From the Universal Brotherhood to the Lodge of Soldiers

The article analyses the idea of service in Theosophy, and the initiatives directly related to the theme in the Theosophical structures. The main focus are three organizations active in Poland: Theosophical Association of Service, League of Service (operating as the league of the Theosophical Order of Service), and the Order of the Brothers of Service, and their connections to the international initiatives. The analyses of archival sources show, on the one hand, how Polish Theosophists were influenced by local political and historical context of newly regained national independence, and on the other how leading Theosophists, especially George S. Arundale influenced the Polish discourse about national identity in the Theosophical context. It also shows how various ideas of service crystalized as military service during the Second World War and lead to establishing the Polish speaking lodge in London.