Othello Lodge No. 5670

Othello Lodge was consecrated on 17th February 1938 in the most appropriate and unique premises that could house a Freemasons’ lodge. The then government of Cyprus authorised the use of the Grand Hall of the Othello Tower within the walls of the old city of Famagusta (which can still be seen today) for the Consecration and early meetings but it was rather large and eventually the lease of the Twin Churches, also within the walled city, was granted to the Lodge and the first meeting was held there on 5th September 1940.

By way of explanation one of the twin churches had belonged to the Order of Knights Templar and the other to the Knights of St.John, later to become the Knights of Malta.

The Lodge remained in Famagusta until it was forced to abandon the Twin Churches during the inter-communal troubles of the early 1960’s. The churches are still standing and one of them is in use as a restaurant, aptly called De Molay (Jacques de Molay was the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar). A dramatic move was made to Dhekelia, where we shared premises with Lord Kitchener Lodge until 1989, when the Lodge moved to the premises of Kimon Lodge, under the Grand Lodge of Greece.

In 1997 Othello Lodge took up residence at the Flamingo Beach Hotel, later moving to the Henipa Hotel on the Larnaka-Dhekelia road. Both these premises eventually proving unsuitable, we were very fortunate to obtain a long-term lease of part of the San Remo Hotel in Mackenzy Beach, Larnaka, where members of the Lodge and Chapter have constructed a beautiful temple which is a credit to Cyprus Masonry and other lodges will also be using this facility.

A memorable and successful celebration of fifty years of the Lodge took place in 1988 and in 2013 Othello lodge celebrated its 75 year with a banner dedication ceremony which was attended by District Grand Master, R.W. Bro. Theodosios Theodossiou, with the Deputy, V.W. Bro. Eric Williams and the Assistant W.Bro. Andrew Theocharous, together with their ladies and accompanied by 15 District Officers

This banner dedication made possible by a generous donation from W.Bro. Pampos Georghiades. He sponsored the Banner which was designed, gratis, by Bro. Bob King. Further donations from the Worshipful Master W.Bro. Kyriacos Andreou Bros. Polys Kyriacou and Savvas Ttantis resulted in a booklet “The History of Othello Lodge” describing the first 75 years. This History was researched and written by W.Bro. Duncan John Moore, who sadly passed to the Grand Lodge Above on the 10th February 2013. Copies are available from the Lodge Secretary.

On Saturday 15th June 2013, Brethren of Othello Lodge No. 5670 together with wives, family and friends travelled on a nostalgic trip to Famagusta to visit the former meeting places of the Lodge. The original idea for the excursion was suggested as part of the 75th Anniversary Celebrations of the Lodge by the late W.Bro. Duncan Moore.

Installation 2023-24

For more information please contact the lodge Secretary by e-mail here.