An interview with The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Russia, Andrei Bogdanov

In the following, will present to readers' attention an interview with the Grand Master of Russia's Grand Lodge, Andrei Vladimirovich Bogdanov. I also want to thank the Grand Master for he has agreed to take the time for this interview.

For russian click here and for romanian click here.

Andrei Vladimirovich, usually, people associate freemasonry with terms like power, money, etc. What do you think, what is actually Freemasonry? I am asking this question not only because you are the Grand Master of Russia's Grand Lodge, but also because you have gone a long way in freemasonry over the years. Did you understand the meaning of freemasonry even since you were profane?

Actually, compared to our western brethren, my journey is not so long in freemasonry but only 18 years. For Western Europe, this is a fairly small term. For Eastern Europe, yes, it is quite long. Therefore, I would mention that for 11 years I have been the Grand Master, and in many international aspects of freemasonry, I have probably had a lot of affinities. But what is Masonry?! You know, I have not found a conclusive answer, myself. Simply, because the term "freemasonry" is multilateral. It is both brotherhood and study. Yes, for someone this involves only contacts in the business sphere but for someone else it is spirituality, for another could mean the other half of his life. Many of our brethren simply live in freemasonry. We also have those who visit the Lodge very rarely. They pay the fee, visit us rarely, but nevertheless they are considered freemasons and no one judges them for it, and even more, they are not expelled. Everyone has his own way in life through freemasonry, and each one sees personal boundaries in freemasonry.

How was your journey in life until you have been initiated? Many believes that once you have been "accepted" in freemasonry, your life will change radically and everything that does not work properly will resolve itself. How was it for you?

If my life has changed radically? ... Probably not. I think it radically changed my personal considerations about more things, different living situations. For example, freemasonry taught me to plan well. I mean, I know my schedule for 5 years. I know when, the precise day where will I be, at which meeting or with whom I will meet, in Russia or elsewhere. This is a masonic aspect. But if you plan like this, considering the masonic aspect, then in your everyday life you can also schedule, at least half a year. I'm sure that the overwhelming majority in Russia do not know what's awaiting over half a year.

I understand you have a very busy schedule. However, how do you find time for fishing, picking mushrooms?

Freemasonry does not have interfere with family, work or other hobbies. Before initiation we always ask the candidates: “We gather ourselves once a month (our Lodge). Is this going to make your family uncomfortable or causing trouble at work? Will it be at any inconvenience for you?" If the man is willing to offer 5-6 hours per month for the Lodge's work, then we do not see any impediment. Another aspect is that many times, one offers from his time not just a day of the month but much more, of his own will. We organize many charitable events again, without harming the family budget. That money should not be taken from the family that could later suffer shortcomings. If your personal budget allows you, if you have a decent income and you can afford to give some for charity, this is welcomed.

Moreover, in any Lodge, we have the "widow's trunk". None of us lives forever and when we go to the Eternal Orient our relatives will be in need of financial support. In this "widow's trunk" there are some resources to use. Everyone puts money there, with the fist close down inside the sack so no one has know how much you have put. Moreover, if you are in need and need money, you can get from there. No one can see what you are doing, so it was thought up from the beginning. And no one can tell you anything if you are in need. That is why the family is the first. First, the Family, then the Motherland, then Freemasonry.

Topics like politics and religion are not allowed to be discussed on a Lodge meeting. However, you are active in politics, and even some time ago you have been the leader of the Communist Party of Social Justice. In Russia, as we know, during Soviet power (eminently communist), Freemasonry was outlawed. Personally, how do you combine these two aspects?

Freemasonry in Russia was outlawed yet during Tsarism. And then, regular Freemasonry did not exist in Russia at that time, so I do not find it correct to say that the Soviet power has banned Freemasonry.

How did you get to Freemasonry?

Probably the way most get. I found out that a close friend is a mason. I knew him very well and realized that he could not have attended a dubious organization. Probably a year or two I have documented and, behold, in 2000 I was initiated. More precisely, in 2000 I became an apprentice and in 2001 I was raised to the second degree, then Master Mason. 

You mentioned at one point in our discussion that you have visited Romania several times.

Yes, in Romania I was about 25-30 times. I even managed to go fishing there.

Where exactly? Do you have any places you liked most of all?

At the Danube, near the sea, in the Delta. By the way, in Romania most of the times we go along with the Moldavian brothers from the Grand Lodge of Moldova. In Moldova I visited Cricova, I liked it very much. The brothers also organized a trip.

What was the biggest trophy in Romania?

3 asps of impressive size. But also pike and zander.

But in your fisherman career, which is the biggest trophy so far?

It happened in Astrahani, in our country, in Russia. We caught there a pike of about 5 pounds and a few wels catfish up to 25 pounds. But for the wels catfish, it is not a record. In Astrakhan, fish are sampled from 60 to 90 pounds.

You mentioned the Grand Lodge of Moldova before. Do you have close relationships?

Yes, we have very close relationships. Not long ago, at the Permian Convent, we met with the representative of the Grand Lodge of Moldova. I have visited Moldova only twice. But with the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Moldova we often meet in France, the UK. Our wives are friends.

Thank you and I hope to see you again as soon as possible.