Order of the Redeemer

Order of the Redeemer
Order of the Redeemer
Τάγμα του Σωτήρος
Order of Redeemer,Grand Cross.jpg
Star of the Order of the Redeemer,
Awarded by the President of the Hellenic Republic
Type Order
Motto Η ΔΕΞΙΑ ΣΟΥ ΧΕΙΡ, ΚΥΡΙΕ, ΔΕΔΟΞΑΣΤΑΙ ΕΝ ΙΣΧΥΙ
Awarded for exceptional services to Greece
Status Currently constituted
Grades (w/ post-nominals) Grand Cross, Grand Commander, Commander, Gold Cross, Silver Cross
Established 20 May 1833
Precedence
Next (higher) none
Next (lower) Order of Honour
Ch Argent Ru.gif
Ribbon of the Silver Cross of the Order of the Redeemer

The Order of the Redeemer (Greek: Τάγμα του Σωτήρος), also known as the Order of the Savior,[1] is an order of Greece. The Order of the Redeemer is the oldest and highest decoration awarded by the modern Greek state.

Contents

History

The establishment of the Order of the Redeemer was decided by the Fourth National Assembly at Argos in 1829, during the Greek War of Independence. The award bears the name Redeemer due to the Assembly's belief that the Greek nation was reborn through divine assistance. The relevant Decree was signed in Nafplio by King Otto of Greece on May 20, 1833. From that date onwards, the insignia of the Order were conferred on Greeks and foreigners alike who were distinguished during the struggle for independence.

Among those who were first awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer were King Ludwig I of Bavaria, the father of King Otto of Greece, in 1833; Andreas Miaoulis in 1835, Baron Guenther Heinrich von Berg on 21 February 1837 Petrobey Mavromichalis, Alexandros Mavrokordatos and Lazaros Kountouriotis in 1836, Andreas Zaimis, Theodoros Kolokotronis and Georgios Kountouriotis in 1837, and Constantine Kanaris in 1864.

Currently, the ranks of the Order of the Redeemer are conferred by the Greek government upon distinguished Greek citizens who have defended the interests of their country in time of war or have rendered highly exceptional social services in Greece or abroad. The Order is also conferred upon eminent persons who are not Greek citizens.

Grades

The Order has five classes:

  • Grand Cross ('Μεγαλόσταυρος') - wears the badge of the Order on a sash on the right shoulder, and the star of the Order on the left chest;
  • Grand Commander ('Ανώτερος Ταξιάρχης') - wears the badge of the Order on a necklet, and the star of the Order on the left 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.

Insignia

Gold Cross of the Order of the Redeemer, II. type (Kingdom of Greece, Glücksburg dynasty).

The form of the insignia has altered in several respects in the 170 years since the establishment of the Order. Today, the badge of the Order consists of a white enamelled cross pattée, in silver for the Silver Cross and in gold for the other grades, set on a green enamelled wreath, one half of which is an oak branch and the other half a laurel branch. The central disc bears an icon of Jesus, the Redeemer of Orthodox Christian soteriology; this is also made of enamel. The icon is surrounded by this inscription on a blue enamelled ring:
Η ΔΕΞΙΑ ΣΟΥ ΧΕΙΡ, ΚΥΡΙΕ, ΔΕΔΟΞΑΣΤΑΙ ΕΝ ΙΣΧΥΙ ("Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power", Exodus, 15:6)

The reverse of the medallion carries the inscription:
Η ΕΝ ΑΡΓΕΙ Δ´ ΕΘΝΙΚΗ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ ΣΥΝΕΛΕΥΣΙΣ - 1829 ("The IV National Assembly of the Hellenes at Argos - 1829")

The star of the Order is an eight-pointed faceted silver star with the same central disc as on the badge of the Order. At first the stars were embroidered; later, stars made of solid silver prevailed, as is the case today.

The ribbon of the Order is light blue, with a narrow white border on both edges, reflecting the Flag of Greece.

Famous Holders

General Sir Richard Church with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer, ca. 1860
Holder Date Grade
Ludwig I of Bavaria 1833 - 1868 Grand Cross
Andreas Miaoulis
1833
Grand Cross
Baron Guenther Heinrich von Berg 1837 - 1843 Grand Cross
Petros Mavromichalis 1836 - 1848 Grand Cross
Prince Alexander Mavrocordatos 1836 - 1865 Grand Cross
Lazaros Kountouriotis 1836 Grand Cross
Andreas Zaimis 1837 - 1840 Grand Cross
Theodoros Kolokotronis 1837 - 1843 Grand Cross
Georgios Kountouriotis 1837 - 1858 Grand Cross
Constantine Kanaris 1864 - 1877 Grand Cross
Fleet Admiral William "Bull" Halsey 1946 Gold Cross
Haakon VII of Norway 1947 - 1957 Grand Cross
Olav V of Norway -1991 Grand Cross
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 1947 - Grand Cross
Idris of Libya -1983 Grand Cross
Josip Broz Tito
1954 - 1980
Grand Cross
Konstantinos Karamanlis 1955 - 1998
1980 - 1998
Commander
Grand Cross
Constantine II of Greece 1958 - Grand Cross
Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand 1960 - Grand Cross
Elizabeth II of United Kingdom 1963 - Grand Cross
Harald V of Norway 1964 - Grand Cross
Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden 1964 - Grand Cross
Margrethe II of Denmark 1964 - Grand Cross
Anne-Marie of Greece 1964 - Grand Cross
Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece 1967 - Grand Cross
Nikolaos of Greece 1969 - Grand Cross
Akihito, Emperor of Japan unknown Grand Cross
Sonja of Norway unknown Grand Cross
Konstantinos Stephanopoulos 1995 - Grand Cross
Karolos Papoulias 2005 - Grand Cross

References

External links


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