The Masonic Organizations in the Russian Empire (XVIII century): Structure and Personalities

The manuscript is devoted to the study of the structure of Masonic organizations in the Russian Empire in the XVIII century.The material of the work includes memoir sources, published documents (interrogation materials), as well as pre-revolutionary, foreign and modern historiography.The research is based on such methods of historical research as historical-systematic, classification, synthesis and content analysis.In conclusion, the authors note that the structure of Russian Freemasonry of the XVIII century included three types of Masonic lodges:-The "English" system of Masonic lodges.The earliest three-stage system in Russia, in which members ascended the steps of "pupil" -"apprentice" -"master".-The Yelabuga system of Masonic lodges.The next in terms of time of appearance in Russia.It is associated with the name of I.P. Yelabugin.Four more new degrees have been added to the first three degrees, which does not allow it to be fully called the "English" system.In general, there is reason to call it the "Russian" system of Freemasonry.It included the Grand Provincial Lodge and 14 subordinate lodges.It became very widespread in the Russian Empire.-The "Swedish" system of Masonic lodges.The most recent system that appeared in Russia.It is a complex, strictly centralized hierarchical system, which retains the original three-stage system, but the number of levels has been increased to three.Brought to Russia by P.B. Reichel.It was based on the Zinnendorf Charter.