by Norman R. Draine
Regional Deputy General Grand Master for Europe

Monument to the Discoveries
Lisbon, Portugal,Erected 1960

The position of Regional Deputy for Europe brings the unique challenges of working with nine different countries, Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Romania, all with different religions, languages and cultures that must be respected. Since being appointed to this position at the last Triennial I attended the Annual Communication of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of France in early December 2017, along with Most Puissant Companion David Grindle. The Grand Council representatives were also invited as guests to attend the Grand Chapter of American Royal Arch Masons of France and the GLNF (Grande Loge Nationale Francaise) annual meeting.

This year in Europe the Masonic year starts with the Europe & Africa joint York Rite Conference on 2nd & 3rd March 2018 in Athens Greece, the Conference will be followed by the 22nd Grand Assembly of The Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Greece and the 23rd Grand Convocation of The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Greece, to which all Conference attendees will be invited. On 4th March I will depart Athens and fly to Larnaca Cyprus to assist the Grand Master in Constituting the Grand Council of Cyprus.

On 6th March I fly back to the UK for one day and on 8th March I fly to Lisbon Portugal to attend their 20th Annual Assembly. Austria is due to hold its annual York Rite meeting on 28th April in Vienna and the Annual York Rite of Italy will be held in Naples on 4th & 5th May. A Masonic week is to be held in Bucharest Romania from 5th to 9th June, and the annual York Rite meeting in France will be held on 30th November and 1st December. All dates can be checked on the General Grand Council website.

I would encourage anyone to visit these European countries where you can be assured of a warm welcome from the Companions.