
Areopagus Lodge
Encyclopedia
The Areopagus Lodge, was the first Masonic lodge
in Brazil
, founded in 1796 in Itambé, Pernambuco
by Manoel Arruda Camara, a former Carmelite friar.
The lodge's initial members included the brothers of the Alvarez family, the three Cavalcanti de Albuquerque brothers, priests Velho Cardoso, Pereira Tinoco, Montenegro Albuquerque, Joao Pessoa Ribeiro, and José Luis Lima Cavalcanti, the latter being the vicar of Recife
, Pernambuco.
The Aeropagus Lodge's Masonic Obedience was the Grand Orient of Pernambuco Independent, affiliated with the Masonic Confederation of Brazil. The lodge was founded as a political project, based on the struggle for equality, liberty and fraternity. The location of the foundation of the First Masonic Lodge in Brazil was strategic, because the house where it was founded was on the borderline of the two cities of the states of Pernambuco and Paraiba, formerly Villas of the provinces of Pernambuco and Paraiba. According to the documents and historical references made by former residents of both cities, it is said that the Areopagite, and masons of the time, constantly gathered in that house and artifacts, symbols and insignia were taken to the meeting and after each meeting were taken to the home of the Masons not to arouse suspicion. However, due to the constant flow of influential people on the roads nearby, the influence of Freemasonry was perceived, and complaints were made to the Imperial power, who by 1802, sent a troop of the Imperial Guard
to the region. Some Masons fled, to sow Masonry
in other locations, such as Merchants of Cape St. Agosatinho, Recife
, and other Igarassu
.
Masonic Lodge
This article is about the Masonic term for a membership group. For buildings named Masonic Lodge, see Masonic Lodge A Masonic Lodge, often termed a Private Lodge or Constituent Lodge, is the basic organisation of Freemasonry...
in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, founded in 1796 in Itambé, Pernambuco
Itambé, Pernambuco
Itambé is a city located in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Located at 99 km away from Recife, capital of the state of Pernambuco. Has an estimated population of 36.126 inhabitants.-Geography:* State - Pernambuco...
by Manoel Arruda Camara, a former Carmelite friar.

Recife
Recife is the fifth-largest metropolitan area in Brazil with 4,136,506 inhabitants, the largest metropolitan area of the North/Northeast Regions, the 5th-largest metropolitan influence area in Brazil, and the capital and largest city of the state of Pernambuco. The population of the city proper...
, Pernambuco.
The Aeropagus Lodge's Masonic Obedience was the Grand Orient of Pernambuco Independent, affiliated with the Masonic Confederation of Brazil. The lodge was founded as a political project, based on the struggle for equality, liberty and fraternity. The location of the foundation of the First Masonic Lodge in Brazil was strategic, because the house where it was founded was on the borderline of the two cities of the states of Pernambuco and Paraiba, formerly Villas of the provinces of Pernambuco and Paraiba. According to the documents and historical references made by former residents of both cities, it is said that the Areopagite, and masons of the time, constantly gathered in that house and artifacts, symbols and insignia were taken to the meeting and after each meeting were taken to the home of the Masons not to arouse suspicion. However, due to the constant flow of influential people on the roads nearby, the influence of Freemasonry was perceived, and complaints were made to the Imperial power, who by 1802, sent a troop of the Imperial Guard
Imperial Guard
The Imperial Guard was originally a small group of elite soldiers of the French Army under the direct command of Napoleon I, but grew considerably over time. It acted as his bodyguard and tactical reserve, and he was careful of its use in battle...
to the region. Some Masons fled, to sow Masonry
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
in other locations, such as Merchants of Cape St. Agosatinho, Recife
Recife
Recife is the fifth-largest metropolitan area in Brazil with 4,136,506 inhabitants, the largest metropolitan area of the North/Northeast Regions, the 5th-largest metropolitan influence area in Brazil, and the capital and largest city of the state of Pernambuco. The population of the city proper...
, and other Igarassu
Igarassu
Igarassu is a city in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco. It is situated on the north coast of the metropolitan region of Recife, approximately 32 km north of the city of Recife...
.
See Also
- War of the PeddlersMascate WarMascate War, The War of the Peddlers or Guerra dos Mascates was a conflict fought between rival groups of commerce in Olinda and Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil from 1710 to 1711....
- History of PernambucoHistory of PernambucoThe history of Pernambuco begins before the discovery of Brazil, when the current state of the territory was populated by Tabajara Indians.- Colonial Period: the province of Pernambuco :...