For a long time, Freemasonry was a favorite topic of conspiracy theories and urban legends. Even today, despite the abundance of literature and information about the activities of this society, one of the most mysterious organizations in history is often called occult, treacherous and harmful. Russia is no exception in this regard. The role of Freemasonry, which came from the West European countries at the beginning of the 18th century, remains the subject of heated debate. The first representatives of a secret society in Russia were foreigners accepted into the service of Peter the Great.
Is the emperor a freemason?
In accordance with one version, which, however, has no documentary evidence, the restless king reformer himself joined the ranks of free masons. In our time, it is no longer possible to find out what role Peter the Great actually played in the creation and development of a secret society. However, it is difficult to argue that in the architecture of St. Petersburg, founded by the first Russian emperor, there are many symbols associated with Freemasonry.
Secret signs
The issue of the influence of the organization of free masons on Russian art culture is carefully considered in a scientific dissertation, the author of which is Karvelis Mark Antonovich. The defense of this research work took place in 2010 at St. Petersburg State University. The dissertation is called "Masonic symbolism in Russian culture." She seeks to give an objective assessment of the role of free masons in domestic history. The applicant for the degree of candidate of cultural science in his work emphasizes the importance of the contribution of the Masonic Order to the cause of moral and humanistic education. The author tried to comprehensively recreate the picture of the appearance and development of the fraternity of free masons in Russia and to overcome the deep-rooted negative ideas about this organization. In addition, Mark Carvelis talks about the esoteric knowledge of society, as well as its secret symbolism and complex system of rituals.
Founders of the Brotherhood
History has not preserved reliable evidence of the personal involvement of Peter the Great in the activities of the secret order, but the names of his close associates Franz Lefort, Jacob Bruce and Patrick Gordon are traditionally associated with Freemasonry. All of them were foreigners in the service of the Russian Tsar. Among contemporaries there were the most incredible legends about the Scotsman Jacob Bruce, a brilliant engineer, as well as a military and statesman. Popular rumor called Peter's associate a sorcerer and a warlock and attributed to him supernatural abilities. Mystical rumors are explained by the fact that one of the most educated people of that era caused misunderstanding among superstitious contemporaries. However, it is entirely possible to admit that a progressive engineer and scientist belong to a secret order striving to change the world.
Sources and Traces
Marc Carvelis limits the chronological framework of his research to the period of intensive development of the organization of free masons. The heyday of the Masonic movement in Russia lasted from the middle of the 18th to the beginning of the 19th century. In the same period, the country actively became acquainted with secular European culture and philosophy. One of the goals of his research work, Mark Karvelis, revealed the rituals, rituals, and secret signs of Russian freemasons.
The author comes to an interesting conclusion: free masons did not create any original symbolism, but borrowed all of their attributes from Kabbalah, pagan cults, medieval craft unions, and military religious chivalry orders. Mark Karvelis argues that the influence of the Masonic movement on the development of Russian philosophy, literature, painting and architecture is difficult to overestimate. In his opinion, the activities of the fraternity of free masons is an integral part of the domestic spiritual heritage.
Influence on Architecture
Discussions about the presence of Masonic symbols on buildings built in the 18-19th centuries took place long before Mark Carvelis touched on this topic in his dissertation. St. Petersburg is especially rich in such architectural monuments. Peter the Great, who was impressed by the visit to Amsterdam, tried to erect a similar city on the banks of the Neva. According to one of the legends, the king-reformer, while in England, consulted on the construction of a new capital with Isaac Newton.
Perhaps the most famous Masonic symbol is the so-called "all-seeing eye." This sign is an eye located above an unfinished pyramid. The meaning of this image is that the Architect of the Universe oversees the work of the members of the fraternity. The All-Seeing Eye is rooted in Christianity and symbolizes conscience and absolute good. This sign is present on the main seal of the government of the United States of America and a one-dollar note. It is worth noting that the founding of the United States at the end of the 18th century coincided with the heyday of world Freemasonry.
In the northern capital of Russia, this ancient Christian symbol, borrowed from the organization of free masons, can be seen on the Alexander Column, Kazan Cathedral and the Church of St. John the Baptist. At some St. Petersburg mansions there are such Masonic signs as a compass and a triangle.
