Order of Saints George and Constantine

The Royal Family Order of Saints George and Constantine (Greek: Βασιλικόν Οἰκογενειακόν Τάγμα Ἁγίων Γεωργίου καὶ Κωνσταντίνου, romanized: Vasilikon Oikogeneiakon Tagma Agion Georgiou kai Konstantinou) was an order of the Greek royal family. For the duration of its existence, it has been the second highest decoration awarded by the modern Greek state and the Greek crown, after the Order of the Redeemer. It was instituted in January 1936 by King George II in the memory of his grandfather (King George I) and his father (King Constantine I). The order is awarded only to men, while the corresponding Order of Saints Olga and Sophia is reserved for women. The order's design was influenced by the royal family's Danish origin, evoking the appearance of the Order of the Dannebrog. The order is not awarded since 1975 by the Greek state after the abolition of monarchy and today is awarded only by the Greek Royal Family.

For other uses, see Order of St. George (disambiguation).
Royal Order of Saints George and Constantine
Τάγμα των Αγίων Γεωργίου και Κωνσταντίνου
Star and Grand Cross of the Order of Saints George and Constantine
Awarded by the head of the Greek royal family
TypeOrder
MottoΙΣΧΥΣ ΜΟΥ, Η ΑΓΑΠΗ ΤΟΥ ΛΑΟΥ
Awarded forAt the monarch's pleasure and personal services to the Crown
StatusNot awarded as a Greek order since 1973, but still awarded by the Greek royal family
GradesGrand Cross
Grand Commander
Commander
Knight's Gold Cross
Knight's Silver Cross
Statistics
First induction1936 King George II of Greece
Last induction2012 Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark
Precedence
Next (higher)Royal Order of the Redeemer
Next (lower)Royal Order of George I
EquivalentRoyal Order of Saints Olga and Sophia

Ribbon of the Order of Saints George and Constantine

Grades
Collar of the Order of Saints George and Constantine, featuring Byzantine double-headed eagles, the lions and hearts of the coat of arms of Denmark, and the royal cyphers of Kings George I and Constantine I.

The Order has six classes:

  • Cordon ('Περιδέραιον') - wears the badge of the Order on a chain round the neck and the distinctive star of the Order on the left chest;
  • Grand Cross ('Μεγαλόσταυρος') - wears the badge of the Order on a collar or on a sash on the right shoulder, and the star of the Order on the left chest;
  • Grand Commander ('Ανώτερος Ταξιάρχης') - wears the badge and the star of the Order on the right chest;
  • Commander ('Ταξιάρχης') - wears the badge of the Order on a necklet;
  • Gold Cross ('Χρυσούς Σταυρός') - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest;
  • Silver Cross ('Αργυρούς Σταυρός') - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.

Media related to Order of Saints George and Constantine at Wikimedia Commons

  • The Greek Royal Orders
  • George J. Beldecos, "Hellenic Orders, Decorations and Medals", pub. Hellenic War Museum, Athens 1991, ISBN 960-85054-0-2.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.