Order of Saints George and Constantine
Encyclopedia
The Royal Family Order of Saints George and Constantine was an order
of the Greek royal family
. For the duration of its existence, it was 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 was awarded only to men, while the corresponding Order of Saints Olga and Sophia
was 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 was discontinued in 1975 by the Greek state after the abolition of monarchy
and today is awarded only by the Greek Royal Family.
Order (decoration)
An order or order of merit is a visible honour, awarded by a government, dynastic house or international organization to an individual, usually in recognition of distinguished service to a nation or to humanity. The distinction between orders and decorations is somewhat vague, except that most...
of the Greek royal family
Greek Royal Family
The Greek Royal Family was a branch of the House of Glücksburg that reigned in Greece from 1863 to 1924 and again from 1935 to 1973. Its first monarch was George I. He and his successors styled themselves "Kings of the Hellenes"...
. For the duration of its existence, it was the second highest decoration awarded by the modern Greek state and the Greek crown, after the Order of the Redeemer
Order of the Redeemer
The Order of the Redeemer , also known as the Order of the Savior, is an order of Greece. The Order of the Redeemer is the oldest and highest decoration awarded by the modern Greek state.- History :...
. It was instituted in January 1936 by King George II
George II of Greece
George II reigned as King of Greece from 1922 to 1924 and from 1935 to 1947.-Early life, first period of kingship and exile:George was born at the royal villa at Tatoi, near Athens, the eldest son of King Constantine I of Greece and his wife, Princess Sophia of Prussia...
in the memory of his grandfather (King George I
George I of Greece
George I was King of Greece from 1863 to 1913. Originally a Danish prince, George was only 17 years old when he was elected king by the Greek National Assembly, which had deposed the former king Otto. His nomination was both suggested and supported by the Great Powers...
) and his father (King Constantine I
Constantine I of Greece
Constantine I was King of Greece from 1913 to 1917 and from 1920 to 1922. He was commander-in-chief of the Hellenic Army during the unsuccessful Greco-Turkish War of 1897 and led the Greek forces during the successful Balkan Wars of 1912–1913, in which Greece won Thessaloniki and doubled in...
). The order was awarded only to men, while the corresponding Order of Saints Olga and Sophia
Order of Saints Olga and Sophia
The Royal Family Order of Saints Olga and Sophia was an order of the Greek royal family. Reserved for women, it was the third highest decoration awarded by the modern Greek state and the Crown after the Order of the Redeemer and the male-only Order of Saints George and Constantine...
was 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
Order of the Dannebrog
The Order of the Dannebrog is an Order of Denmark, instituted in 1671 by Christian V. It resulted from a move in 1660 to break the absolutism of the nobility. The Order was only to comprise 50 noble Knights in one class plus the Master of the Order, i.e. the Danish monarch, and his sons...
. The order was discontinued in 1975 by the Greek state after the abolition of monarchy
Metapolitefsi
The Metapolitefsi was a period in Greek history after the fall of the Greek military junta of 1967–1974 that includes the transitional period from the fall of the dictatorship to the Greek legislative elections of 1974 and the democratic period immediately after these elections.The long...
and today is awarded only by the Greek Royal Family.
Grades
The Order has six classes:- Collar of the Order ('Περιδέραιο του Τάγματος')
- Knight 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;
- Knight Commander ('Ανώτερος Ταξιάρχης') - wears the badge and the star of the Order on the left chest;
- Commander ('Ταξιάρχης') - wears the badge of the Order on a necklet;
- Officer or Gold Cross ('Χρυσούς Σταυρός') - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest;
- Member or Silver Cross ('Αργυρούς Σταυρός') - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.
Order Holders
| Holder | Date | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Olav V of Norway Olav V of Norway Olav V was the king of Norway from 1957 until his death. A member of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, Olav was born in the United Kingdom as the son of King Haakon VII of Norway and Queen Maud of Norway... |
unknown - 1991 | Knight Grand Cross Knight Grand Cross Knight Grand Cross is the most senior grade of seven British orders of chivalry, three of which are obsolete. The rank entails admission into knighthood, allowing the recipient to use the title 'Sir' or 'Dame' before his or her name... with collar |
| Prince Philip | 1941 | Knight Commander Knight Commander Knight Commander is the second most senior grade of seven British orders of chivalry, three of which are dormant . The rank entails admission into knighthood, allowing the recipient to use the title 'Sir' or 'Dame' before his or her name... with collar |