Hubert V. Kopp, 33°
Sovereign Grand Commander, Supreme Council for Germany
Rembrandtstrasse 18, D-60596
Frankfurt, Germany

Scottish Rite Freemasonry prospers in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Freemasonry derives its life from, and lives with, legends. Then, why should there not also be legends concerning the Prussian King Frederick II, better known as Frederick the Great, who is said to have initiated and signed the Constitutions of 1786? Unfortunately, the archives of the "Grand National Mother Lodge 'of the Three World Globes,'" which was founded by Frederick the Great, do not have any traces which confirm the aforementioned activity.

But it is a tendency of legends not to necessarily correspond with historical reality. We know this from our rituals whose legends only have symbolic value. Thus understood, Frederick the Great certainly stands in his time as a monarch and Mason who considered himself obligated to the Enlightenment and who set himself to the task of the essential advancement of Masonry. We are proud to designate Brother Frederick II as one of ours, even though we are unable to refer to him in the annals of our Order. For the historically informed Brother, it is already clear why it was only first possible in 1930, contrary to the stated will of the then reigning Old Prussian Grand Lodges, to found and install the Supreme Council for Germany, of the 33rd and last Degree, of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. The Old Prussian Grand Lodges had their own high degree system, so no need existed for others. Consequently, the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Germany, which was founded in 1930 as a Craft basis for the Scottish Rite, was not recognized by the Grand Lodges then working in Germany. The prohibition against Freemasonry in Germany by the Fascists ended further discussion on the question of recognition. The Symbolic Grand Lodge and the Supreme Council were inevitably placed in exile in Prague and Jerusalem.

It would take 15 years, until the end of the Second World War, for the Supreme Council for Germany to resume labor on February 22, 1948. Fascism performed its groundwork, and the rest of the devastating destruction was the result of war. The east block of Germany was lost, and in the Soviet-occupied Zone, the Communists continued a regime of terror. There remained the Western-occupied Zone, in which Freemasons who survived from before 1933 awaited the difficult task of a new beginning.

In the meantime 50 years have passed. In 1949, in Frankfurt's Church of St. Paul, the United Grand Lodge of Germany was called to life from the remnants of the former ten Grand Lodges. Today, the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Germany, which has since changed its name to the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Germany, is one of the three partner Grand Lodges comprising the United Grand Lodges of Germany.

With this Grand Lodge A.F.& A.M. of Germany in place, the Supreme Council for Germany was able to make a concordat which regulates the respective jurisdictions with trustful cooperation. Thus, the Supreme Council has a broad Craft basis from which the Scottish Rite draws its members.

There are now 99 Scottish Rite Bodies in the Federal Republic of Germany. Fortunately, following the reunification of Germany, Freemasonry could begin completely anew in the former Soviet-occupied Zone (later German Democratic Republic) when, in 1997, the first Lodge of Perfection in Magdeburg commenced its labors. Additional Lodges of Perfection and Chapters are being established, so that with this new beginning, finally, the dark chapter of first Fascist and then Communist oppression in Germany is closed.

The Supreme Council for Germany is now recognized by 48 Supreme Councils of the World. They were all a great support to us. Since October 18, 1951, we have been recognized by the Supreme Council, 33° (Mother Council of the World), Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, USA. Since that time, there have existed traditional close and friendly relations between the two Supreme Councils, evidenced by the mutual bestowal of Honorary Memberships on the officiating Grand Commanders. We are, therefore, looking forward with great pleasure and anticipation to the bicentennial celebration of the Mother Supreme Council in 2001 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Hubert V. Kopp has been Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council for Germany since 1997. He became a member of the Craft in 1959, is a Past Master and Past District Grand Master as well as a founder of a new Lodge in Hanover. He joined the Scottish Rite in 1968, was raised a 33° in 1985, and has been an Active Member of the Supreme Council, A.A.S.R. of Germany, since 1990. Ill. Kopp, who is a publisher and editor, is an Honorary Member Emeritus and Representative in Germany of our Supreme Council.