Freemasonry in Ukraine
Encyclopedia
Freemasonry in Ukraine has appeared sometime in mid 18th century when the first lodges were created on its territory at that time within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
.
in 1742 by Polish noblemen. In Lviv the first lodge of Three Goddesses appeared in 1758 (part of Austro-Hungary).
The first lodge in Malorossiya (Russian Empire
) was established in Kiev
in 1784 by Russian officers. One of the members of that lodge which was named Bessmertie was Hryhoriy Skovoroda. The lodge was created eventually after the first Partition of Poland. The next year 1784 three lodges have appeared in Kremenchuk
: Mars, Dobry Pastyr, and Minerva
. The last one Minerva was transferred to the Dnieper banks from the city of Podolie
Nemyriv
. It is known that freemasonry existed in Kharkiv, Vinnytsia, Yekaterinoslav, Berdichev, others. Later (1780-90s) couple lodges existed in each of the following cities Dubno
, Kremenchuk
, Zhytomyr
, and Kiev
(Bessmertie and Tri kolonny). (Tri kolonny was recreated in 1993.) In 19th century the popularity of them only increased throughout Ukraine and Crimea.
In the Sloboda Ukraine
existed a lodge "Palitsynska Akademia". The "Malorusian Secret Brotherhood" that was created by V.Lukashevych and sought the independence of Ukraine also was connected with freemasonry movement that continued to spread rapidly. In Kharkiv the most famous was the lodge "Umirayushchiy Sfinks" (Dying Sphinx) that was created sometime after 1764 when Kharkiv was visited by a Moscow University professor Viganda. To the lodge belong numerous rectors of the Kharkiv University
such as A.Perovsky (relative of K.Rozumovsky), Peter Hulak-Artemovsky (rector in 1841 and uncle of Semen Hulak-Artemovsky
), and others.
There was a lodge in Kiev "Obiedinyonnyie slovyane" (United Slavs) that was known to account for some 84 members among which was Peter Troubetzkoy
(see Trubetzkoy family).
In Kiev existed a freemasonry lodge "Pravda", member of which was Mykhailo Hrushevsky
. In 1912 during a Moscow's convocation of Freemasons of the Russian Empire he caused major polemics in regards of naming the convention. Instead of the "Big Congress of Russia", his proposal was the "Big Congress of peoples of Russia".
In 1822 Aleksandr I issued an order prohibiting freemasonry and it seemed that it will stop, however, the movement since then simply went underground. It is suspected that the Brotherhood of Saints Cyril and Methodius
was connected to the movement, members of which were Panteleimon Kulish and Taras Shevchenko
. Another prominent Ukrainian Freemason was the leader of the Ukrainian liberation movement of 19th century Mykhailo Drahomanov
.
, Semen Kochubei, Mykhailo Hrushevsky
, Symon Petlyura, brother of Mykola Vasylenko, Volodymyr Zatonsky
, Vyacheslav Prokopovych
, Kyrylo Rozumovsky, Semen Hamalia, Oleksandr Lozynsky, Volodymyr Lozynsky, Serhiy Yefremov
, Moishe Zilberfarb, the Kyiv city builder Ginzburg, Kapnist, and many others. On territory of Ukraine existed the Order of Martynists that was connected to Pavlo Skoropadsky
.
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was a dualistic state of Poland and Lithuania ruled by a common monarch. It was the largest and one of the most populous countries of 16th- and 17th‑century Europe with some and a multi-ethnic population of 11 million at its peak in the early 17th century...
.
Development of the freemasonry movement
On a record the first lodge of Three Brothers was created in the village of Vyshnivka in VolhyniaVolhynia
Volhynia, Volynia, or Volyn is a historic region in western Ukraine located between the rivers Prypiat and Southern Bug River, to the north of Galicia and Podolia; the region is named for the former city of Volyn or Velyn, said to have been located on the Southern Bug River, whose name may come...
in 1742 by Polish noblemen. In Lviv the first lodge of Three Goddesses appeared in 1758 (part of Austro-Hungary).
The first lodge in Malorossiya (Russian Empire
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
) was established in Kiev
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
in 1784 by Russian officers. One of the members of that lodge which was named Bessmertie was Hryhoriy Skovoroda. The lodge was created eventually after the first Partition of Poland. The next year 1784 three lodges have appeared in Kremenchuk
Kremenchuk
Kremenchuk is an important industrial city in the Poltava Oblast of central Ukraine. Serving as the administrative center of the Kremenchutskyi Raion , the city itself is also designated as a separate raion within the oblast, and is located on the banks of Dnieper River.-History:Kremenchuk was...
: Mars, Dobry Pastyr, and Minerva
Minerva
Minerva was the Roman goddess whom Romans from the 2nd century BC onwards equated with the Greek goddess Athena. She was the virgin goddess of poetry, medicine, wisdom, commerce, weaving, crafts, magic...
. The last one Minerva was transferred to the Dnieper banks from the city of Podolie
Podolie
Podolie is a village and municipality in Nové Mesto nad Váhom District in the Trenčín Region of western Slovakia.-Geography:The municipality lies at an altitude of 180 metres and covers an area of 17.266km². It has a population of about 2056 people....
Nemyriv
Nemyriv
Nemyriv is a historic city in the Vinnytsia Oblast of western Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Nemyriv Raion . Nemyriv is one of the eldest cities in Vinnytska oblast, Ukraine...
. It is known that freemasonry existed in Kharkiv, Vinnytsia, Yekaterinoslav, Berdichev, others. Later (1780-90s) couple lodges existed in each of the following cities Dubno
Dubno
Dubno is a city located on the Ikva River in the Rivne Oblast of western Ukraine. Serving as the administrative center of Dubno Raion , the city itself is also designated as a separate raion within the oblast...
, Kremenchuk
Kremenchuk
Kremenchuk is an important industrial city in the Poltava Oblast of central Ukraine. Serving as the administrative center of the Kremenchutskyi Raion , the city itself is also designated as a separate raion within the oblast, and is located on the banks of Dnieper River.-History:Kremenchuk was...
, Zhytomyr
Zhytomyr
Zhytomyr is a city in the North of the western half of Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Zhytomyr Oblast , as well as the administrative center of the surrounding Zhytomyr Raion...
, and Kiev
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
(Bessmertie and Tri kolonny). (Tri kolonny was recreated in 1993.) In 19th century the popularity of them only increased throughout Ukraine and Crimea.
In the Sloboda Ukraine
Sloboda Ukraine
Sloboda Ukraine was a historical region which developed and flourished in the 17th and 18th centuries on the southwestern frontier of the Tsardom of Russia....
existed a lodge "Palitsynska Akademia". The "Malorusian Secret Brotherhood" that was created by V.Lukashevych and sought the independence of Ukraine also was connected with freemasonry movement that continued to spread rapidly. In Kharkiv the most famous was the lodge "Umirayushchiy Sfinks" (Dying Sphinx) that was created sometime after 1764 when Kharkiv was visited by a Moscow University professor Viganda. To the lodge belong numerous rectors of the Kharkiv University
Kharkiv University
The University of Kharkiv or officially the Vasyl Karazin Kharkiv National University is one of the major universities in Ukraine, and earlier in the Russian Empire and Soviet Union...
such as A.Perovsky (relative of K.Rozumovsky), Peter Hulak-Artemovsky (rector in 1841 and uncle of Semen Hulak-Artemovsky
Semen Hulak-Artemovsky
Semen Stepanovych Hulak-Artemovsky , was a Ukrainian opera composer, singer , actor, and dramatist who lived and worked in Imperial Russia....
), and others.
There was a lodge in Kiev "Obiedinyonnyie slovyane" (United Slavs) that was known to account for some 84 members among which was Peter Troubetzkoy
Peter Troubetzkoy
Pyotr Petrovich Troubetzkoy, was a Russian diplomat, administrator and general.Troubetzkoy was born in Tulcin in 1822.His first wife was Varvara Yourievna Troubetzkoy.In 1844 he was appointed governor of Smolensk, and Orel....
(see Trubetzkoy family).
In Kiev existed a freemasonry lodge "Pravda", member of which was Mykhailo Hrushevsky
Mykhailo Hrushevsky
Mykhailo Serhiyovych Hrushevsky was a Ukrainian academician, politician, historian, and statesman, one of the most important figures of the Ukrainian national revival of the early 20th century...
. In 1912 during a Moscow's convocation of Freemasons of the Russian Empire he caused major polemics in regards of naming the convention. Instead of the "Big Congress of Russia", his proposal was the "Big Congress of peoples of Russia".
In 1822 Aleksandr I issued an order prohibiting freemasonry and it seemed that it will stop, however, the movement since then simply went underground. It is suspected that the Brotherhood of Saints Cyril and Methodius
Brotherhood of Saints Cyril and Methodius
The Brotherhood of Saints Cyril and Methodius was a short-lived secret political society that existed in Kiev, Ukraine, at the time a part of the Russian Empire...
was connected to the movement, members of which were Panteleimon Kulish and Taras Shevchenko
Taras Shevchenko
Taras Hryhorovych Shevchenko -Life:Born into a serf family of Hryhoriy Ivanovych Shevchenko and Kateryna Yakymivna Shevchenko in the village of Moryntsi, of Kiev Governorate of the Russian Empire Shevchenko was orphaned at the age of eleven...
. Another prominent Ukrainian Freemason was the leader of the Ukrainian liberation movement of 19th century Mykhailo Drahomanov
Mykhailo Drahomanov
Mykhailo Petrovych Drahomanov was a Ukrainian political theorist, economist, historian, philosopher, ethnographer and public figure in Kiev. Born to a noble family of Petro Yakymovych Drahomanov who was of a Cossack descent. Mykhailo Drahomanov started his education at home, then studied at the...
.
Personalities
Among the most prominent Freemasons in Ukraine were Ivan KotlyarevskyIvan Kotlyarevsky
Ivan Petrovych Kotlyarevsky , was a Ukrainian writer, poet and playwright, regarded as the pioneer of modern Ukrainian literature. Kotliarevsky was a veteran of the Russo-Turkish War.- Biography :...
, Semen Kochubei, Mykhailo Hrushevsky
Mykhailo Hrushevsky
Mykhailo Serhiyovych Hrushevsky was a Ukrainian academician, politician, historian, and statesman, one of the most important figures of the Ukrainian national revival of the early 20th century...
, Symon Petlyura, brother of Mykola Vasylenko, Volodymyr Zatonsky
Volodymyr Zatonsky
Volodymyr Zatonsky was a Soviet politician, Communist Party activist, member of the Ukrainian SSR Academy of Sciences ....
, Vyacheslav Prokopovych
Vyacheslav Prokopovych
Vyacheslav Prokopovych was a Ukrainian politician and historian.Since 1905, he was a politician of the Ukrainian Democratic-Radical Party , established in Kiev. At the end of World War I, he was a member of the Ukrainian Party of Socialists-Federalists and Central Rada...
, Kyrylo Rozumovsky, Semen Hamalia, Oleksandr Lozynsky, Volodymyr Lozynsky, Serhiy Yefremov
Serhiy Yefremov
Serhiy Yefremov was a Ukrainian literary journalist, historian, critic, political activist, statesman, and academician. He was a member of the Ukrainian Academy of Science and Shevchenko Scientific Society in Lviv...
, Moishe Zilberfarb, the Kyiv city builder Ginzburg, Kapnist, and many others. On territory of Ukraine existed the Order of Martynists that was connected to Pavlo Skoropadsky
Pavlo Skoropadsky
Pavlo Petrovych Skoropadskyi 3 May 1873, Wiesbaden, Germany – 26 April 1945, Metten monastery clinic, Bavaria, Germany) was a Ukrainian politician, earlier an aristocrat and decorated Imperial Russian Army general...
.