.
§ 2. Any term of at least one year and six months is considered to be a full mandate within the meaning of this Basic Law.
§ 3. The previous reserve judges in the High Fraternal Court and the Legal Commission automatically become regular members of the Great Fraternal Court and the Great Legal Commission.
§ 4. After the adoption of the amendments and additions to the Basic Law on 02.03.2002, a partial election was held by the Ordinary General Assembly for three members of the Great Fraternal Court and one member of the Great Legal Commission, whose mandate expires on New Year's Day 2003.
§ 5. The organizational regulations for the activities of the bodies of the Grand Lodge provided for by this Basic Law must be adopted within three months after the adoption of the Basic Law.
§ 6. The Statute of Honors in the Movement of Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria provided for by this Basic Law must be adopted by the General Assembly within three months after the adoption of the Basic Law.
§ 7. This Basic Law repeals the Regulations for the Application of the Basic Law of the Grand Lodge of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria, the Regulations for the Activities of the Council of Grand Dignitaries of the Grand Lodge of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria and the Rules of Procedure for Masonic Jurisdiction .
§ 8. This Basic Law was adopted by the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge held on September 20, 1997, amended and supplemented by the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge held on September 27, 1999 and by the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge held on November 24, 2000, amended by the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge, held on March 22, 2001, amended and supplemented by the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge, held on 03/02/2001, amended by the Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge, held on 16.05.2009

Appendix 1
Text of the Oath of the Grand Master

In praise of the Great Architect of the Universe!
In the name of the Grand Lodge of Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria,
I, the undersigned ………………………………………………………………………….,
elected by the will of the Masters of the craft of the Old Masons as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Old Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria, I swear by my word an honest man:
In the name of my kindred, my Fatherland, peace and harmony among all people on Earth,
- To continue the work of the venerable Old Grand Masters on the Construction of the Temple in the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge S.S.P.Z. of Bulgaria.
- May the Light illuminate this perfect and full-fledged Grand Lodge.
- To strictly observe the traditions of the craft and the application of the basic principles of regular Freemasonry in the course of the work on the Building.
- To contribute to the preservation and strengthening of the Movement of Old Free and Accepted Masons in the Republic of Bulgaria, and to prevent the detachment of the Great Lodge S.S.P.Z. of Bulgaria from the Fraternal Chain of the World Union of Regular Freemasonry.
- Not to subjugate the Brethren - apprentices, journeymen and masters - under the authority of any high-ranking Freemasonic system.
- To protect the independence and autonomy of this Grand Lodge, and not to allow interference in the internal affairs of the Brotherhood by any foreign Masonic community.
In assuming the responsibilities of this sacred oath, I declare that my every action and word will be directed solely to the strengthening of Wisdom, Strength and Beauty among men, in the pursuit of perfection of the entire human race.

I swore!

Date………………………..Signature………………………..
Orient-Bulgaria