The Masonic lodge was established in the house of Katsiki, which was occupied by the divisional doctor Schuler. I am not sure whether Schuler or Pavel Pushkin was the main master of the lodge. Among the new members was the Bulgarian Archimandrite Efrem. Katsiki’s house was located in the lower part of the city, not far from the old cathedral, in a square frequented by many Bulgarians and Arnauts. They noticed that the Archimandrite, upon entering the fenced courtyard, would send his carriage away, a practice some others followed as well, which was contrary to the usual custom. This behavior attracted the curiosity of passersby, especially since rumors spread that a “judgment of the devil” was taking place in the house. When the door of the long, one-story house opened, and people saw the Archimandrite coming out, blindfolded and supported by two men, they were startled. After descending three or four steps from the porch, the Archimandrite was led straight into the basement, where the doors were immediately closed. The Bulgarians, believing their Archimandrite was in danger, were incited by the Arnauts—many of whom had fled and joined the Hetaerists. They rushed in a crowd to the basement door, broke it down, and, in their view, triumphantly rescued the Archimandrite, who was immediately surrounded by people asking for his blessing. This event occurred before sunset, and by evening, the whole city knew about it. Alexander Pushkin was one of the first to hear of it, as he was at home when Inzov received the news.

(From the memoirs of I.P. Liprandi (1790-1880), military historian and secret police officer).

Note: While in exile in Bessarabia, living in Chisinau, Russian poet Alexander Pushkin became an alleged member of the Masonic Lodge “Ovidiu-25.” Pushkin gladly accepted the invitation to join, and the initiative came from his protector during that time. It is said that the governor of Bessarabia, Ivan Nikitich Inzov, was also a member of the “Ovidiu-25” Lodge. The lodge was named after the Roman poet Ovid, who lived in the region near the Black Sea. The number 25 refers to the lodge’s order number. Preparations for the founding of the Masonic organization in Chisinau began in the spring of 1821 under the auspices of the Grand Lodge “Astrea” in St. Petersburg.

The “Ovidiu-25” Lodge was officially inaugurated on July 7, 1821, with Major General Pavel Pushkin as its head. However, some leaders of the “Astrea” Lodge were skeptical about the opening of the lodge in Chisinau, so it was not officially registered until October 7, 1821. Pushkin became a member of the lodge in May 1821 and, according to some sources, played a secondary role in its activities. It is worth noting that the “Ovidiu-25” Lodge, like all official Masonic lodges in Russia, was destined to exist for only one year, until the Tsar’s decree “on the Prohibition of Masonic lodges and any secret societies” was issued…