N∴G∴L∴R∴

PAST GRAND MASTERS

A Grand Master is a title of honor, as well as an office in Freemasonry, granted - by majority vote obtained within a Convent - to a Freemason, he being thus elected to oversee a Masonic Jurisdiction.

B. 15 FEBRUARY 1968, BUCHAREST

GRAND MASTER: 2021 - 2023

George 
Vladimir Ivașcu​

sep

He was born in Bucharest, on February 15, 1968. He graduated from the Academy of Theater and Film in 1993, in the class of Professor Gelu Colceag. He defended his Doctor thesis in Performing Arts, with the thesis "The logic of the absurd in the performing arts of the twentieth century". He is the dean of the Faculty of Theater at the National University of Theater and Cinematography „I.L. Caragiale” since 2019. Since 1993 he has been an actor employed at the Bucharest Comedy Theater (1993), at the Lucia Sturdza Bulandra Theater in Bucharest (1995) and at the National Theater ”I.L. Caragiale” (1997). Collaborating actor at the Odeon Theater, at the Nottara Theater, at the Theatrum Mundi, all of them in Bucharest, at the Radu Stanca National Theater in Sibiu, at the National Television Theater and at the National Radio Theater. 

Since 2006 he has been the Manager/Founder of the Metropolis Youth Theater in Bucharest, founded in 2006, the first project theater in Romania. He initiated the project in order to recognize the merits of the artists by awarding stars on Aleea Celebrităţilor (Walk of Fame) in Piaţa Timpului. George Ivașcu founded the first online cultural daily newspaper in Romania – Metropolis Newspaper. He was Minister of Culture and National Identity in the year of the Centenary of the Great Union, 2018. He drafted the Programmatic Document on the Centenary of Romania and the Government Decision no. 17/2018 for the establishment of a state aid scheme to support the film industry. He represented Romania at the Annual Meeting of Ministers of Culture of the European countries, at the level of the European Union Council, at the first Romanian-Polish government meeting and at the International Cultural Summit in Edinburgh. 

In short, he is an actor in 50 main roles in theater performances, over 20 roles in feature films, over 50 roles in television shows, over 100 roles in radio theater performances, over 10 shows directed in in the country and abroad. He has received over 30 awards and diplomas of excellence in the field of art, culture and management. He has numerous participations in National and International Festivals. He was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit with the rank of Knight, Performing Arts.

About his professional life, he states: “Acting has always been the dream of my life, so any time spent on stage or rehearsals is the ultimate joy, otherwise the pedagogy is wonderful, especially when you see that your students become great actors. I believe that the secret of the time I do not have is the joy of concentrating everything and enjoying every moment." He is a remarkable, nonconformist actor. Refuses distribution in poor quality plays. He hates the obscene. 

He has been initiated as Freemason on December 18, 1999 in R∴L∴ Mihail Kogălniceanu No. 65, Or∴ Bucharest, received the degree of Fellow Craft on March 25, 2000 in the same Lodge and the sublime one of Master on June 21, 2000, in R∴L∴ Isaac Newton No. 82, Or∴ Bucharest. Worshipful Master of: R∴L∴ Isaac Newton No. 82, Or∴ Bucharest, between 2007-2008 and 2008-2009. He held the office of Grand Master of Ceremonies of the Grand National Lodge of Romania from November 2010 to May 2020. He is a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Romania from October 21, 2000 and a full member of 33rd and last degree of the Supreme Council of the A∴A∴S∴R∴ - Grand Minister of State. 

He resigned as Grand Master of Ceremonies and joined the N∴G∴L∴R∴ Brethren who detached themselves from the abuses of the N∴G∴L∴R∴ led by Radu Bălănescu, refusing to endorse further the abuses and prejudices done by the former leadership. He ran for the office of Grand Master of the Grand National Lodge of Romania in the elections within the Convention on April 17, 2021, being elected Grand Master of the Grand National Lodge of Romania. 

B. 28 JUNE 1938, BUCHAREST

GRAND MASTER PRO TEMPORE: 2020 - 2021

Manole Iosiper​

sep

Born on June 28, 1938, he graduated from Matei Basarab High School and Postgraduate Technical School, then the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest. He was head of department at OCL 3 Bucharest between 1958-1961. From 1961 to 1975, head of office and head of service at OCL Universal Bucharest. Between 1975-1984 he was deputy general manager at Bucur Obor in Bucharest, after which, until 1990, general manager at ICL Universal. After 1990, general manager and director of several private trade companies. 

In terms of teaching, he was an associate professor at the Faculty of Commerce within the Academy of Economic Studies, marketing department. 

He was initiated in Freemasonry in 1993, at R∴L∴ Delta Dunării and received the degrees of Fellow Craft and Master of R∴L∴ Nomine Mircea Sion, Or∴ Bucharest. He was Worshipful Master in several Lodges in the Jurisdiction of N∴G∴L∴R∴. At the level of the Grand National Lodge of Romania, he was Grand Deputy Treasurer, Grand Treasurer for two mandates, Grand Secretary for one mandate and Grand Honorary Master Ad Vitam. 

The Most Worshipful Brother Manole Iosiper was the President of the Special Commission set up in May 2020 to investigate the abuses of former Grand Master Radu Ninel Bălănescu. At the Extraordinary Convention on October 17, 2020, he was elected Grand Master Pro Tempore.

In the pro tempore period, the new Masonic Constitution was drafted, a remarkable document that democratizes the activity of the Grand National Lodge of Romania. As an absolute novelty in Masonic Legislation, it foresees the establishment of the Senior College, a Special Commission that oversees the work of the Grand Council and intervenes when it notices violations of the Constitution by the Grand Master or the Grand Council. The Constitution was adopted by the Extraordinary Convention on April 17, 2021. 

He was initiated into the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in Portugal in 1994 and holds the 33rd degree Grand Cross. Substitute member of the Supreme Council, Minister of State in the Supreme Council and Honorary Member of the Supreme Council.

In 1999 he was initiated into the Royal Arch in Greece, Athens. He is a Founding Member and was High Priest of the Veritas Chapter in Bucharest. In 2002 he was initiated into Cryptic Freemasonry in Germany and held the office of Deputy Grand Master, and in 2007 he was initiated Knight Templar in Manheim, Germany. 

B. 29 SEPTEMBER 1963, BUCHAREST

GRAND MASTER: 2010 - 2020 DISMISSED

Radu Ninel 
Bălănescu​

sep

A graduate of UMF "Carol Davila" in Bucharest, he is a physician at the "Grigore Alexandrescu" Children's Hospital, where he also serves as medical director. He is a university professor at UMF Bucharest. 

He led the Grand National Lodge of Romania from 2010 to 2020. He had a number of mandates as Grand Master, at the end of which he was dismissed by the Special Commission of N∴G∴L∴R∴ for serious abuses and prejudices to Freemasonry and within the Extraordinary Convention on October 17, 2020, he was excluded from the Grand National Lodge of Romania. 

Radu Ninel Bălanescu is the only Grand Master in the history of N∴G∴L∴R∴ who violated the Masonic Constitutions and the only one sanctioned by the Grand National Lodge of Romania.

B. 11 MAY 1964, IN FĂGĂRAȘ, BRAȘOV

GRAND MASTER: 2003 - 2010

Eugen Ovidiu 
Chirovici​

sep

Romanian economist, writer and journalist. He attended elementary school and high school in Făgăraș, then the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest (1983-1988), continued with postgraduate studies in media management at the University of Glasgow (1995) and at the Institute of Economic Development attached to the World Bank Group - USA (1996). He holds three Doctor Honoris Causa titles, awarded by the Universities Biotera (Bucharest), Aurel Vlaicu (Arad) and the University of Oradea. 

Honorary member of the Romanian Academy of Scientists (2007) and of the Bern Club. In 2009, he received the "Kent Medallion" award by His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent. He received the Grand Prize for Journalism, the “Pamfil Șeicaru” Prize, the Gold Medal of the International Ecumenical Center, the Prize for Journalism of ANSVM and the “Steaua României” Order (2002). He was editor and editor-in-chief of "Curierul Național", executive director and project manager at B1 TV station. Between 2002-2003, he held the position of State Councilor for Economic Affairs of the Prime Minister, between 2003-2007, President with the rank of Secretary of State of the National Agency for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises within the Romanian Government, and since 2008, advisor to the Board of Directors of the National Bank of Romania. He has published over 1000 articles in Romania and abroad.

He is the author of several novels and books on essays and economic history. Since 2012 he has been living in the UK, in Reading, then moving to Florence, Italy. Since 2013, Eugen Ovidiu Chirovici has dedicated himself to writing, publishing a series of highly successful novels. He was initiated in 1996 in the Titu Maiorescu Lodge in the Orient of Bucharest, in the Obedience of the Grand United National Lodge of Romania. He received the degrees of Fellow Craft and Master in 1998, in the same Lodge. Grand Tyler in the Grand Council of the Grand National Lodge of Romania (1999), in 2000 he was elected Grand Master of the National Grand Lodge of Romania. On January 24, 2001, together with Gheorghe Comănescu, he signed the Union Protocol of the Grand National United Lodge of Romania with the National Grand Lodge of Romania, under the Obedience of the National Grand Lodge of Romania. Between 2001-2003 he was Pro Grand Master of the National Grand Lodge of Romania, and between 2003-2010, Grand Master of the National Grand Lodge of Romania.  

B. 6 APRIL 1928, BĂBENI-BISTRIȚA, VÂLCEA

GRAND MASTER: 1998 - 2003

Gheorghe 
Comănescu​

sep

After primary school in his hometown, he attended the "Gheorghe Lazăr" High School in Sibiu and "Alexandru Lahovary" High School in Râmnicu Vâlcea. He was a member of the youth organization of the National Peasant Party since 1945. For his attachment to the values of democracy, he was politically imprisoned for 10 years (1948-1952; 1959-1964). 

Upon its release, he completed his studies, obtaining the degree of construction engineer. Since 1964 he has worked at the Bucharest Bridge Construction Company, then at the Construction-Assembly Trust attached to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry and in design. After 1989, he resumed his activity within PNȚ-CD, being general secretary of the Organization of Bucharest Municipality. PNȚ-CD deputy (1992-1996), secretary of the Commission no. 14 for the investigation of abuses, corruption and petitions, Gheorghe Comănescu ended his political activity in 1996. He was a member of the New York Academy of Sciences (2002).

He has been initiated as Freemason in the United Romania Lodge no. 25 in Bucharest on February 12, 1994, recommended by the Illustrious Brother Vladimir Boantă. He obtained the rank of Fellow Craft in the same Lodge, on March 27, 1994, and the title of Master on June 4 of the same year. During 1994-1995 he was the Orator of the Lodge, and in 1996-1997, Worshipful Master. On October 12, 1997, he was elected Pro Grand Master, and on March 7, 1998, Grand Master of the National Grand Lodge of Romania. He was re-elected Grand Master at the Convention on November 5, 2000. In 2000 as well, he is raised in the 33rd degree in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and initiated as Knight Templar in Mannheim. 

On January 24, 2001, he signed with Eugen-Ovidiu Chirovici, the Union Protocol of the National Grand Lodge of Romania with the Grand United National Lodge of Romania. Signatory witnesses were Alfred Koska, Grand Master of the Grand United Lodges of Germany, Jean-Jacques Sunnier, Grand Master of the Grand Alpine Lodge of Switzerland, and James Botkos, Grand Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Grand Symbolic Lodge of Hungary. Since 2003, he has been Grand Master ad Vitam. Gheorghe Comănescu contributed essentially to the reconstruction of the Masonic movement in Romania, in his mandates the National Grand Lodge of Romania obtaining over 120 recognitions from other regular Grand Lodges. On February 18, 2008, after a long period of suffering, he passed to the Eternal Orient.

B. 15 NOVEMBER 1931, SĂCUIENI, BIOHOR

GRAND MASTER: 1995 - 1997

Sever Frențiu​​

sep

Romanian painter and scenographer. He graduated from the "Ion Andreescu" Institute of Fine Arts in Cluj in 1955 and became a member of the Union of Fine Artists. He holds the position of President of the U.A.P. Branch in Arad, between 1958 and 1970. In 1968 he organized a personal exhibition in Arad. 

As a scenographer, he has collaborated with the Puppet Theater in Arad, the State Theater in Arad, the "Jokay Szinház" Theater in Debrecen, the "Buftea" Film Studio, the "Ion Creanga" Theater in Bucharest, Aarhus-Teater in Denmark, Marionettes de Geneve, the French Theater "Edmonton" in Canada, the "Bulandra" Theater, the ”Teatrul Mic” Theater in Bucharest, the ”Teatrul Evreiesc” in Bucharest, etc. He executed stained glass windows for the Arad City Hall and for the "Corvinilor Hall" in the Cotroceni Palace.

In 1962 he was awarded the Scenography Prize for the play "Antigone and the Others". His works are in collections in Canada, USA, Japan, England, Belgium, France, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Italy, Hungary and Romania. He was initiated as a Freemason in 1992. On January 24, 1993, he participated in the Ritual of relighting the Lights of the National Grand Lodge of Romania. Worshipful Master of the Nominee Lodge in 1994, he was elected Grand Master of the National Grand Lodge of Romania in 1995. He realized, together with Vladimir Boantă, the Masonic union of the two National Grand Lodges of Romania (1996). He passed to the Eternal Orient in 1997.

B. 2 APRIL 1939, ORADEA

GRAND MASTER: 1995

Adrian Dohotaru​​

sep

Poet, playwright, journalist, diplomat. He attended the Faculty of History and Philosophy of Babeș Bolyai University in Cluj, which he graduated in 1959. He participated in the student riots of 1956. After graduating, he became a journalist at Radio Cluj. He obtained journalistic confirmation in Bucharest, in the magazines ”Viața Studențească” (Student Life) and ”Amfiteatru” (Amphitheater). In 1974 he made his debut in the magazine ”Flacăra” (The Flame). He is elected president of the ”Clubul Tinerilor Ziariști” (Club of Young Journalists). 

Due to his non-conformist writings, he will be moved disciplinary to ”Viața Cooperației meșteșugărești” (The Life of the Craft Cooperative). He will return to the magazine ”Flacăra” (The Flame) in the period 1985-1989, as well-known journalist at the magazine ”Actualități românești” (Romanian news). He will publish two poem volumes and two theater plays. After 1989, he will be for a short period of time, deputy director of the Romanian press agency ”Rompres” (Agerpres). Undersecretary of State within the Ministry of External Affairs (1190) and since 1992 until his passing to the Eternal Orient, he will be Secretary of State within the same Ministry, Head of the Cultural, Press and Relationships with the Romanian Diaspora Department.

He was initiated as a Freemason in 1991 in the Concordia Lodge of Bucharest, Obidience of the Grand Orient of Italy. He obtains the degree of Fellow Craft and Master and is elected First Grand Warden in the same year, then Worshipful Master of the Concordia Lodge in 1992. In 1993 he is elected as Lieutenant Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of 33rd degree in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Romania. Between May 7 – September 1, 1995 he will hold the mandate of Grand Master of the National Grand Lodge of Romania. He passed to the Eternal Orient on September 1, 1995 in Munich due to an accident. 

B. 2 SEPTEMBER 1914, BRAȘOV

GRAND MASTER: 1993 - 1995

Nicolae Filip​

sep

Graduate of the Faculty of Law, lawyer in the Ilfov Bar, from where he was expelled in 1948, upon the abolishment of the Bar Associations, at the instructions of the Minister of Justice Lucrețiu Pătrăşcanu. Arrested in 1950 as an "enemy of the people" he was remanded administratively/preventively for 5 years. Unable to prove the accusations, he was released in 1955 and took a job as legal consultant at the Romanian Writers' Union. During his travels in Latin America, he met the famous Gabriel Garcia Marquez. 

He was initiated clandestinely, in 1949. After the fall of communism in 1989, he is engaged in the activity of reawakening the Romanian Freemasonry. He organized the first meeting of the survivors of the communist regime, on St. Stephen's Day in 1989, in the modest headquarters on Radu de la Afumați Street. Along with Nicu Filip, five Masons were present, including the famous cyberneticist, Professor Edmond Nicolau. Nicknamed "La Curte" (”At Court”), in this modest headquarters are invited, based on a list of 19 names compiled by Nicu Filip, various personalities who rediscover the secrets of Freemasonry.

These "veterans", initiated 50 years ago and dormant for four decades, formed the Nicolae Bălcescu Lodge in Bucharest, in obedience to the Grand Orient of Italy, under no. 1118. They became regular on April 30, 1992 by the Grand Master of the Grand Orient of Italy, Giuliano di Bernardo, alongside the Concordia Lodge no. 1097 and the Delta Dunării Lodge no. 1103 (Worshipful Master, Pierre de Hillerin), established between 1990 and 1992. He was the first Worshipful Master of the Nicolae Bălcescu Lodge, whose name he changed to the George Washington Lodge. Between 1993 and 1995, he was elected the first Grand Master of the National Grand Lodge of Romania, reconstituted and reawakened at the Convention on January 24, 1993, held in the Hall of Mirrors, at Casa Vernescu. 

He was awarded 33rd degree by the 33rd Supreme Council and the Last of the Ancient and Accepted Rite of Southern U.S. Jurisdiction in 1993. He was Grand Orator of this Supreme Council and, since 1995, Grand Honorary Master of the N∴G∴L∴R∴. In 2002, he left the National Grand Lodge of Romania, granting his endorsement to the National Grand Lodge of Romania, established by dissent at the Convention in Brașov. He passed to the Eternal Orient in 2008.

B. 25 JANUARY 1895, NICE, FRANCE

GRAND MASTER: 1928 - 1929

Ioan Pangal​

sep

Publicist, politician, diplomat. He pursued an university education in France and became a doctor of law at the University of Iași. Adherent to Romania's entry into the First World War alongside the Allies. Secretary of the National Council for the Union of Romanians in Paris (1918), political director of the newspaper La Roumanie. He was decorated with the Legion of Honor in the rank of Knight (France) and Commander of the Order of St. Stanislas (Russia). 

Deputy in the Romanian Parliament (1927-1928, 1931-1932), Under-Secretary of State for Press and Information, under the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (1931) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1931-1932), Romania’s Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Spain (1938-1939) and to Portugal (1939-1940). Devoted to King Carol II, in 1940 he sought exile and settled in Portugal. 

In 1948, the communist government revoked his Romanian citizenship.
The place of his initiation into Freemasonry is still subject to historical debate. He was raised to 33rd degree in 1921 by the envoy of the Supreme Council of France, Jean Pélissier, along with the recognition and regularization of Romanian Freemasonry by the Grand Orient of France. In 1922, together with Mihail Noradunghian, he “reawakened” Freemasonry with the consent of King Ferdinand, the condition set by the king being that Romanian Freemasonry be of Scottish Rite. Worshipful Master of the United Romania Lodge in 1922 and of the Patria Lodge (1923, 1925). 

Sovereign Grand Commander of the 33° Supreme Council of Romania (1922-1937, 1944-1948) and Grand Master of the National Grand Lodge of Romania (1928-1929). In 1923 he obtained the recognition of the 33° Supreme Council of Romania by the Supreme Mother Council of the World, then with the support of Prince George Valentin Bibescu, that of the Grand United Lodge of England. 

In 1937, he was part of the delegation of the Romanian National Masonry of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite at the solemn meeting at the Patriarchate Palace, where the self-dissolution of Freemasonry in Romania was confirmed, after the discussion he had with King Carol II. He tried to return to the country in 1944 to revive Freemasonry. 

He was Worshipful Master of the United Romania Lodge (La Roumanie Unie) in Paris, in Obedience to the Grand Lodge of France, under number 717. In 1945 he was on the list of Freemasons drawn up by the State Security (no. 924): "Pangal, N∴G∴L∴R∴, Most Puissant Sovereign”. He passed to the Eternal Orient in 1950. 

B. 15 FEBRUARY 1837, BUCHAREST

GRAND MASTER: 1880 - 1911

Constantin 
Moroiu​

sep

He was born on February 15, 1837, in Bucharest. After 2 years of military school, he received in 1863 the rank of second lieutenant, and on August 30 he was appointed an officer in the 7th Infantry Regiment. On May 10, 1866, he was promoted to lieutenant, and two years later (1868) he was appointed company commander, and on March 10, 1871, he was promoted to captain. He married in 1869. While fighting in the Romanian War of Independence, in the campaigns of 1877-1878, he was injured in Grivița on September 13, 1877. 

His injuries will affect his military career. He was decorated with Romanian orders and medals, including the "Military Virtue" Medal for courage and service in the successive battles dated August 27, 30, 31 and September 1877 in Bulgaria, and in 1884 with the "Honorary gold medal for 25 years of military service”. On October 20, 1884, at the age of only 47, he resigned from the army and retired to Bucharest. One year later, on July 1, 1885, he is recorded "into a position of reform for incurable infirmities acquired during the war of 1877-1878," with all due rights. On May 10, 1912, he was promoted to retired major. He passed to the Eternal Orient in 1918 and was buried in the Bellu Civil Cemetery.

Constantin Moroiu is the founder and the first Grand Master of the National Grand Lodge of Romania. His brother, George Moroiu, was a Freemason, and his daughters, Maria and Elena Moroiu, were initiated into the Steaua Sudului Adoption Lodge in Mangalia (1883). Moroiu was initiated into the Înțelepții din Heliopolis Lodge on June 9/21, 1874, and received the rank of Master on June 12/24, 1875. He reactivated the Steaua Dunării Lodge and, on September 28, 1878, addressed the Grand Lusitanian Orient, who issued him the Patent no. 125, on January 15, 1879 (Estrela del Danubio). He holds the position of Worshipful Master of this Lodge between 1878-1880. In 1879 he addressed the Grand Orient of Romania, to transfer the Lodge under its Obedience, but he was refused. He resumed his connections with the Înțelepții din Heliopolis Lodge, in which he was elected dignitary and Warrant of Amity.

On March 27, 1880, he was accused of "occupying" without right the name of the Steaua Dunării Lodge, founded in 1856. In May 1880, the Înțelepții din Heliopolis Lodge informed him of his exclusion, but in the same month Moroiu obtained the 31st degree and was elected Grand Sage of the Steaua Dunării Chapter. On September 8, 1880, he establishes the National Grand Lodge of Romania, with the contribution of the Brethren from the Steaua Dunării and Ilfovul Lodge and Steaua Dunării Chapter. Until 1911 he was Grand Master and Sovereign Grand Commander. 

In 1881 he founded the Supreme Council of Primitive Ancient Rite of Memphis and the Supreme Council for Romania, and on November 22, 1882, the Grand Chapter Royal Arch. He is also on the Chart of Honor of the Martinist Order (1899). He establishes links with the Supreme Councils of Europe, is the Warrant of Amity for many Grand Lodges and Supreme Councils, Grand Honorary Master of the Supreme Grand Council of several countries in Europe and America. In 1884 he founded the Sons of Romania Lodge in Brussels. 

In 1904 he participated in the Masonic Congress in Brussels, where he supported the issue of Romanians in Macedonia. In 1911 he divided the Grand Lodge into two sections, remaining "Sovereign Pontiff". During the First World War, he took measures to support the families of those on the front and of war widows.