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

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

P R E A M B L E

The Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria is a community of free men of good repute, gathered together irrespective of their religious and political convictions, race, citizenship and social standing, and united in Brotherhoods /Masonic Lodges/, who strive towards human perfection through fraternal relations in accordance with the Ancient Charges /usages, customs, symbols and rituals/ of World Freemasonry. Respecting the dignity of the individual, they stand for the full development of the personality and of brotherhood, for tolerance and for readiness to render mutual assistance in the name of Faith in the Great Architect of the Universe.

Chapter One General Provisions

Section I Fundamental Tenets and Principles

Art. 1.(1) The Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria is built upon the following fundamental tenets:

a/ Belief in the Great Architect of the Universe and in His will is an absolute condition for the admission of members;

b/ The Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria /Grand Lodge of Bulgaria/ may be founded by no fewer than three Regular and Duly Constituted Lodges;

c/ All those initiated must take their obligations upon the Volumes of the Sacred Law;

d/ Only men may be members of the Movement;

e/ The Grand Lodge of Bulgaria holds sole and undisputed authority over the Craft and over the symbolic degrees within the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, and may not be subordinated to a Supreme Council or to any other power claiming control over those degrees;

f/ The Three Great Lights are continuously displayed while the Lodge is at work;

g/ Discussions of a religious or political nature are strictly prohibited;

h/ The Usages, Traditions, Symbols and Rituals of the Craft must be strictly observed.

(2) The fundamental principles by which the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria is guided are:

a/ Freedom of the individual and of conscience;

b/ Tolerance of the ideas of others;

c/ Striving for perfection;

d/ Observance of Masonic secrecy;

e/ Mutual assistance among the Brethren;

f/ Selectivity in the choice of members;

g/ Autonomy and independence of the individual Lodges in relation to the “Mother Lodge”;

h/ Loyalty to civil society and observance of the law;

i/ Evolution in social processes.

Section II Aims

Art. 2.(1) The principal aim of the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons is to achieve the moral growth and spiritual perfection of the Human Individual and of the Human Community.

(2) The Movement organises and supports humanitarian, charitable and other activities for the public benefit.

(3) The Movement also adopts as its own all other aims arising from the Usages and Traditions of World Freemasonry.

(4) The Movement may not pursue aims prohibited by the laws of the Republic of Bulgaria or by the customs and morals of civil society.

Section III Means

Art. 3. The Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria achieves its aims through:

1. Unceasing individual work by each of the Brother Freemasons on his own self-improvement;

2. Dedicated work by the Brother Freemasons in the Masonic workshops;

3. The conduct of regular Ritual activity in the Grand Lodge and the Constituent Lodges;

4. The precise and uniform application of the Basic Law, the By-laws of the Constituent Lodges, and the Masonic Usages and Traditions;

Art. 4.(1) The financial means required to achieve the Aims of the Movement are obtained from:

a/ Mandatory dues – initiation fees and regular dues;

b/ Donations and sponsorship;

c/ Other means permitted by the laws of civil society.

(2) The financial means so raised are spent within the limits and in accordance with the requirements of the budgets adopted by the competent bodies.

Section IV Symbols

Art. 5.(1) The principal symbols of the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons are the Three Great Lights:

a/ The Volumes of the Sacred Law;

b/ The Square;

c/ The Compasses.

(2) The symbols of the Movement also include the Three Lesser Lights – the Sun, the Moon and the Master of the Lodge – as well as the attributes of the stonemasons' guild.

(3) The Lodges of Freemasons work only with the Volume of the Sacred Law open and the Square and Compasses conjoined.

Chapter Two Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons

Section I Status

Art. 6.(1) The Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria /Grand Lodge/ is an independent and self-governing union of Regular and Duly Constituted Lodges.

(2) The Grand Lodge recognises no Masonic authority other than its own within the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.

(3) /new – adopted by the Grand General Assembly on 16.05.2009/ The Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria may cooperate with other regular Grand Lodges within the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria on the principle of equality and mutual recognition in order to attain the moral ideals and lofty aims of Freemasonry.

Art. 7. The Grand Lodge is an association registered under the Non-Profit Legal Entities Act and has its seat in Sofia.

Art. 8.(1) The Grand Lodge exercises supreme jurisdiction over the Constituent Lodges. The Grand Lodge unites and directs the activity of all Constituent Lodges and, through its bodies, ensures the precise observance of the Basic Law and of the Ancient Charges, Rituals, Symbols and Traditions of the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

(2) The Grand Lodge alone has the right to represent the Movement before foreign Grand Lodges, as well as before the national institutions of the Republic of Bulgaria and international civil society organisations.

(3) The Grand Lodge guarantees the sovereignty of the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in the Republic of Bulgaria.

Section II Structure

Art. 9.(1) The Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria performs its functions through the following bodies:

a/ General Assembly;

b/ Grand Master;

c/ Council of Grand Officers;

d/ Grand Fraternal Court;

e/ Grand Legal Commission;

f/ Grand Ritual Commission;

g/ Commission of Grand Auditors.

(2) The Council of Grand Officers, the Grand Fraternal Court, the Grand Legal Commission, the Grand Ritual Commission and the Commission of Grand Auditors carry out their activity in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law and the Rules of Organisation 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. According to its powers, the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge is:

a/ Ordinary;

b/ Grand.

Subsection 1 Ordinary General Assembly

Art. 12.(1) The Ordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge is held twice in each calendar year.

(2) The Ordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge is convened by the Grand Master by means of a written notice stating the date, the venue and the draft agenda. The notices are sent to the participants in the Assembly no later than ten days before it is held, by letter, fax or e-mail, together with all materials relating to the agenda.

Art. 13.(1) The Ordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge is attended by the Constituent Lodges, the Grand Master, the Grand Officers, 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. Past Grand Masters and Past Masters are also entitled to attend.

(2) The right to submit proposals to the Ordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge belongs to the Constituent Lodges and the Grand Master.

(3) Only the Constituent Lodges have the right to vote in the Ordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge. Each Lodge has one vote. The right to vote is exercised by the Worshipful Master or by a Master Mason expressly authorised by him in writing.

Art. 14.(1) The Ordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge may take decisions if all Constituent Lodges have been duly notified and at least half of them are present at the Assembly, and, where a by-election is held or a decision on the expulsion of a Constituent Lodge is taken, if at least two thirds are present.

(2) /amended by the Grand General Assembly on 16.05.2009/ The Ordinary General Assembly adopts its decisions by a simple majority of those present and entitled to vote, and, where a decision on the expulsion of a Constituent Lodge is taken, by a majority of two thirds of those present and entitled to vote.

(3) Voting is open unless the Assembly decides that voting on certain matters is to be secret – by balloting (with balls) or by ballot papers. Where a by-election is held or a decision on the expulsion of a Constituent Lodge is taken, voting is secret.

Art. 15.(1) The Ordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge has the following powers:

a/ It adopts the reports of the Grand Master, the Grand Treasurer, other Grand Officers, and of 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/ It approves the work plan of the Grand Lodge.

c/ It determines the amount of the Mandatory Dues;

d/ It adopts the budget for the following calendar year and approves the report on its implementation.

e/ It decides on the acquisition and disposal of immovable property;

f/ It adopts amendments to the Rituals;

g/ It adopts the Statute of Honours of the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria and confers the highest of them;

h/ It decides on the expulsion of a Constituent Lodge;

(2) /amended by the Grand General Assembly on 16.05.2009/ Where offices in the Council of Grand Officers (other than that of the Grand Master), in the Grand Fraternal Court, the Grand Legal Commission, the Grand Ritual Commission or the Commission of Grand Auditors fall vacant prematurely owing to death, placement under judicial interdiction, a final conviction for an intentional publicly prosecutable offence, resignation, or a decision of the Grand Fraternal Court, the Ordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge holds a by-election. Those so elected hold office until the expiry of the term of office of the body concerned. Within a single term of office, no more than one third of the membership of the body concerned may be replaced under this paragraph.

(3) The Ordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge also takes decisions on all matters relating to the activity of the Grand Lodge, except those placed within the exclusive competence of the Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge.

(4) The decisions of the Ordinary General Assembly enter into force immediately and are binding on the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, while decisions on a by-election enter into force upon the expiry of seven days if they have not been appealed within that period or, if they have been appealed, after the Grand Fraternal Court has ruled.

Art. 16.(1) In cases which 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 to that effect signed by at least one third of the Constituent Lodges.

(3) In the cases under the preceding paragraph, the Assembly is scheduled within one month of the date on which the written request is received by the Grand Lodge.

(4) Should the Grand Master fail to fulfil his obligations under para. 2, half of the Constituent Lodges may themselves convene an Extraordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge by a decision signed by their Worshipful Masters.

(5) The Extraordinary Ordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge takes decisions falling within the competence of the Ordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge, subject to the same requirements as to procedure, quorum and majority.

Subsection 2 Grand 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 calendar year concerned.

(2) The Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge is convened by the Grand Master by means of a written notice stating the date and time, the venue and the draft agenda. The notices are sent to the participants in the Assembly no later than one month before it is held, by letter, fax or e-mail, together with all materials relating to the agenda.

Art. 18.(1) The Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge is attended by the Constituent Lodges, the Grand Master, the Grand Officers, the Chairman and the members of the Grand Fraternal Court, the Chairman and the members of the Grand Legal Commission, the Chairman and the members of the Grand Ritual Commission, and the Chairman and the members of the Commission of Grand Auditors. Past Grand Masters and Past Masters are also entitled to attend.

(2) /amended by the Grand General Assembly on 16.05.2009/ Only the Constituent Lodges have the right to vote in the Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge. Each Lodge has three votes. The right to vote is exercised by the Worshipful Master and by two further Master Masons elected at the General Assemblies of the Constituent Lodges.

Art. 19.(1) The Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge may take decisions if all Constituent Lodges have been duly notified and at least two thirds of them are represented at the Assembly.

(2) The Grand General Assembly adopts its decisions by a qualified majority of two thirds of those present and entitled to vote in accordance with Art. 18, para. 2.

Art. 20. The Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge has the following powers:

1). It adopts, amends and supplements the Basic Law of the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria;

2). It decides on the dissolution of the Grand Lodge;

3). It elects:

a/ the Grand Master;

b/ the Grand Officers: two Deputy Grand Masters, the Senior Grand Warden, the Junior Grand Warden, the Grand Orator, the Grand Secretary, the Grand Treasurer, the Grand Master of Ceremonies and the Grand Tyler;

c/ the Chairman and members of the Grand Fraternal Court;

d/ the Chairman and members of the Grand Legal Commission;

e/ the Chairman and members of the Grand Ritual Commission;

f/ the Chairman and members of the Commission of Grand Auditors.

Art. 21.(1) The right to submit proposals to the Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge for the adoption, amendment and supplementing of the Basic Law of the Movement belongs to:

a/ the Constituent Lodges;

b/ the Grand Master;

c/ the Chairman of the Grand Legal Commission, the Chairman of the Grand Fraternal Court and the Chairman of the Grand Ritual Commission, within the competence of the bodies they represent.

(2) The right to submit proposals to the Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge for a decision on the dissolution of the Grand Lodge belongs to:

a/ the Constituent Lodges;

b/ the Grand Master;

(3) The right to submit proposals to the Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge for the election of the Grand Master, the Grand Officers (two Deputy Grand Masters, the Senior Grand Warden, the Junior Grand Warden, the Grand Orator, the Grand Secretary, the Grand Treasurer, the Grand Master of Ceremonies and the Grand Tyler), 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 members of the Commission of Grand Auditors belongs only to the Constituent Lodges.

Art. 22. All proposals under the preceding Article to the Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge are submitted to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge no later than the end of January of the calendar year concerned

Art. 23.(1) In cases which 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 to that effect signed by more than half of the Constituent Lodges.

(3) In the cases under the preceding paragraph, the Assembly is scheduled within one month of the date on which the written request is received by the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge.

(4) Should the Grand Master fail to fulfil his obligations under para. 2, more than half of the Constituent Lodges may themselves convene an Extraordinary Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge by a decision signed by their Worshipful Masters. By the same decision, the Grand Master may be temporarily suspended from office until the Extraordinary Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge is held.

(5) In addition to the powers under Art. 20, the Extraordinary Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge has the right to remove from office before the end of their term the Grand Master, the Grand Officers (the two Deputy Grand Masters, the Senior Grand Warden, the Junior Grand Warden, the Grand Orator, the Grand Secretary, the Grand Treasurer, the Grand Master of Ceremonies and the Grand Tyler), 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 members of the Commission of Grand Auditors.

(6) The Extraordinary Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge takes decisions falling within the competence of the Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge, subject to the same requirements as to 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 removal from office.

(2) The decisions of the Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge on the adoption, amendment and supplementing of the Basic Law are adopted by open vote in two readings, the first being in principle and the second on each individual provision. Once adopted, they are not subject to appeal on the merits, but are subject to appeal on procedural grounds.

(3) A decision to dissolve the Grand Lodge is adopted by open vote and enters into force once it has been reconfirmed, in the same manner in which it was taken, by an Extraordinary Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge held no earlier than six months after the date of the preceding one.

(4) Decisions on election and removal from office are adopted by secret ballot. They enter into force upon the expiry of seven days if they have not been appealed within that period or, if they have been appealed, after the Grand Fraternal Court has ruled.

Art. 25.(1) The offices of the Grand Master, the Grand Officers (the two Deputy Grand Masters, the Senior Grand Warden, the Junior Grand Warden, the Grand Orator, the Grand Secretary, the Grand Treasurer, the Grand Master of Ceremonies and the Grand Tyler), 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 members of the Commission of Grand Auditors carry a two-year term of office.

(2) Any Brother Mason may be re-elected to the same office without limitation, save that the Grand Master may serve no more than two consecutive terms of office.

Art. 26.(1) Only a Brother who, at the time of the election, is a Deputy Grand Master or a Worshipful Master, or who is a Past Grand Master or a Past Master, or who has been a Deputy Grand Master, may be elected Grand Master.

(2) Only Brethren who, at the time of the election, are Worshipful Masters, or who are Past Grand Masters or Past Masters, or who have been Deputy Grand Masters, may be elected Deputy Grand Masters.

(3) Any Master Mason who has served at least one term of office as an Officer of a Constituent Lodge may be elected Senior Grand Warden, Junior Grand Warden, Grand Orator, Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer, Grand Master of Ceremonies or Grand Tyler.

(4) Any Master Mason who has held the Degree of Master Mason for no less than two years and who meets the special requirements laid down in the Basic Law may be elected Chairman or Deputy Chairman of the Grand Fraternal Court, Chairman or Deputy Chairman of the Grand Legal Commission, Chairman of the Grand Ritual Commission or Chairman of the Commission of Grand Auditors.

Art. 27. The Brethren referred to in the preceding Article may not at the same time hold office as Officers in the Constituent Lodges.

Art. 28.(1) The Grand Master, the Grand Officers, 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 members of the Commission of Grand Auditors elected at a regular Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge take office on St John's Day (24 June) of the calendar year concerned following their election.

(2) The Grand Master, the Grand Officers, 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 members of the Commission of Grand Auditors elected at an Extraordinary Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge take office upon the expiry of seven days if the election or removal from office has not been appealed or, in the event of an appeal, after the Grand Fraternal Court has ruled.

(3) /repealed by the Grand General Assembly on 16.05.2009/

Subsection 3 General Rules for the Conduct of the General Assembly

Art. 29. A Constituent Lodge which has not paid its Mandatory Dues to the Grand Lodge for the preceding year, or which has been declared “dormant”, has no right to vote in a General Assembly of any kind.

Art. 30.(1) The General Assembly of the Grand Lodge is opened and presided over by the Grand Master. He may at any time hand over the conduct 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 the longer Masonic seniority.

(3) In the cases under Art. 23, para. 4, the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge is presided over by the Worshipful Master with the longest Masonic seniority among those who signed the decision convening it.

(4) Immediately after the opening of a General Assembly of the Grand Lodge, the agenda and the rules of procedure are adopted by open vote and by a simple majority of those present and entitled to vote.

Art. 31.(1) The right to speak during a General Assembly of the Grand Lodge belongs to the Worshipful Masters of the Constituent Lodges, the Grand Master, the Grand Officers, 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 Auditors, the Past Grand Masters and the Past Masters.

(2) Anyone entitled to speak may ask for the floor and is given it in the order in which the requests are made. The Grand Master and, after him, a Past Grand Master always have precedence. By decision of the Presiding Officer, requests for the floor may be made in writing.

(3) Once voting has begun, no one may take the floor to speak or make a proposal on the substance.

(4) The Presiding Officer gives the floor and may withdraw it when the speaker, despite a reminder, does not keep to the point, exceeds the time allowed for speaking or, while speaking, breaches the Basic Law of the Grand Lodge.

Art. 32.(1) Open voting is conducted by a show of hands. Where necessary, the Presiding Officer appoints tellers to count the votes.

(2) Secret voting is conducted by means of ballot papers or by balloting (with balls).

(3) No one has the right to vote “abstain”.

Art. 33.(1) For the conduct of elections or removals from office, the General Assembly elects, by open vote and by a simple majority of those present and entitled to vote, an Election Commission composed of three persons – a chairman and two members. A Brother who has been nominated for election may not serve on the Election Commission.

(2) The Chairman of the Election Commission announces which marks on the ballot papers are permissible, decides on the validity of the ballot papers cast and announces the results of the elections.

(3) If the required majority is not obtained in the first round of an election, a second round /run-off/ is held between the two Brethren who received the most votes.

(4) The Election Commission draws up minutes, and the ballot papers are kept by its Chairman until the time limit for appeal has expired, after which they are handed over to the Grand Secretary for safekeeping

Art. 34.(1) Minutes are drawn up of the deliberations and decisions of 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 the substance of their speeches;

b/ an accurate record of all proposals and decisions, as well as of the results of the votes and elections;

(2) The Grand Secretary assists the Presiding Officer. He records on an electronic medium all speeches and deliberations 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 the event of differences of opinion regarding the wording, the Presiding Officer decides.

(2) The Grand Secretary must send the minutes to all Lodges at the earliest opportunity, and in any event no later than one month after the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge has been held.

Section IV Grand Master

Art. 36.(1) The Grand Master is the highest Officer of the Grand Lodge.

(2) The Grand Master exercises supreme authority in the Movement in the period between the General Assemblies of the Grand Lodge.

(3) The authority of the Grand Master is unchallengeable throughout the Brotherhood, and his directions are binding on all Brother Masons. In an open Lodge no one has the right to call him to order or to oppose his orders.

(4) During his term of office the Grand Master may not hold office as an officer in any high-degree ritual systems of Freemasonry.

Art. 37. Upon taking office, the Grand Master takes an oath in the Temple of the Grand Lodge before a Past Grand Master or before the Worshipful Master with the longest Masonic seniority. 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/ He represents the Grand Lodge and defends its interests;

b/ He manages the day-to-day work of the Grand Lodge and is responsible for its activity as a whole;

c/ He presides over the Council of Grand Officers;

d/ He disposes of the monetary funds and the movable property of the Grand Lodge;

e/ He implements and administers 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 directs all Rituals of the Grand Lodge;

g/ He confers honours, with the exception of that which falls within the exclusive competence of the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge, and grants awards in accordance with the Basic Law;

h/ He “places in dormancy” a Constituent Lodge which is unable to work in all three Symbolic Degrees at the same time, and “awakens” it when the grounds for “dormancy” cease to exist;

i/ He temporarily suspends the Worshipful Master of a Constituent Lodge for a period of up to six months;

j/ He proposes the expulsion of a Constituent Lodge.

(2) In addition to all of the above, the Grand Master takes care that the spirit of Love, Brotherhood and Harmony is preserved among the Brethren, and also that all members of the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria observe the principles of Freemasonry. The Grand Master watches over the entire Building of the Grand Lodge, as well as over the life of the Brethren and their relations with one another.

(3) In the absence of the Grand Master, he temporarily delegates his duties in writing to the Deputy Grand Master with the longer Masonic seniority, and if this has not been done, the duties are assumed by that same Deputy Grand Master.

Art. 39. During his term of office the Grand Master has the duty to hear every Worshipful Master of a Constituent Lodge, the Grand Officers, 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.

Art. 40.(1) /amended by the Grand General Assembly on 16.05.2009/ Where the office of Grand Master is vacated before the end of the term of office by reason of death, placement under judicial interdiction, a final conviction for an intentional publicly prosecutable offence, or resignation at his own request, the office of Grand Master is assumed by the Deputy Grand Master with the longer Masonic seniority. In this case he is obliged immediately to convene an Extraordinary Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge to hold a new election.

(2) The Grand Master elected under the conditions of the preceding paragraph holds office until the expiry of the term of office of the Grand Master whose office was vacated. In this case it is not considered a separate term of office.

(3) Apart from cases of refusal to convene an Extraordinary Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge, the Grand Master may be temporarily suspended from office for particularly serious violations of the Basic Law committed by him, as established by a Decision of the Supreme Fraternal Court, in compliance with the procedure of Art. 23, para. 4 of the Basic Law.

Section V Council of Grand Officers

Art. 41.(1) The Council of Grand Officers is the highest collective body of the Grand Lodge.

(2) The Council of Grand Officers is composed of the Grand Master, the two Deputy Grand Masters, the Senior Grand Warden, the Junior Grand Warden, the Grand Orator, the Grand Secretary, the Grand Treasurer, the Grand Master of Ceremonies and the Grand Tyler.

(3) No remuneration is due to them for the performance of their functions, but the expenses incurred by them in and in connection with the performance of their functions are reimbursable from the budget of the Grand Lodge.

Art. 42. The Council of Grand Officers has the following powers:

1. It decides on consecration (the Bringing of Light) upon proposals received for the founding of new Lodges;
2. It gives consent for the Grand Master to submit to the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge a proposal for the expulsion of a Constituent Lodge;
3. It grants permission to a Constituent Lodge to admit Seekers from places outside the Orient of the Lodge or to establish Masonic Hearths of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in such places;
4. It prepares the holding of the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge;
5. It approves the reports on the activity and financial position and the draft budget prepared for submission to the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge;
6. It implements the Decisions of the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge;
7. It gives consent to the appointment and dismissal by the Grand Master of employees of the Grand Lodge;
8. It commissions the preparation and approves the content of the Annual Bulletin on the state of the Grand Lodge and the Constituent Lodges of the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria;
9. It approves the templates of the Warrant of a Constituent Lodge, the Masonic Passport, the Master Mason Certificate and the application for the admission of Seekers.

Art. 43. The Council of Grand Officers adopts Rules of Organisation for its activity.

Art. 44.(1) The Council of Grand Officers may take decisions only if all its members have been duly invited and more than half of them are present at the meeting. The invitation, stating the agenda, the date, the time and the venue of the meeting, is sent by the Grand Master in advance, within a period which gives all those entitled to vote a reasonable opportunity to attend.

(2) The Council of Grand Officers 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 Officers gives consent for the Grand Master to submit to the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge a proposal for the expulsion of a Constituent Lodge by a majority of two thirds of all its members.

Art. 45.(1) The Council of Grand Officers is convened by the Grand Master at least twice a year. The Council of Grand Officers may be convened in extraordinary session at the request of the two Deputy Grand Masters or of at least three of its other members.

(2) The Chairman of the Grand Fraternal Court, the Chairman of the Grand Legal Commission and the Chairman of the Grand Ritual Commission have the right to attend the meetings. They have the right to speak and to make proposals, but have no right to vote.

(3) The Council of Grand Officers decides on the admission of other Brethren by a vote in each individual case.

Art. 46.(1) The Deputy Grand Masters assist the Grand Master in all his work, within the full scope of his rights and duties.

(2) The Deputy Grand Masters assume the functions of the Grand Master in the cases provided for in the Basic Law.

Art. 47. The Senior Grand Warden is responsible for internal order and for the overall condition of the Temple of the Grand Lodge. He directly supervises the keeping of the Attendance Book. He hears in private complaints of Brethren against the Grand Master and takes action towards fraternal reconciliation. He ensures the observance of Masonic traditions and rituals in his column, both in the Grand Lodge and in the Constituent Lodges.

Art. 48. The Junior Grand Warden is responsible for external order in the antechamber of the Temple of the Grand Lodge and for the security of the Lodge from without. Together with the Grand Tyler, he ensures that only Regular Constituent Lodges and duly initiated Brethren are present at the Building. He directly supervises the activity of the Constituent Lodges and informs the Grand Master of any problems that arise. He ensures the observance of Masonic traditions and rituals in his column, both in the Grand Lodge and in the Constituent Lodges.

Art. 49. The Senior and Junior Grand Wardens are jointly responsible for preserving peace and order in the Grand Lodge; should they observe that the Grand Master is neglecting his duties, they remind him of them, but never while the Lodge is open.

Art. 50.(1) The Grand Orator is responsible for ensuring that the activity of the Grand Lodge conforms to Masonic usages and traditions, and keeps strict watch that the Brethren in the Movement adhere to the norms of conduct of a Freemason both within and outside the Lodge.

(2) He is responsible for the spiritual atmosphere in the Grand Lodge.

(3) He takes the floor and delivers addresses in the Grand Lodge on all manner of occasions.

(4) He oversees the proper requesting and granting of the floor to every Brother in an open Lodge and ensures that speeches are in keeping with the spirit and tone befitting Freemasons.

(5) He is responsible for the building work both in the Grand Lodge and in the Constituent Lodges.

Art. 51.(1) The Grand Secretary is responsible for all administrative activities in the Movement and keeps the minutes of all assemblies of the Grand Lodge and of the meetings of the Council of Grand Officers. He compiles and keeps all archival registers. He is the keeper of the seal of the Grand Lodge and the sole person entitled to affix it. He is the head of the Secretariat of the Grand Lodge and of all administrative services attached to it.

(2) The Grand Secretary is responsible for the timely summoning of the Brethren to work at the Building; he receives, prepares and submits for action all correspondence files; he corresponds directly with all fraternal Lodges; he countersigns, 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 activity of the Grand Lodge and submits the proposals made for the Programme Plan for the coming year.

(3) The Grand Secretary supervises the activity of the Secretaries of the Constituent Lodges and audits their records.

Art. 52.(1) The Grand Treasurer is the keeper and manager of the property of the Movement and for this purpose keeps the relevant financial and accounting records of the Grand Lodge.

(2) At the end of each quarter he submits to the Secretariat of the Grand Lodge a current report on the state of the Grand Treasury; he prepares and presents to the Council of Grand Officers, for submission to the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge, an annual report on the financial position of the Grand Lodge; he prepares and proposes to the Council of Grand Officers, for submission to the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge, a draft budget for the following year; he devises and proposes to the Council of Grand Officers plans for raising funds for the activity of the Grand Lodge; he is directly responsible for the collection of membership dues and all mandatory dues to the Grand Lodge.

(3) The Grand Treasurer oversees the state of the Widow's Bag and the charitable funds of the Grand Lodge.

(4) He supervises the financial position and the financial and accounting records of the Constituent Lodges.

Art. 53.(1) The Grand Master of Ceremonies is directly responsible for the performance of all rituals. Together with the Senior Grand Warden and the Grand Orator, he oversees the proper arrangement of the Temple of the Grand Lodge.

(2) The Grand Master of Ceremonies inspects the appearance of the Brethren before they enter the Temple of the Grand Lodge; invites all Brethren duly to sign the Attendance Book; indicates the working places of the Brethren in the Temple; announces the names and offices of all visiting Brethren upon their entry into the Temple; and directs the order of leaving the Temple.

(3) During work at the Building, the Grand Master of Ceremonies ensures that all Brethren take the correct position, perform the correct actions and observe the established Masonic order.

(4) He supervises the activity of the Masters of Ceremonies and all ritual activity of the Constituent Lodges.

Art. 54.(1) The Grand Tyler is the guardian of the approaches to the Temple of the Grand Lodge and is responsible for its security, both from without and from within; he is responsible for the safekeeping and preservation of the paraphernalia of the Grand Lodge; he is responsible for the lighting in the Temple of the Lodge.

(2) The Grand Tyler supervises the activity of the Tylers in the Constituent Lodges.

Section VI Grand Fraternal Court

Art. 55.(1) The Grand Fraternal Court consists of a Chairman, a Deputy Chairman and seven members.

(2) The Grand Fraternal Court is composed of Master Masons. The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Grand Fraternal Court must hold a university degree in law.

(3) No remuneration is due to them for the performance of their functions, but the expenses incurred by them in and in connection with the performance of their functions are reimbursable from the budget of the Grand Lodge

Art. 56. The Grand Fraternal Court adopts Rules of Organisation for its activity.

Art. 57. In its activity the Grand Fraternal Court is guided by the following fundamental rules:

a/ Sanctions against a Brother Mason may be imposed only if he has previously been given the opportunity to be heard or to give explanations;

b/ A good reconciliation is better than a good judgment;

c/ Proceedings are conducted as expeditiously as possible;

d/ In taking and announcing the Decision, regard is had to the solemn verse with which the newly admitted are greeted on the threshold of the Temple: “In these bright halls vengeance is never known, and if a man has fallen, love leads him back to duty”;

e/ A Brother against whom proceedings have been instituted is obliged to assist in clarifying the case, and has the right to defend himself in person or through another Master Mason authorised by him.

f/ Cases are heard with the mandatory attendance of the parties concerned. By way of exception, the proceedings may be conducted in absentia only where a party, having been duly summoned, expressly refuses to attend or fails to appear.

g/ The sittings of the Grand Fraternal Court are not public, unless the panel decides otherwise.

Art. 58. Each Constituent Lodge establishes, in accordance with its By-laws, a Fraternal Court of three Master Masons. Such a court is competent to hear, as a court of first instance, only disciplinary and arbitration proceedings between Brethren of the Lodge.

Art. 59. The Grand Fraternal Court has the following competence:

1). It resolves disputes on organisational matters within the Movement:

a/ disputes between Constituent Lodges;

b/ disputes between a Constituent Lodge and the Grand Lodge;

c/ challenges to elections held in a Constituent Lodge;

d/ challenges to elections held in the Grand Lodge;

e/ challenges to a Decision of the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge;

f/ challenges to a Decision of the Council of Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge;

g/ challenges to a Decision of the Grand Master.

2). It conducts disciplinary proceedings where:

a/ the conduct of a Brother damages the prestige of the Movement and its bodies, within it or before civil society;

b/ there is a failure to comply with a Decision of the Grand Fraternal Court in arbitration proceedings;

c/ there is a failure to comply with a Decision of the Grand Master or of other bodies of the Grand Lodge.

3). It conducts arbitration proceedings in disputes between Brethren of different Constituent Lodges, where both parties consent.

Art. 60.(1) The Grand Fraternal Court hears cases as the first and sole instance, except in the cases under Art. 58, where it acts as the second instance.

(2) The Grand Fraternal Court rules by Decisions taken by a majority of two thirds of the members of the panel, which are signed by all members of the panel. Dissenting opinions may be expressed.

(3) The Decisions of the Grand Fraternal Court are final and are not subject to appeal or review.

(4) The Grand Master has the right to pardon Brethren penalised under Art. 59, item 2.

Art. 61. (1) The Grand Fraternal Court sits in panels of five, presided over by the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman, and in the cases under Art. 59, item 1 – in a panel of seven presided over by the Chairman of the Grand Fraternal Court.

(2) The Grand Fraternal Court is assisted by secretaries and quaestors, who are Master Masons and are appointed by the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman for each individual case.

(3) Minutes are drawn up of the sittings of the Grand Fraternal Court and are signed by the presiding member of the panel and the secretary.

Art. 62. Challenges to and recusals of members of the panel of the Grand Fraternal Court are admissible only in cases under Art. 59, item 2 and item 3, where there are reasonable doubts as to impartiality.

Art. 63. In cases under Art. 59, item 2 the Grand Fraternal Court may impose the following penalties:

a/ Admonition;

b/ Reprimand;

c/ Removal from an elective office held, or a prohibition on holding the elective offices of Grand Officers other than the Grand Master, as well as elective offices in the Grand Fraternal Court and the commissions of the Grand Lodge, for the period of one term of office;

d/ Expulsion from the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria.

Art. 64. The Grand Fraternal Court institutes proceedings after a matter has been referred to it as follows: 1). Under Art. 59, para. 1, letter “a” – by the Worshipful Master of a Constituent Lodge;

2). Under Art. 59, para. 1, letter “b” – by the Grand Master or the Worshipful Master of a Constituent Lodge;

3). Under Art. 59, para. 1, letter “c” – by any Master Mason of the Constituent Lodge concerned;

4). Under Art. 59, para. 1, letter “d” – by a Constituent Lodge through its Worshipful Master or another Master Mason who took part in the elections pursuant to Art. 18, item 2, by the Chairman of the Grand Legal Commission and by a candidate for the office concerned.

5). Under Art. 59, para. 1, letter “e” – by the Grand Master, the Council of Grand Officers, the Chairman of the Grand Legal Commission and the Worshipful Master of a Constituent Lodge;

6). Under Art. 59, para. 1, letter “f” – by the Worshipful Master of a Constituent Lodge and the Chairman of the Grand Legal Commission;

7). Under Art. 59, para. 1, letter “g” – by the Worshipful Master of a Constituent Lodge and the Chairman of the Grand Legal Commission.

8). Under Art. 59, para. 2, letter “a” – by the Grand Master, the Worshipful Master of a Constituent Lodge and the Chairman of the Grand Legal Commission;

9). Under Art. 59, para. 2, letter “b” – by the aggrieved party to the arbitration proceedings;

10). Under Art. 59, para. 2, letter “c” – by the Grand Master or by the body of the Grand Lodge concerned;

11). Under Art. 59, para. 3 – by the aggrieved party.

Art. 65.(1) In hearing and deciding cases under Art. 59, para. 1, the Grand Fraternal Court assesses lawfulness only.

(2) In hearing and deciding cases under Art. 59, para. 2 and para. 3, the Grand Fraternal Court assesses lawfulness and conformity with Masonic morality, traditions and usages.

Art. 66.(1) All complaints under Art. 59 are lodged with the Chairman of the Grand Fraternal Court and are received by him or, in his absence, by the Deputy Chairman.

(2) The Chairman of the Grand Fraternal Court is obliged to institute proceedings on every complaint received and to appoint a panel within three days of receiving the complaint.

(3) The panel of the Grand Fraternal Court hearing the respective proceedings rules on its own competence to decide the case. It may not refuse to hear the case where the conditions under Art. 59 are met. Art. 67.(1) The parties are summoned by the presiding member of the panel, through the secretary, by appropriate means within one week of the institution of the proceedings.

(2) The panel of the court is obliged to give the interested parties the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the case file within a reasonable time before the sitting, so as to enable them to prepare.

(3) The case is heard by the panel within a reasonable time, but not later than one month from the receipt of the complaint by the Chairman of the Grand Fraternal Court.

(4) The panel of the court rules by a Decision within one week of the sitting.

(5) The Grand Fraternal Court notifies the parties of its decision on organisational matters and in arbitration proceedings by sending each of them a copy of it.

(6) In disciplinary proceedings the decision of the Grand Fraternal Court is communicated to the parties. Where a penalty has been imposed on a Grand Officer, 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 Worshipful Master of the Constituent Lodge concerned.

Section VII Grand Legal Commission

Art. 68.(1) The Grand Legal Commission consists of a Chairman, a Deputy

Chairman and five members.

(2) The Grand Legal Commission is composed of Master Masons, all of whom must hold a university degree in law.

(3) No remuneration is due to them for the performance of their functions, but the expenses incurred by them in and in connection with the performance of their functions are reimbursed from the budget of the Grand Lodge.

Art. 69. The Grand Legal Commission adopts Rules of Organisation for its activity.

Art. 70. Each Constituent Lodge may, in accordance with its By-laws, establish a Legal Commission of three Master Masons. Such a commission is competent to examine matters only within the Lodge.

Art. 71. The principal task of the Grand Legal Commission is to protect, improve and interpret Masonic Law.

Art. 72. The Grand Legal Commission has the following competence:

a/ It prepares drafts for the amendment and supplementation of the Basic Law of the Grand Lodge of Bulgaria;

b/ It prepares model By-laws for a Constituent Lodge;

c/ It verifies the conformity of the By-laws of the Constituent Lodges with the Basic Law of the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria and with Masonic usages and traditions and, where necessary, gives binding instructions for the remedying of omissions and errors;

d/ It verifies the conformity of the Decisions of the Grand Master and of the Council of Grand Officers with the Basic Law of the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria and with Masonic usages and traditions and, where necessary, gives binding instructions for the remedying of omissions and errors;

e/ It verifies the conformity of the Rules of Organisation of the Council of Grand Officers, the Grand Fraternal Court, the Grand Ritual Commission and the Commission of Grand Auditors with the Basic Law of the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria and with Masonic usages and traditions and, where necessary, gives binding instructions for the remedying of omissions and errors;

f/ It prepares advisory opinions and provide methodological assistance on legal matters;

g/ It acts as the proposals committee when a General Assembly of the Grand Lodge is convened and submits the proposals received to the General Assembly, having ruled in advance on their lawfulness;

h/ The Grand Legal Commission has the independent right to submit proposals and initiatives to the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge, the Grand Master, the Council of Grand Officers and the Constituent Lodges for the purpose of protecting, improving and interpreting Masonic Law.

Art. 73.(1) The Grand Legal Commission sits in panels of three persons, presided over by the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman, and, in the cases under Art. 72, letter “a” and letter “h”, in a panel of five persons, presided over by the Chairman.

(2) The Grand Legal Commission is assisted by Secretaries, who are Master Masons and are appointed by the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman for each specific case.

(3) The Grand Legal Commission may enlist experts and consultants who are Brethren to take part in its work. They are designated by the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman, depending on which of them presides over the panel. The experts and consultants have an advisory voice but may not be present when decisions are taken.

Art. 74.(1) The Grand Legal Commission examines matters within its competence as the first and only instance.

(2) The Grand Legal Commission rules by Decisions taken by a simple majority of the members of the panel, which are signed by all members of the panel. Dissenting opinions may be expressed.

(3) The Decisions of the Grand Legal Commission are final and are not subject to appeal or review.

(4) Minutes are drawn up of the sittings of the Grand Legal Commission and are signed by the Chairman of the panel and the secretary.

Art. 75. Challenges to, and recusals by, members of a panel of the Grand Legal Commission are not permitted.

Art. 76. The Grand Legal Commission opens proceedings upon a referral from the Grand Master or the Worshipful Master of a Constituent Lodge, and from a Grand Officer, the Chairman of the Grand Fraternal Court, the Chairman of the Grand Ritual Commission or the Chairman of the Commission of Grand Auditors – within the scope of their competence.

Art. 77.(1) All requests are submitted to and received by the Chairman of the Grand Legal Commission.

(2) The Chairman of the Grand Legal Commission is obliged to open proceedings and to appoint a panel within three days of receipt of the request.

(3) The panel of the Grand Legal Commission examining the proceedings concerned rules on its competence to decide the request. It may not refuse to examine the request where the conditions of Art. 72 are met.

Art. 78.(1) The sittings of the Grand Legal Commission are not public unless the panel decides otherwise.

(2) Proceedings are examined in the mandatory presence of the interested parties. By way of exception, proceedings may be conducted in absentia only where a party expressly refuses to attend or fails to appear /in person or through a proxy/ having been duly summoned.

Art. 79.(1) The interested parties are summoned by the Chairman of the panel, through the secretary, within one week of the opening of the proceedings.

(2) The panel of the Grand Legal Commission is obliged to give the interested parties the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the materials of the proceedings within a reasonable time before the sitting, so as to enable them to prepare.

(3) The proceedings are examined by a panel within a reasonable time, but not later than one month after receipt of the request by the Chairman of the Grand Legal Commission.

(4) The panel of the Grand Legal Commission rules by a Decision within one week of the sitting.

(5) A certified copy of the Decision is sent forthwith to the interested parties.

Section VIII Grand Ritual Commission

Art. 80.(1) The Grand Ritual Commission consists of a Chairman and two members.

(2) The Grand Ritual Commission is composed of Master Masons.

(3) No remuneration is due to them for the performance of their functions, but

the expenses incurred by them in and in connection with the performance of their functions are reimbursed from the budget of the Grand Lodge.

Art. 81.(1) The Grand Ritual Commission adopts Rules of Organisation for its activity.

(2) The establishment of Ritual Commissions in the Constituent Lodges is not permitted.

Art. 82. The principal task of the Grand Ritual Commission is to oversee the application, and to work for the improvement, of the Rituals of the Movement.

Art. 83. The Grand Ritual Commission has the following competence:

a/ It compiles a Book of Rituals containing the Rituals of the Movement;

b/ It makes proposals for amendments to the Rituals in force or for the introduction of new Rituals in the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria;

c/ It prepares advisory opinions and provide methodological assistance on ritual matters.

Art. 84.(1) The Grand Ritual Commission sits as a panel of three persons and rules by Decisions taken by a simple majority, which are signed by all its members. Dissenting opinions may be expressed.

(2) The Decisions of the Grand Ritual Commission on amendments to the Rituals in force or on the introduction of new Rituals in the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria are subject to approval by the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge.

(3) The Grand Ritual Commission is assisted by secretaries, who are Master Masons and are appointed for each specific case by the Chairman of the commission.

(4) The Grand Ritual Commission may enlist experts and consultants who are Master Masons to take part in its work. They are designated by the Chairman. The experts and consultants have an advisory voice but may not be present when decisions are taken.

(5) Minutes are drawn up of the sittings of the Grand Ritual Commission and are signed by the Chairman and the secretary.

Art. 85.(1) The Grand Ritual Commission opens proceedings upon a referral from the Worshipful Master of a Constituent Lodge, the Grand Master or the Grand Master of Ceremonies.

(2) In all cases falling within the scope of its competence, the Grand Ritual Commission may act on its own initiative.

Art. 86.(1) All requests are submitted to and received by the Chairman of the Grand Ritual Commission.

(2) The Chairman of the Grand Ritual Commission is obliged to open proceedings within three days of receipt of the request.

(3) The Grand Ritual Commission rules on its competence. It may not refuse to examine the request where the conditions of Art. 83 are met. Art. 87.(1) The sittings of the Grand Ritual Commission are not public unless the Commission itself decides otherwise.

(2) Proceedings are examined in the mandatory presence of the interested parties and, in all cases, of the Grand Master of Ceremonies.

Art. 88.(1) The interested parties are summoned by the Chairman, through the secretary, within one week of the opening of the proceedings.

(2) The Grand Ritual Commission is obliged to give the interested parties the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the materials of the proceedings within a reasonable time before the sitting, so as to enable them to prepare.

(3) The proceedings are examined by the panel within a reasonable time, but not later than one month after receipt of the request by the Chairman of the Grand Ritual Commission.

(4) The Grand Ritual Commission rules by a decision within one week of the sitting.

(5) A copy of the decision is sent forthwith to the interested parties and is delivered to the Secretariat of the Grand Lodge for submission to the next General Assembly for approval, where this is provided for in the Basic Law.

Section IX Commission of Grand Auditors

Art. 89.(1) The Commission of Grand Auditors consists of a Chairman and two members.

(2) The Commission of Grand Auditors is composed of Master Masons, all of whom should hold a university degree in accounting or finance.

(3) No remuneration is due to them for the performance of their functions, but the expenses incurred by them in and in connection with the performance of their functions are reimbursed from the budget of the Grand Lodge.

Art. 90. The Commission of Grand Auditors adopts Rules of Organisation for its activity.

Art. 91. The Commission of Grand Auditors has the following competence:

a/ It exercises permanent control over the management of the property of the Grand Lodge;

b/ It carries out financial audits and inspections of the activity of the Grand Treasurer;

c/ It monitors the implementation of the annual budget of the Grand Lodge and prepares the statement of income and expenditure and the balance sheet;

d/ It prepares an annual report on its activity.

Art. 92. The Commission of Grand Auditors sits as a panel of three persons and rules by decisions taken by a simple majority, which are signed by all its members. Dissenting opinions may be expressed.

Art. 93. The Commission of Grand Auditors is assisted by secretaries, who are Master Masons and are appointed for each specific case by the Chairman.

Art. 94 The Commission of Grand Auditors may enlist experts and consultants who are Brethren to take part in its work. They are designated by the Chairman.

The experts and consultants have an advisory voice but may not be present when decisions are taken.

Art. 95. Minutes are drawn up of the sittings of the Commission of Grand Auditors and are signed by the Chairman and the secretary.

Art. 96.(1) The sittings of the Commission of Grand Auditors are not public unless the Commission itself decides otherwise.

(2) The Grand Treasurer is invited when matters are being examined.

(3) A certified copy of the decision of the Commission of Grand Auditors is delivered 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 Chairman.

Chapter Three Lodges of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons

Section I Status of a Constituent Lodge

Art. 98.(1) A Masonic lodge is a Fraternal community of Freemasons. It is the traditional successor of the old guilds of operative stonemasons and is the workshop in which freemasons build human perfection.

(2) The Masonic lodge is the basic structure of the Movement of freemasons. It is a free, self-governing association, working in accordance with the Basic Law of the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria, Masonic usages and traditions and its own By-laws.

Art. 99.(1) Only Regular and Duly Constituted Lodges may be members of the Grand Lodge.

(2) Each Constituent Lodge must be registered as an association under the Non-Profit Legal Entities Act.

Art. 100.(1) A Lodge becomes Regular and Duly Constituted after its consecration by the Grand Master and after its entry in the Register of Constituent Lodges and the issue of a warrant. From that moment it becomes a member of the Grand Lodge.

(2) The decision on the consecration of a new Lodge is taken by the Council of Grand Officers.

Art. 101.(1) A new Lodge may be founded only at the request of at least nine Brother Freemasons. At least seven of them must be Master Masons, which means that all of them must be active members, or have been members, of Regular and Duly Constituted Lodges, or be recognised as such.

(2) The application for the founding of a New Lodge, accompanied by minutes signed by all the Brethren referred to in the preceding paragraph, is sent to the Grand Master through the Grand Secretary.

(3) The Council of Grand Officers takes a decision on the consecration of a New Lodge, on a proposal from the Grand Master, within three months of receipt of the application.

(4) Where the Brethren wishing to found a New Lodge are, up to that time, members of one and the same Lodge, the Council of Grand Officers takes a decision on the consecration of the New Lodge after receiving written consent signed by the Worshipful Master of the Lodge of which the Brethren are members, and after it has been established that the Brethren have no financial obligations to their present Lodge and no unrevoked penalties.

(5) Where the Brethren wishing to found a New Lodge are, up to that time, members of different Lodges, the Council of Grand Officers takes a decision on the consecration of the New Lodge after receiving written consent signed by the Worshipful Masters of the Lodges of which the Brethren are members, and after it has been established that the Brethren have no financial obligations to their present Lodges and no unrevoked penalties.

(6) In the event of a refusal, the Brethren wishing to found a New Lodge may appeal against the Decision of the Council of Grand Officers to the next Regular Ordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge, which rules on the merits, and its Decision is final.

(7) In cases where the refusal has been confirmed by the General Assembly, a new application by the same Brethren may be submitted not earlier than one year after the submission of the previous application.

Art. 102.(1) The consecration is performed by the Grand Master within three months of the decision taken by the Council of Grand Officers.

(2) No consecration may be performed when fewer than three months remain until the date on which a Regular Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge is to be held.

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 By-laws of the Lodge. The By-laws must be in conformity with the Basic Law, which is verified by the Grand Legal Commission.

(2) The bodies of the Lodge are the General Assembly, the Worshipful Master and the Council of Officers. The Council of Officers consists of: the Worshipful Master, the Senior Warden, the Junior Warden, the Orator, the Secretary, the Master of Ceremonies and the Tyler. Each Lodge may provide in its By-laws for a Deputy Worshipful Master and a Treasurer as members of the Council of Officers.

(3) The General Assembly is the supreme body of the Lodge. Only the Master Masons who are members of the Lodge have the right to vote in the General Assembly of the Lodge.

(4) The Worshipful Master exercises the direction and representation of the Lodge.

(5) The Council of Officers assists the Worshipful Master in his work.

Art. 104.(1) The Worshipful Master and the other members of the Council of Officers are elected by the General Assembly of the Lodge by secret ballot. A Master Mason who has served at least one term of office as an Officer of the Lodge may be nominated and elected as Worshipful Master.

(2) The elections under the preceding paragraph are held not later than two months before St John's Day, and the elected Officers take office on St John's Day.

(3) The names and addresses of the members of the Council of Officers are 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 Worshipful Master. He submits an annual report on the state of his Lodge.

(2) The responsibilities of the Worshipful Master for the observance of Masonic usages and traditions necessarily include the conduct of ritual activity in the Lodge at least once a month, except during the vacation period.

(3) Whenever so requested by the Grand Master, the Worshipful Master provides information about his Lodge.

Art. 106.(1) Each of the Lodges that are members of the Grand Lodge pays Mandatory Dues to the Grand Lodge. The amount of the Mandatory Dues depends on the number of members of the Constituent Lodge concerned.

(2) The Mandatory Dues are owed to the Grand Lodge from the moment of consecration.

(3) Failure to pay the Mandatory Dues for the preceding year automatically results in the Constituent Lodge being deprived of the right to vote in the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge, irrespective of its type.

Art. 107. Each Lodge works according to the Rituals laid down in the Basic Law and may not alter them of its own accord.

Art. 108.(1) A Constituent Lodge is declared “dormant” by the Grand Master if it is unable to carry out ritual activity simultaneously in all three Symbolic Degrees.

(2) The Grand Master may declare a Constituent Lodge “dormant” after hearing all the Master Masons of the Lodge who wish to give an opinion.

(3) The “dormant” Lodge continues to exist as a Constituent Lodge within the Grand Lodge for a period of up to one year. For the period during which the Constituent Lodge remains “dormant”, it has no right to vote in the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge, irrespective of its type.

(4) The grounds for “dormancy” cease to exist when the Lodge is once again able to carry out 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 Masons who are members of the Lodge have declared to him in writing their wish to carry out ritual activity in the three Symbolic Degrees.

Art. 109. The membership of a Lodge in the Grand Lodge terminates in the following cases:

1). Self-dissolution;

2). Withdrawal from the Grand Lodge;

3). Expulsion from the Grand Lodge.

Art. 110.(1) A decision on the self-dissolution of the Lodge is taken by the General Assembly in accordance with the requirements of the By-laws of the Lodge. In order to enter into force, the decision on self-dissolution must be reconfirmed, in the same manner in which it was taken, after the expiry of six months.

(2) In all cases, the decision on the self-dissolution of the Lodge is invalid if seven Master Masons who are members of the Lodge declare themselves in favour of its continued existence.

Art. 111.(1) A decision to withdraw from the Grand Lodge is taken by the General Assembly by a majority of two-thirds of the Master Masons who are members of the Lodge and in accordance with the requirements of the By-laws of the Lodge. In order to enter into force, the decision to withdraw must be reconfirmed, in the same manner in which it was taken, after the expiry of six months.

(2) Immediately thereafter, the Decision to withdraw from the Grand Lodge must be submitted in writing to the Grand Secretary, from which moment the membership is deemed terminated.

(3) Where at least nine Brethren, seven of whom are Master Masons, are opposed to the withdrawal from the Grand Lodge, the Constituent Lodge remains Regular and Duly Constituted within the Grand Lodge.

Art. 112.(1) A proposal for the expulsion of a Constituent Lodge may be submitted to the Ordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge only by the Grand Master, to whom consent to do so has been given by a majority of two-thirds of all the members of the Council of Grand Officers. The grounds for this may only be exceptionally serious violations of the Basic Law, of Masonic usages and traditions and of the By-laws of the Constituent Lodge. Before making such a proposal, the Grand Master is obliged to request a written opinion from the Grand Legal Commission and/or the Grand Ritual Commission.

(2) The decision on the expulsion of a Constituent Lodge is taken by the Ordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge by a majority of two-thirds of the Lodges present and entitled to vote. Before taking a decision on the expulsion of a Constituent Lodge, the Ordinary General Assembly of the Grand Lodge is obliged to hear the Worshipful Master and at least two other Master Masons of the Lodge concerned, where they have declared in writing their wish to be heard.

Section II Relations between Constituent Lodges

Art. 113.(1) Each Constituent Lodge freely maintains relations with the other Constituent Lodges within the Movement and may sign memoranda of joint activity.

(2) Lodges that have signed a memorandum may not take joint decisions on the manner of voting in the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge.

Art. 114. Constituent Lodges may jointly carry out Masonic building work and conduct joint ritual activity.

Art. 115. Constituent Lodges may establish joint Masonic Hearths of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons under the conditions laid down in Chapter Five of this law.

Chapter Four Membership of the Lodges

Section I General Provisions

Art. 116.(1) Every Brother Freemason must work in a Regular and Duly Constituted Lodge. Accordingly, should the Lodge in which he works dissolve itself or be declared “dormant”, he has the right to seek affiliation as a member of another Lodge.

(2) A Brother Freemason is obliged to assist with all his strength the work of the Lodge of which he is a member.

Art. 117. Where a Brother Freemason has been elected to a particular office in the Movement, he must conscientiously perform the functions entrusted to him and has no right to vacate the office he holds without good cause.

Art. 118.(1) A Brother Freemason has the right to visit all Regular and Duly Constituted Lodges that are members of the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in the Republic of Bulgaria, provided he is admitted in accordance with the procedure laid down in the By-laws of the Lodge concerned.

(2) A Brother Freemason has the right to visit all Regular and Duly Constituted Lodges abroad with which the Lodge of which he is a member is twinned.

(3) A Brother Freemason has the right to visit all Regular and Duly Constituted Lodges abroad. He may not represent the Grand Lodge or the Lodge of which he is a member unless he has been issued a letter of introduction by the Grand Master.

(4) A Brother Freemason may maintain contacts with members of other bodies of Freemasons, but has no right to be a member of them or to take part in their ritual activity.

Section II Admission of Seekers

Art. 119.(1) Constituent Lodges may admit only Seekers who live or work within their Orient. Exceptions are permitted solely with the authorisation of the Council of Grand Officers on the basis of a reasoned written proposal from the Worshipful Master of the Lodge concerned.

(2) No person may be a Seeker against whom there are pending criminal

proceedings for an intentional publicly prosecutable offence, or who has been convicted of such an offence.

Art. 120.(1) A proposal for the admission of a Seeker may be made by any Master Mason who is a member of the Lodge concerned, and who is obliged to act as guarantor for him. Such a proposal may also be made by Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts through a Master Mason. In that case the Master Mason concerned becomes the guarantor.

(2) The guarantor must acquaint the Seeker with the fundamental tenets, principles and aims of Freemasonry, as well as with his obligations following his admission.

(3) The Seeker submits a written application, accompanied by a curriculum vitae and two photographs.

(4) The guarantor hands the Seeker's application, together with his own written guarantee, to the Secretary of the Lodge, who reports them during a Ritual in the First Degree.

Art. 121.(1) The personal data of the Seeker and the guarantee are kept by the Secretary and are available to the Brother Masons of the Lodge in accordance with the procedure laid down in its By-laws. The Secretary is obliged to inform the guarantor of any doubts expressed, so that the latter may refute them or withdraw his proposal.

(2) Within a period of not less than 14 days and not more than three months from the report under Art. 117, para. 4, the Worshipful Master of the Lodge sets a date for the discussion of and vote on the candidature.

Art. 122.(1) The discussion and the vote take place during ritual work in the First Degree.

(2) Before the discussion begins, the application and the guarantee are read out. All Brother Masons of the Lodge have the right to take part in the discussion. The guarantor must be present in person. He may authorise another Master Mason in writing to represent him, stating the reason for his absence.

(3) Upon conclusion of the discussion, the vote is held. It is conducted by balloting solely by the Master Masons of the Lodge concerned who are present.

(4) Balloting is conducted by casting white and black balls. The Worshipful Master of the Lodge determines the result and announces it.

(5) Where only white balls are found in the ballot box, the ballot is “clear”.

(6) Where up to three black balls are found, the Brother who cast such a ball must justify doing so to the Worshipful Master of the Lodge within three days. If no such justification is given, or if the Worshipful Master does not accept the justification as well founded, the ballot is declared “clear” at the next Ritual in the First Degree. Where the Worshipful Master accepts the arguments of at least one Master Mason who cast a black ball, the admission of the Seeker is deferred for one year, which is announced at the next Ritual in the First Degree.

(7) Where more than three black balls are found, but fewer than one third of the total number of balls cast, the admission of the Seeker is deferred for one year. If a repeat ballot after one year ends with the same result, the Seeker is rejected by that Lodge for ever.

(8) Where one third or more black balls are found at the very first ballot, the Seeker is rejected by the Movement for ever.

Art. 123. The admission of the Seeker takes place during ritual work in the First Degree. Only after the ritual initiation does the Seeker become a Freemason, receiving the Symbolic Degree of Entered Apprentice.

Section III Affiliation of Brother Freemasons

Art. 124. Affiliation of Brother Freemasons takes place where they are unaffiliated or where they wish to be members of more than one Lodge.

Art. 125.(1) An unaffiliated Brother is one who has been a member of a Regular and Duly Constituted Lodge entered in the Register of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria and whose membership has terminated as a result of his leaving the Lodge of his own volition or of the self-dissolution of the Lodge.

(2) Any person who has been a member of a Regular and Duly Constituted foreign Lodge and whose membership has terminated as a result of his leaving the Lodge of his own volition or of the self-dissolution of the Lodge is also deemed an unaffiliated Brother Mason. This fact is established by the Grand Secretary after verification carried out by him.

Art. 126. Any Brother Mason may simultaneously be a member both of the Lodge into which he was admitted and of a Lodge in the Orient of his place of residence or place of work. In that case he is obliged to pay membership dues in full in both Lodges, but may hold office in only one of them.

Art. 127. The application for affiliation is addressed to the Worshipful Master of the Lodge. A copy of the Masonic Passport or another equivalent document is attached to it.

Art. 128.(1) The Worshipful Master of the Lodge acquaints all Brethren of the same Degree as, or a higher Degree than, that of the applying Brother with the application received, in accordance with the procedure laid down in the By-laws of the Lodge.

(2) Any objections must be submitted to him in writing within 14 days. If no objections are received within that period, the application is deemed automatically accepted and the applicant may join the regular work of the Lodge immediately, retaining the degree he holds.

(3) Where an objection is received within the said period, the Worshipful Master refers the matter for decision to the Council of Officers of the Lodge. If the Brother who made the objection maintains it before the Council of Officers of the Lodge, the final decision is taken by the General Assembly of the Lodge within one month by a simple majority of the Master Masons present, observing the manner of voting laid down in the By-laws of the Lodge.

Art. 129. A Brother Mason who has left the Lodge of his own volition may apply for the restoration of his membership in the same Lodge, and the application is considered and decided in accordance with the procedure of this Section.

Section IV Advancement of Brethren in Degree

Art. 130. The Symbolic Degrees in the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria are:

Art. 131.(1) Proposals for passing Entered Apprentices to Fellow Crafts and for raising Fellow Crafts to Master Masons may be made by any Master Mason of the Lodge concerned in accordance with the procedure laid down in the By-laws of the Lodge. Proposals are reasoned.

(2) Advancement from one degree to another may take place where the Brother has given evidence of progress in mastering the Craft and has spent at least one full Masonic year in the preceding Degree. Masonic seniority is calculated from the date on which the Degree was ritually conferred.

(3) Where a Brother Mason has given particular evidence of Masonic maturity and devotion to the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria, or where exceptionally important interests of the Constituent Lodge so require, the Worshipful Master may, by reasoned application to the Grand Master, request, by way of exception, authorisation to shorten the period of time spent in one of the Symbolic Degrees under the preceding paragraph.

Art. 132.(1) A proposal for passing to the Degree of Fellow Craft is discussed and decided during ritual work in the Second Degree.

(2) Upon conclusion of the discussion, the vote is held. It is conducted by balloting solely by the Master Masons of the Lodge concerned who are present. The decision is taken by a simple majority.

(3) The passing of the Entered Apprentice to Fellow Craft takes place during ritual work in the Second Degree. Only after this ritual passing does the Entered Apprentice receive the Symbolic Degree of Fellow Craft.

Art. 133.(1) A proposal for raising to the Degree of Master Mason is discussed and decided during ritual work in the Third Degree.

(2) Upon conclusion of the discussion, the vote is held. It is conducted by balloting by the Master Masons of the Lodge concerned who are present. The decision is taken by a simple majority.

(3) The raising of the Fellow Craft to Master Mason takes place during ritual work in the Third Degree. Only after this ritual raising does the Fellow Craft receive the Symbolic Degree of Master Mason, and he is issued a Master Mason Certificate.

Art. 134. Only the attainment of the Symbolic Degree of Master Mason confers full Masonic rights upon a Freemason.

Section V Dormancy

Art. 135.(1) Every Brother Mason has the right to make a written request for dormancy of his active membership in the Lodge for a period of up to one Masonic year. During that period he has the right to receive information about the life of the Lodge and to take part in the profane events of the Movement.

(2) For the period of dormancy the Brother Mason is obliged to pay membership dues to the Lodge in full.

Art. 136. A dormant Brother Mason may at any time declare in writing his return from dormancy. Where, within the period specified under Art. 132, para. 1, the dormant Brother declares neither his return from dormancy nor a new dormancy, he is deemed to have left.

Section VI Transfer of Membership

Art. 137.(1) Every Brother Freemason who is a member of a Regular and Duly Constituted Lodge has the right to request in writing the transfer of his membership to another Regular and Duly Constituted Lodge in the Movement, after he has fully discharged his financial obligations for the current year to the Lodge of which he is a member and has handed over any funds or other property of the Lodge in his possession.

(2) The transfer is effected on the basis of a written record signed by the two Worshipful Masters, certifying that the Brother being transferred has fully discharged his financial obligations to the Lodge of which he was a member.

(3) Where he has expressly stated such a wish, and in accordance with the By-laws of the Lodge of which he was a member, the transferring Brother has the right to retain its insignia.

Art. 138. Upon transfer the Brother retains the Symbolic Ritual Degree he holds.

Section VII Termination of Membership of the Lodge

Art. 139. The membership of a Brother Mason in the Lodge terminates upon:

1). Death;

2).Being placed under judicial interdiction;

3).Conviction by a final judgment for an intentional publicly prosecutable offence;

4).Leaving without transfer to another Lodge;

5).Expulsion.

Art. 140. The membership of a Brother Mason terminates automatically from the moment of his death or of his being placed under judicial interdiction.

Art. 141.(1) A Brother Mason leaves without transfer to another Lodge by submitting a written statement to the Worshipful Master, which takes effect immediately unless the By-laws of the Lodge provide otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the departing Brother is obliged to pay his membership dues until the end of the current year and to hand over any funds or other property of the Lodge in his possession.

(2) The departing Brother has the right to receive a certificate that he has discharged his financial obligations to the Lodge, but is obliged to return all Masonic regalia in his possession, and may retain the insignia of the Lodge if this is in accordance with its By-laws.

Art. 142.(1) A Brother Mason may be expelled from the Lodge without consideration by the Fraternal Court of the Lodge, if the By-laws of the Lodge so provide, where he has:

a/ without good cause failed to take part in the ritual work of the Lodge for one Masonic year;

b/ without good cause failed to pay membership dues to the Lodge for more than one calendar year.

(2) The expulsion of a Brother Mason under the preceding paragraph is decided during ritual work in the Third Degree by a majority of two thirds of the Master Masons of the Lodge present, by balloting.

(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Brother Mason may be expelled for gross violations of the Basic Law, Masonic traditions and customs and the By-laws of the Lodge by decision of the Fraternal Court of the Lodge.

Chapter Five Hearths of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons

Art. 143. A Hearth of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons is established for the purpose of spreading the ideas of Freemasonry in Bulgaria and creating the conditions for the founding of Regular and Duly Constituted Lodges.

Art. 144.(1) Every Constituent Lodge /Mother Lodge/ may establish a Masonic Hearth in a locality situated in an Orient not occupied by another Constituent Lodge. The decision to do so is taken in accordance with its By-laws, a necessary precondition being that at least five Brother Masons who are members of the Mother Lodge reside or work in that locality.

(2) Consent to the establishment of a Masonic Hearth is given by the Council of Grand Officers upon a written proposal from the Worshipful Master of the Mother Lodge.

Art. 145.(1) The Worshipful Master of the Mother Lodge, by his decision, appoints a Master Mason from among the members of the Mother Lodge as the Brother in charge of the Hearth.

(2) The Brother in charge organises and reports on the activity of the Masonic Hearth in accordance with the By-laws of the Mother Lodge.

(3) A Masonic Hearth may not carry on independent ritual activity.

Art. 146. A Masonic Hearth may develop into a Regular and Duly Constituted Lodge once the conditions for its founding have been met.

Art. 147.(1) The Mother Lodge may in all circumstances dissolve the Masonic Hearth in accordance with the procedure laid down in its By-laws, notifying the Council of Grand Officers thereof in writing.

Chapter Six Past Grand Masters and Past Masters

Art. 148.(1) The honorary title of Past Grand Master or Past Master is acquired by right by a Brother who has been elected to and has held the respective office, irrespective of the length of time for which he held it.

(2) In the spirit of Masonic traditions and customs, Past Grand Masters and Past Masters enjoy particular respect in the Movement.

Art. 149. Past Grand Masters have the right to attend and speak at the General Assembly and at the meetings of the Council of Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge.

Art. 150. Past Masters have the right to attend and speak at the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge.

Chapter Seven Masonic Honours, Insignia and Awards

Art. 151.(1) The Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge introduces and abolishes Masonic honours within the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria and adopts their Statutes /including the classes, the appearance, the body that proposes them, the body that confers them and the conditions for conferring them/, the Statutes of the honours within the Movement forming an integral part of the Basic Law, as appendices thereto.

(2) Honours conferred by Lodges outside the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria may be accepted only if those Lodges are Regular and Duly Constituted. The wearing of such honours is permitted only in the Lodge of which the recipient is a member, at the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge and when visiting the Lodge that conferred the honour.

Art. 152. Every Constituent Lodge has the right to its own insignia, which is determined in its By-laws. Every Brother who is a member of the Lodge is obliged to wear the insignia when taking part in ritual work in the Movement.

Art. 153. The Worshipful Master and the Officers of every Constituent Lodge have official insignia of the office they hold. They are obliged to wear these insignia during ritual work in the Lodge and at the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge. Only the Worshipful Master, or the Brother authorised by him to deputise for him, also wears his insignia when visiting another Lodge for ritual activity.

Art. 154. The Grand Master, the members of the Council of Grand Officers, 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 of the office they hold in the Grand Lodge /their description forms an integral part of the Basic Law – Appendix No. 2/. They are obliged to wear these insignia during ritual work in the Grand Lodge and when visiting Rituals of Constituent Lodges. Only the Grand Master and the Deputy Grand Masters have the right to wear their insignia during ritual work in the Lodge of which they are members.

Art. 155.(1) On the occasion of anniversaries and for services to the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria, the Grand Master may award Constituent Lodges, upon a proposal of the Council of Grand Officers, or a Brother Mason, upon a proposal of the respective Worshipful Master, a special certificate of merit and/or a material award.

(2) The Worshipful Master may award a Brother Mason of the Lodge a special certificate of merit and/or a material award in accordance with the By-laws of the Constituent Lodge.

Chapter Eight Penalties and Other Procedures

Art. 156. A Constituent Lodge may impose the following penalties, subject to the conditions laid down in the Basic Law and in its By-laws:

1). Admonition;

2). Reprimand;

3). Removal from elected office or a ban on holding elected office in the Lodge for one term of office;

4). Expulsion from the Lodge.

Art. 157. The Grand Fraternal Court may impose the following penalties, subject to the conditions laid down in the Basic Law:

1). Admonition;

2). Reprimand;

3). Removal from elected office or a ban on holding elected office in the Grand Lodge;

4). Expulsion from the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria.

Art. 158.(1) Temporary suspension from office within the meaning of this Basic Law is not a penalty.

(2) The “placing in dormancy” of the voting right of a Constituent Lodge, the “placing in dormancy” of a Constituent Lodge and the expulsion of a Constituent Lodge are not penalties but organisational procedures.

Chapter Nine Rules of Masonic Intercourse

Section I Forms of Address of Freemasons

Art. 159. In ritual work and in correspondence within the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria, the following forms of address are used without exception:

a/ “Most Worshipful” - to the Grand Master;

b/ “Right Worshipful” - to the Grand Officers, 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;

c/ “Worshipful” - to the Worshipful Master of a Constituent Lodge;

d/ “Respected” – to a Brother Mason.

Section II Dress of Freemasons

Art. 160.(1) In ritual work the Brother Masons are obliged to wear:

a/ A black suit with a white shirt and a black tie or bow tie, and black shoes;

b/ An apron corresponding to the Symbolic Degree held;

c/ White gloves;

d/ The insignia of the Lodge of which they are members;

e/ The insignia of the office held, in the cases provided for in this Law;

(2) The wearing of civil decorations and badges of honour during ritual work is not permitted.

Art. 161. When a Table /Banquet/ Lodge is held, the dress described above is retained, the gloves and the apron being removed.

Art. 162. At meetings with uninitiated persons or seekers, the wearing of the apron, the gloves and the insignia is not permitted.

Section III Establishing Contacts between Freemasons

Art. 163.(1) In order to prove his membership of the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria, every Brother Mason is obliged to hold a Masonic Passport, and Master Masons must also hold a Certificate of the Symbolic Degree of Master Mason.

(2) The Masonic Passport and the Certificate referred to in the preceding paragraph are signed by the Grand Master and the Grand Secretary.

Art. 164.(1) A Brother Mason may establish Masonic contacts only when, observing the prescriptions of the Masonic Ritual, he has satisfied himself beyond doubt that the person with whom he is in contact belongs to Freemasonry.

(2) Every Brother Mason has the right to make himself known personally in profane contacts

as a Mason, but he is absolutely forbidden to name other Brethren whose membership of the Movement is known to him.

Art. 165.(1) A Brother Mason may not refuse a meeting requested by another Brother Mason, irrespective of the position the latter holds in civil society, and must render him the necessary assistance according to his means.

(2) Notwithstanding the provision of the preceding paragraph, a Brother Mason is not obliged to render to another Brother Mason such assistance as would conflict with the laws of civil society, the rules of the office he holds or generally accepted morality.

Section IV Inheritance of a Brother Mason

Art. 166. After his admission as a member, the Brother Mason must deliver to the Lodge into which he has been admitted a declaration, handwritten and signed by him, with the following content:

Declaration

I, the undersigned /full name/, declare that it is my wish that, after my death, all official Masonic regalia in my possession, the written documents and printed publications which I have received from the Lodge, from another Lodge of Freemasons or from the Grand Lodge, and also all the correspondence conducted in connection with my Masonic activity, be returned to the Lodge /name/.

Place:…………………………… Date:…………………………

Signature:………………………

Art. 167. The Brother Mason is obliged to keep a copy of the declaration together with his other Masonic belongings.

Transitional and Final Provisions

§ 1. All existing terms of office of the bodies of the Grand Lodge expire on St John's Day.

§ 2. For the purposes of this Basic Law, a full term of office means any term of office lasting not less than one year and six months.

§ 3. The existing alternate members of the Supreme Fraternal Court and of the Legal Commission automatically become full members of the Grand Fraternal Court and of the Grand Legal Commission.

§ 4. Following the adoption of the amendments and supplements to the Basic Law on 02.03.2002, a partial election is held by an Ordinary General Assembly for three members of the Grand Fraternal Court and one member of the Grand Legal Commission, whose term of office expires on St John's Day 2003.

§ 5. The Rules of Organisation for the activity of the bodies of the Grand Lodge provided for by this Basic Law must be adopted within three months of the adoption of the Basic Law.

§ 6. The Statute of Honours in the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria provided for by this Basic Law must be adopted by the General Assembly within three months of the adoption of the Basic Law.

§ 7. This Basic Law repeals the Rules for the Application of the Basic Law of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria, the Rules on the Activity of the Council of Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria and the Rules of Procedure for Masonic Justice.

§ 8. This Basic Law was adopted by the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge held on 20 September 1997, amended and supplemented by the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge held on 27 September 1999 and by the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge held on 24 November 2000, amended by the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge held on 22 March 2001, amended and supplemented by the General Assembly of the Grand Lodge held on 02.03.2001, and amended by the Grand General Assembly of the Grand Lodge held on 16.05.2009.

Appendix 1

Text of the Grand Master's Oath

To the Glory of the Great Architect of the Universe! In the name of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria,

I, the undersigned ....................................................................................,

elected by the will of the Master Masons of the Craft of the Ancient Masons as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Bulgaria, do solemnly swear upon my word as a man of honour:

In the name of my kin, my Fatherland, and of peace and harmony among all people on Earth,

• To continue the work of the venerable Past Grand Masters in the Building of the Temple within the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of A.F.&A.M. of Bulgaria.
• To guard the Light that has illumined this perfect and sovereign Grand Lodge.
• To observe strictly the traditions of the Craft and the application of the fundamental principles of regular Freemasonry in the course of the work of the Building.
• To further the preservation and strengthening of the Movement of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in the Republic of Bulgaria, and not to permit the severance of the Grand Lodge of A.F.&A.M. of Bulgaria from the Fraternal Chain of the World Union of regular Freemasonry.
• Not to place the Brethren – apprentices, fellow crafts and master masons – in subjection to the authority of any high-degree Masonic system.
• To safeguard the independence and autonomy of this Grand Lodge, and not to permit interference in the internal affairs of the Brotherhood by any foreign Masonic body whatsoever.

Taking upon myself the responsibilities of this sacred oath, I declare that my every deed and word shall be directed solely to the strengthening of Wisdom, Strength and Beauty among men, in the striving for the perfection of the whole human race.

So I swear!

Date.............................Signature.............................

Orient of Bulgaria