THE SUPREME COUNCIL, 33°
of THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE
of Freemasonry in Bulgaria
installed on January 7, 2001
Български

Upon receipt of official invitation, Ill∴ Ilia Koev, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council, 33° of A.A.S.R. in Bulgaria, took part in the Higher Degrees meeting of the Supreme Council 33° of the Ancient and Accepted Rite for New Zealand.

Under the leadership of Most Puissant Brother Brian White, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council for New Zealand, a 33° Degree conferral was conducted, along with rituals in the 32°, 31°, and 30° degrees. An installation ceremony was also held of a new Inspector General for Auckland-Northland District.

The official program included a working meeting during which each head of delegation delivered a presentation on their respective Supreme Council and the work of the Order within their jurisdiction. Participation in the event, which is held annually, is by invitation from the host Supreme Council to representatives of Supreme Councils in a state of amity and mutual recognition.

Sovereign Grand Commanders and delegations of the Supreme Councils of Australia and Bulgaria took part in the excellently organized rituals and ceremonies. The Supreme Councils of Scotland and Germany were also represented through their delegates.

After continuous work over the past eight months, the Supreme Councils of New Zealand and Bulgaria established official relations and mutual recognition. Sovereign Grand Commander, Ill∴ Ilia Koev, 33°, was unanimously elected an Honorary Member of the Supreme Council 33° of the Ancient and Accepted Rite for New Zealand and its Grand Representative to the Supreme Council of Bulgaria.

The Supreme Council 33° of the Ancient and Accepted Rite for New Zealand was established in 1994. Each candidate is initiated directly into the 18° degree. The subsequent degrees—30°, 31°, 32°, and 33°—are conferred only by the Supreme Council at ceremonies held in various regions, known as “Higher Degrees.”

By participating in this forum, the Bulgarian Supreme Council expanded and strengthened its contacts and relations with the Supreme Councils of the Asia-Pacific Confederation.