Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius
The Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius is an award conferred by the Republic of Bulgaria.
History
It has three incarnations :
- first on 18 May 1909 by the Kingdom of Bulgaria,
- second on 13 December 1950 by the People's Republic of Bulgaria (but called the Order of Cyril and Methodius)
- finally on 29 May 2003 by the current Republic of Bulgaria.
The royal order (1909-1944)
| Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Breast star of the Grand Cross of Saints Cyril and Methodius | |
| Awarded by Tsar of Bulgaria | |
| Type | Order |
| Eligibility | High state officials |
| Status | Dynastic Order |
| Grades (w/ post-nominals) | One |
| Established | 1909 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | None (highest) |
| Next (lower) | Order of St. Alexander |
 | |
History
It was established on 18 May 1909 by the Tsar Ferdinand I of Bulgaria (grandfather of current formerly-King Simeon II), the first Grand Cross of this order to be awarded to the highest state officials.
Grades
It consisted of one class : Grand Cross, represented by a Collar, a Sash and a Breast-star.
Insignia
The collar of the members is gilted-silver and alternately show a standing, turned to the left crowned lion and a lily.
The ribbon of the Order is pale orange.[1]
The badge of the order is a gilted light-blue-enameled Byzantine cross. In the cross angles green enameled beams are mounted on each of which is a stylized lily. In the medallion resting figures of Saints Cyril and Methodius are seen standing side by side. The medallion is surrounded by a golden ring on the blue enameled inscription "EX ORIENTE LUX" (light coming from the east).
The breast star has the shape of a Maltese cross and is made of silver. In the cross angles blazing flames are seen with applied lily. On the cross - lying horizontally - two spread golden wings partially red enamel with a saint's face in the middle. Vertically, one can see wings that symbolize the movement of the horizontal wing.
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Front side of the Collar
-
Reverse side of the Collar
Royal pretender
Former King Simeon II of Bulgaria considers this version of the order to be his dynastic order and wears it - from left shoulder to right hip - on official occasions such as the wedding of Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden and Daniel Westling (Photos 1, 2)
Order of Cyril and Methodius (1950)
| Order of Cyril and Methodius | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 1st Class Medal of the Grand Cross of Cyril and Methodius | |
| Awarded by People's Republic of Bulgaria | |
| Type | Order |
| Status | Obsolete |
| Grades (w/ post-nominals) | Three |
| Established | 1950 |
The People's Republic of Bulgaria instituted the Order of Cyril and Methodius (the Saints word is dropped under the communist regime). It was awarded as an honour in the field of science, culture or painting
Grades
It consisted of three classes : First class, Second class and Third class
Insignia
The prize is a round medal with red or blue enamel background. It shows the image of the Saints in relief. In the left side, Cyril, who holds a scroll with the first four letters of the Cyrillic alphabet in the hands. Slightly offset to the right behind Methodios with a Bible under his arm. one five-pointed star is seen on the top of the medal, hanging from a light-blue ribbon.
- First class: gold medal with red enamel.
- Second class : gold medal with blue enamel.
- Third class : silver medal with blue enamel.
The medal is worn on the left chest.
The Republic of Bulgaria (2003)
| Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius | |
|---|---|
| Awarded by President of Bulgaria | |
| Type | Order |
| Awarded for | merits in the fields of art, science, educationa and culture. |
| Status | Current constituted |
| Grades (w/ post-nominals) | Three |
| Established | 29 May 2003 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Order of Stara Planina |
The Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius was reinstated on 29 May 2003 as the second order of the republic after the Order of Stara Planina and is awarded for merits in the fields of art, science, educationa and culture.[2]
Grades
There are three grades : Collar, 1st Class (Officer) and 2nd Class (Knight) [2]
Insignia
The order's insignia is inspired by the shape of the tsarist era but :
- The medal of the first two grades is a silver-plated Byzantine cross with gilted-silver edges, the 3rd grade is only totally silver-plated.
- The flames in the cross angle are no longer subject to a lily
- On the reverse - instead of the crowned cipher names -, the national colors of the country can be found.
The ribbon of the Order is orange[2]
-
Collar
-
Officer
-
Knight
See also
References
- ↑ World Medals Index, Kingdom of Bulgaria, Order of SS. Cyril and Methodius
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 World Medals Index, Republic of Bulgaria, Order of SS. Cyril and Methodius