Freemasons Hall Damaged by Explosion in Greece

On Thursday morning, an explosion damaged a hall used by the Freemasons in Greece. The Masonic Hall, located in Central Athens, was only minimally damaged.

The blast was reportedly caused by an improvised explosive device (IED). The bomb detonated after police arrived on the scene but no one was injured in the ensuing fire.

The Freemasons have had a presence in Greece since the late 18th century before the country gained its independence from the Ottoman Empire. It is not yet known who the perpetrator is or why they specifically targeted the Masonic Hall in Athens.

Bomb detonated at Masonic Hall in Athens

According to the police, a call was received at 6:30 a.m. from an unidentified individual who reported the placement of a bomb at Acharnon Street The address corresponds to the Athens Masonic Hall. However, no specific time for the explosion was mentioned.

State-run broadcaster ERT reported that residents in the vicinity, who were alarmed by the initial explosion, promptly contacted the police and described experiencing a discernible shockwave. As a result, Acharnon Avenue was temporarily closed, leading to significant traffic congestion in adjacent streets.

Upon arrival, the officers established a perimeter and secured a section of the street. Shortly thereafter, the device detonated, resulting in a minor fire outside the building. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. A bomb disposal unit subsequently discovered a second device within the premises, which was safely neutralized through a controlled explosion.

“The explosion took place, which was very strong. I told the police what he was wearing and everything. I turned and as soon as I reached the corner the explosion happened and this person ran here and started shouting,” an eyewitness told ERT.

The IED that detonated consisted of a small LPG bottle, an old mobile phone, batteries, and cables. Adjacent to it, a paper box was discovered containing a second mechanism.

The Freemasons in Greece

The Freemasons have had a presence in Greece since the late 18th century. According to the official website of the Grand Lodge of Greece, “Freemasonry has been practiced by its members by promoting Virtue, Morality, and Justice; cardinal values we should all abide by throughout our lives.”

The first Masonic Lodge in Greece was established in 1782 in Corfu, which was under Venetian rule at the time. Known as “Beneficenza,” this lodge operated under the guidance of the Grand Lodge of Verona in Padova, Italy. Concurrently, Greek diaspora members began establishing lodges both in Greece and abroad.

A significant development occurred in 1810 when Dionisios Romas united the “Agathoergia” and “Philogeneia” Lodges, forming the first Grand Lodge in the Greek vicinity. This newly established organization was called the “Serene Grand Orient of Greece, in the Orient of Corfu” in 1811, and marked a significant milestone in Greek Freemasonry.

According to the website, “Freemasonry is a peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols. A universal progressive, and philosophical institution promoting philanthropy and aiming toward a higher sense of ethos among its members.”

The Freemasons have long been associated with secrecy and various mysteries and conspiracy theories. Conversely, the organization insists that “Freemasonry is not a secret society, however our Lodge meetings are merely private, members-only meetings, similar to meetings of other clubs, such as gentlemen’s clubs, or sports-clubs.”