| 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.
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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.
The Order has five classes:
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.
| Holder | Date | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Ludwig I of Bavaria | 1833 - 1868 | Grand Cross |
| Andreas Miaoulis |
|
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 |
|
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 |
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