We’re glad you found us! We are a Masonic Lodge that meets at the Annette Street Temple in Toronto from September to June. Victoria is an active Lodge whose primary purpose is to provide fellowship for men of good conscience. If you are a Mason, we invite you to visit us on the first or third Tuesday of any month. If you are interested in Masonry, we invite you to explore our site and to contact us with any questions. Masonry is an inclusive and inviting organization. It offers the benefits of life-long fellowship with a group of men who share an interest in living according to their moral outlook. We look forward to meeting you.

The Spring Equinox is approaching – a time of perfect balance between the day and the night, between the darkness and light. It should also serve as a reminder to us that, as masons, we should constantly seek balance in everything we do. Between our public and private avocations, between time spent in work, leisure and time spent in study and prayer.

The 24 IG was the first instrument placed in our hands as masons. It teaches us that we should first measure the work in which we are about to engage, as well as the costs – both material and spiritual.

The day has 24 hours and it should be divided properly between work, prayer, refreshment and rest. Too often the work takes a lot more than it’s allocated time, at the expense of the other three. When that happens the strength of the gavel and the perseverance of the chisel are to little avail, and the work inevitably suffers – we can’t achieve balance and we cannot hope to reach our potential.

Fraternally, W. Bro. Andrei Traikovski

It is a great pleasure for every mason to be in a vibrant lodge with a youthful spirit. The energy and vigour that the young members bring is the driving force of the lodge and the craft in general. However, if that force is without direction, it will disperse in the space around us and instead of bringing improvement, it will bring havoc.

The direction, comes from experience, continuous learning, hard work… and age. The presence of our more expert brethren is the compass that guides us through our masonic journey.

Their experience keeps us within due bounds, their knowledge gives beauty to the ritual we perform, the work they’ve done gives us strength on our path, and their age provides the wisdom that the Great Architect gives mankind only through time.

They are the pillars on which our lodge is built and without them, the fraternity we all hold dear will not be the same. Next time you see them – express your gratitude, not by thanking them for their past work, but by following their guidance and working just as hard as they did.

Fraternally,
W. Bro. Andrei Traikovski

Freemasonry is a progressive science. We  start as an Entered Apprentice and progress to a Fellowcraft degree through examination. But, does completing  the  Fellowcraft  degree really make us Fellow Craftsmen?

Being a good man, just and upright, held in high esteem by others is a prerequisite for becoming a mason, but not its whole essence.

The first degree teaches us that to be true Entered Apprentices we need to dedicate ourselves to Work, Study and Charity.

Work towards improving ourselves and Society. Study the seven liberal arts and sciences. Charity towards our masonic brethren and everyone else  in need.

In this New Year let us strive towards these objectives. Let us work more to make ourselves better men and the world around us a better place. Let us study more because, through knowledge we will overcome all difficulties and establish happiness. Let us be more charitable towards others.

I wish you a productive and joyous year. In the words of Bro. Benjamin Franklin.

Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbours, and let every New Year find you a better man.

Fraternally, W. Bro Andrei Traikovski

The winter solstice is approaching.

In the darkness of the longest night of the year, let us contemplate on the light we have found in Freemasonry. Let us cheerfully embrace the opportunity of practicing that virtue which we all profess to admire – Charity.

While we are cautiously advised to give within our means, there is one thing that we can always give in abundance. Love! Love for our family, for our brethren, for our neighbors, for those less fortunate than us, for our close friends and for those that we will never meet. The more we give, the more we will receive.

May you have blessed and loving holidays.

Brother Andrei Traikovski

This month, March is said to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb. It is true that it is the month when we mark the vernal equinox, the return of spring, the rebirth of the land.

It is also the month of the feast days of Saint Patrick.

So raise a glass and spread some cheer…

“May the lilt of Irish laughter
lighten every load.
May the mist of Irish magic
shorten every road…
And may all your friends remember
all the favours you are owed!”

Fraternally, Stephen Nichols W.M.

Social obligation, as a part of the symbol, is also seen in the harmonious working together of many units to a single end, living in peace and harmony with their fellow creatures.

The Beehive appears on the collar of the undress regalia of District Deputy Grand Masters. It symbolises his untiring work and dedication to the Craft, with particular attention to the Lodges in his District.

It supports research into the causes and cures of deafness, and supports voice programs for children with hearing impairments.

The Foundation fights drug, alcohol and substance abuse awareness in schools. It funds teaching and research for Autism.

It supports youth programs of the Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, 4-H, and other similar organisations.

Donations are fully tax deductible, and every Mason should be aware of its charitable works.

It was instituted in 1750, and was called, originally, “First Lodge”, and was  warranted under the St. John’s Grand Lodge of Boston (the then Grand Lodge for New England). It later came under the authority of the then Provincial Grand Lodge of England, and the Provincial Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia.

In 1866, when the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia was formed, it finally became St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 1. The Lodge is an active one, and meets on the 1^st Tuesday in “Freemasons Hall” on Barrington St. in downtown Halifax.

The ritual used is the Ancient York ritual, which is mostly analogous to the Webb ritual used in the USA.

Tradition says this Lodge was formed by skilled craftsmen brought over from the continent by King David I to build Holyrood Abbey in 1128 A.D.  It’s oldest minute is dated July 31 1599, but even at that time, the Lodge had been working for a considerable period.

The really remarkable fact is that from 1599 until the present day, only four years have been unrecorded by this Lodge.