Order of the Redeemer

Order of the Redeemer Τάγμα του Σωτήρος
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
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.

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

1. ^ "Americans decorated". New York Times. September 12, 1906. http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F00914FF3E5512738DDDAB0994D1405B868CF1D3. Retrieved December 19, 2010. 

External links

• Presidency of the Hellenic Republic - Order of the Redeemer
• The Greek Royal Orders