Peter III (1728-1762), originally Karl Peter Ulrich von Holstein-Gottorp, was the successor to Empress Elizabeth Petrovna and ruled Russia briefly in 1762. His decisions were heavily influenced by his “brothers,” hinting at his involvement with Freemasonry, which played a role in his progressive policies despite his limited political acumen. A German lodge named “Constant” may have existed during his reign, with Peter III possibly donating a house for its meetings. Alternatively, this lodge might have been the Happy Agreement, seeking recognition from the Berlin Lodge of the Three Globes in December 1762. Foreign reports suggest Peter III was a Freemason, hosting members at Oranienbaum. His secretary, Dmitry Vasilyevich Volkov, was a key figure and drafted important decrees like “On the Freedom of the Nobility” and the abolition of the Secret Chancellery in 1762. Despite his indulgences, Peter III did not meet the expectations of his fellow Freemasons or the wider nobility, leading to the coup on June 28, 1762, orchestrated by Freemason Nikita Ivanovich Panin. Other Masons involved included Grigory Orlov and his brothers. The coup aimed to declare Pavel Petrovich emperor under Catherine II’s regency. Grigory Orlov, his brothers, and E. R. Dashkova executed the coup.
Catherine II (1729-1796), known as Catherine the Great, ruled from 1762 until her death. Historian Oleg Solovyov notes her ascension was aided by an aristocratic group led by Panin, whose tool was Freemasonry, fostering her initial favorable stance towards them. Catherine’s policy of enlightened absolutism aligned well with the Freemasons, who supported her liberal reforms. They were active in the Legislative Commission of 1767, the Free Economic Society (1765), and other initiatives. Despite rejecting Panin’s proposal for an Imperial Council to limit her power, Catherine remained supportive of Freemasons, even when discovering Masonic documents during the investigation of a plot involving Ivan Antonovich in 1764.
Alexander I (1777-1825), Russian Emperor from 1801-1825, was potentially part of a foreign Masonic lodge and the internal Alexander Workshop of Military Loyalty. Some sources claim he was initiated in 1803 in the Polish Grand Orient.
Alexander II (1818-1881), Russian Emperor from 1855-1881, reportedly joined Freemasonry during a trip to England while he was a Grand Duke, according to A. I. Serkov.
Alexander III (1845-1894), Russian Emperor from 1881-1894, was initiated in 1866 in Copenhagen by Danish King Christian IX. He found it interesting but deemed it premature for Russia.
Sources: Karpachev, S.P. Masonry. Dictionary. Great Art of Stonemasons, M.: Olymp, 2008; Brachev, V. S. Russian Freemasonry of the 20th century, St. Petersburg, 2000.
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