AN ANALYSIS OF THE WM’S CHAIR BEING PLACED IN THE EAST
W Bro Petros N. Zenieris – (WM 2018)
The Lodge of St Gorge No 1152 EC
I would wish to commence my analysis by linking in to and by mentioning the Hellenic word “Αίθουσα” (Aethousa) and its diverse meaning of “Room, Hall, Lobby or the specific location within a building”.
Homer, the epic author of the Iliad and Odyssey was the first person to use such a word in his writings.
This word in its grammatical sense represents the participle of the verb “Αιθώ” (Aetho) which carries multiple meanings such as:
Ανάβω (Anavo) = to light it up,
Καίω (keo) = to burn, to illuminate,
Θερμαίνω (Thermeno) = to radiate warmth.
One may consequently ask: “What was the original meaning of the word “Αίθουσα” or room, hall or the specific location within a building?
That may simply be explained as: “That place within the house which is located in its Eastern side and in such way that its position will be exposed to the beneficial sun rays in order to absorb the warmth from the sun which will eventually be converted into the warmest place of the house”.
Having said that let us now think for a moment why all Christian churches after the 4th century AD stabilised their architectural structure by designing and locating the Holy of Holies towards the Eastern side, whilst having raised its level higher from the rest of the church’s floor?
We also observed the same design in the architectural structure of King Solomon’s Temple, where the Holy of Holies was placed in the Eastern side as an elevated area from the rest of the Temple. The absence of any window or opening in this room was supplemented by the radiated illumination provided by the Ark of the Covenant being placed in the middle of this room.
Perhaps for a simple, yet a rather practical reason.
That place is meant to radiate more warmth, love and kindness, yet providing bounteous illumination and ample light.
In the same manner, we also find this practical reason applicable to the structure of our Masonic Temples. We are very conversant indeed that the Worshipful Master’s place is located in the East and in a rather elevated area from the rest of the Lodge. Perhaps the Worshipful Master’s specific location within the Lodge signifies the necessity and the requirement for the spiritual lighting or for the esoteric illumination of such knowledgeable person or even for the urge to radiate his warmth, affection and kindness to the Brethren of his Lodge as he has been rightfully chosen / elected to rule among them.
We are all familiar with “.... the Master’s position is in the East to rule and direct his Lodge”.
Further still, to conceivably share his accumulated Masonic knowledge with his junior Brethren who may have been seeking ways and means to quench their esoteric thirst with supplementary knowledge which will enable them to transfigure the good men they are to better men to be!
That Brethren, stands my own personal interpretation of the Worshipful Master’s position in the East; to rule and direct the Lodge, but most importantly to share and irradiate his knowledge with the younger Brethren and prepare them for the ultimate position in the East when the right time comes.
Alas, the Worshipful Master’s term will only last a year (under normal circumstances) and then after the proper handing over to the newly obligated and invested Master he will be pleased to sit back and observe along with all previous Past Masters the happenings in the Lodge.
It is the customary observance that the Past Master along with all other Past Masters will eventually fade and comfortably settle in the East.
Brethren, my own understanding, however, has a different perspective.
The old past would not disappear in the dungeons of lethe (another Hellenic word) or in the oblivion of the East part of the Lodge syndrome. It ought to continue flourishing and sprouting within the new Master under different form or shape though.
It has been said that “the past represents the old”; but in my own interpretation I shall use a rather different approach for the Past Master, as I wish to put it in a superior metaphorical perspective as… “a well-used wine barrel in which the new wine will be poured in to mature”.
Brethren, I wish you all well.
