We have a saying in the UK “great oaks from little acorns grow” appropriate when you try to imagine who on the 12th November 2016 at the advancement ceremony of 5 Romanian brethren into The Mark Internet Lodge (TMIL) in the relatively small Province of Monmouthshire would believe that it could possibly grow into a District of over 1000 members in less than 8 years, and in the process acquiring the largest membership of any District within the constitution of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales.
I consider myself fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time not only to witness these events but to have been able to participate in the development of a District. To put this into context, in the UK a Provincial Grand Master would consider himself fortunate if during the term of his office he was able to consecrate one new Lodge.
The “Introduction of the Mark Degree in Romania” published for the constitution of the District of Romania explains in some detail how the District was formed. The key elements being firstly W Bro. Roy Morris’s vision when as the Primus Master of TMIL he undertook the advancement of the first 5 Romanian brethren. Secondly, the meeting between the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons (GLMMM) RW Bro. Ryan Williams and the Grand Master of the National Grand Lodge of Romania MW Bro. Radu Balanescu in March 2017, and thirdly, the hardwork and dedication of the officers and brethren of TMIL travelling on numerous occasions over the next 2 years during which time they advanced over 150 brethren into the Order.
The total support of the GLMMM was soon evident as during 2018 the first three Romanian Mark Lodges Alexandru Vaida Voevod, Nicolae Titulescu and Mihail Kogalniceanu were consecrated by the Deputy Grand Master, Pro Grand Master and Assistant Grand Master respectively. A further 4 Lodges were to follow before in October 2019 the Inspectorate of Romania was constituted by the Pro Grand Master MW Bro Raymond John Smith. With such a firm foundation it should be of no great surprise that despite the impact of Covid a further 10 Lodges were consecrated over the next three years leading to the constitution of the Mark District of Romania by the Grand Master MW Bro HRH Prince Michael of Kent on the 12th November 2022, six years to the day after the first brethren were advance into the Order.
Since then the District under RW Bro Cristian Mihutoiu has continued to grow and today it comprises 23 Lodges and a membership of 1260 brethren. So, much for the past, now what about the future. My vision is that in the immediate future the Mark Degree should continue to grow steadily throughout the country with perhaps the ultimate aim being for 2 or 3 Craft Lodges supporting each Mark Lodge. After which who knows, certainly the Royal Ark Mariner degree and the Orders being administered from and by Mark Masons’ Hall could have a significant part to play in the future development of freemasonry in Romania, that is for the current and future membership to determine, they certainly have a sound foundation from which to work.
RW Bro. Derek Thomas
Past PGM Monmouthshire GMRAC