Order of the Redeemer
Encyclopedia
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.
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 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
.
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 Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. 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 ArgosFourth National Assembly at Argos
The Foutth National Assembly at Argos was a Greek convention which sat at Argos from 11 July to 6 August 1829, during the Greek War of Independence....
in 1829, during the Greek War of Independence
Greek War of Independence
The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries between...
. 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
Otto of Greece
Otto, Prince of Bavaria, then Othon, King of Greece was made the first modern King of Greece in 1832 under the Convention of London, whereby Greece became a new independent kingdom under the protection of the Great Powers .The second son of the philhellene King Ludwig I of Bavaria, Otto ascended...
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
Ludwig I of Bavaria
Ludwig I was a German king of Bavaria from 1825 until the 1848 revolutions in the German states.-Crown prince:...
, the father of King Otto of Greece
Otto of Greece
Otto, Prince of Bavaria, then Othon, King of Greece was made the first modern King of Greece in 1832 under the Convention of London, whereby Greece became a new independent kingdom under the protection of the Great Powers .The second son of the philhellene King Ludwig I of Bavaria, Otto ascended...
, in 1833; Andreas Miaoulis in 1835, Baron Guenther Heinrich von Berg on 21 February 1837 Petrobey Mavromichalis
Petros Mavromichalis
Petros Mavromichalis , also known as Petrobey , was the leader of the Maniot people during the first half of the 19th century. His family had a long history of revolts against the Ottoman Empire, which ruled most of what is now Greece...
, Alexandros Mavrokordatos and Lazaros Kountouriotis in 1836, Andreas Zaimis
Andreas Zaimis
Andreas Asimakou Zaimis was a Greek freedom fighter and government leader during the Greek War of Independence.Born in Kalavryta, in the northern Peloponnesos, Zaimis was a leader of armed men who fought the Ottoman Turks, ultimately securing Greece's freedom.In 1826, Zaimis was chosen as the...
, Theodoros Kolokotronis
Theodoros Kolokotronis
Theodoros Kolokotronis was a Greek Field Marshal and one of the leaders of the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire....
and Georgios Kountouriotis
Georgios Kountouriotis
Georgios Kountouriotis was a Greek ship-owner and politician who served as prime minister from March to October 1848. He was born in 1782 on the Saronic island of Hydra to an Arvanite family...
in 1837, and Constantine Kanaris
Constantine Kanaris
Constantine Kanaris or Canaris was a Greek Prime Minister, admiral and politician who in his youth was also a freedom fighter, pirate, privateer and merchantman.-Early life:...
in 1864.
Currently, the ranks of the Order of the Redeemer are conferred by the Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
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
Cross pattée
A cross pattée is a type of cross which has arms narrow at the centre, and broader at the perimeter. An early English example from the start of the age of heraldry proper A cross pattée (or "cross patty", known also as "cross formée/formy") is a type of cross which has arms narrow at the...
, 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
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
branch and the other half a laurel
Bay Laurel
The bay laurel , also known as sweet bay, bay tree, true laurel, Grecian laurel, laurel tree, or simply laurel, is an aromatic evergreen tree or large shrub with green, glossy leaves, native to the Mediterranean region. It is the source of the bay leaf used in cooking...
branch. The central disc bears an icon
Icon
An icon is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, from Eastern Christianity and in certain Eastern Catholic churches...
of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
, the Redeemer of Orthodox Christian
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
soteriology
Salvation
Within religion salvation is the phenomenon of being saved from the undesirable condition of bondage or suffering experienced by the psyche or soul that has arisen as a result of unskillful or immoral actions generically referred to as sins. Salvation may also be called "deliverance" or...
; 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
Argos
Argos is a city and a former municipality in Argolis, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Argos-Mykines, of which it is a municipal unit. It is 11 kilometres from Nafplion, which was its historic harbour...
- 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
Flag of Greece
The flag of Greece , officially recognized by Greece as one of its national symbols, is based on nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white...
.
Famous Holders
| Holder | Date | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Ludwig I of Bavaria Ludwig I of Bavaria Ludwig I was a German king of Bavaria from 1825 until the 1848 revolutions in the German states.-Crown prince:... |
1833 - 1868 | Grand Cross |
| Andreas Miaoulis | |
Grand Cross |
| Baron Guenther Heinrich von Berg | 1837 - 1843 | Grand Cross |
| Petros Mavromichalis Petros Mavromichalis Petros Mavromichalis , also known as Petrobey , was the leader of the Maniot people during the first half of the 19th century. His family had a long history of revolts against the Ottoman Empire, which ruled most of what is now Greece... |
1836 - 1848 | Grand Cross |
| Prince Alexander Mavrocordatos Prince Alexander Mavrocordatos Alexandros Mavrokordatos was a Greek statesman and member of the Mavrocordatos family of Phanariotes.... |
1836 - 1865 | Grand Cross |
| Lazaros Kountouriotis | 1836 | Grand Cross |
| Andreas Zaimis Andreas Zaimis Andreas Asimakou Zaimis was a Greek freedom fighter and government leader during the Greek War of Independence.Born in Kalavryta, in the northern Peloponnesos, Zaimis was a leader of armed men who fought the Ottoman Turks, ultimately securing Greece's freedom.In 1826, Zaimis was chosen as the... |
1837 - 1840 | Grand Cross |
| Theodoros Kolokotronis Theodoros Kolokotronis Theodoros Kolokotronis was a Greek Field Marshal and one of the leaders of the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire.... |
1837 - 1843 | Grand Cross |
| Georgios Kountouriotis Georgios Kountouriotis Georgios Kountouriotis was a Greek ship-owner and politician who served as prime minister from March to October 1848. He was born in 1782 on the Saronic island of Hydra to an Arvanite family... |
1837 - 1858 | Grand Cross |
| Constantine Kanaris Constantine Kanaris Constantine Kanaris or Canaris was a Greek Prime Minister, admiral and politician who in his youth was also a freedom fighter, pirate, privateer and merchantman.-Early life:... |
1864 - 1877 | Grand Cross |
| Fleet Admiral William "Bull" Halsey | 1946 | Gold Cross |
| Haakon VII of Norway Haakon VII of Norway Haakon VII , known as Prince Carl of Denmark until 1905, was the first king of Norway after the 1905 dissolution of the personal union with Sweden. He was a member of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg... |
1947 - 1957 | Grand Cross |
| 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... |
-1991 | Grand Cross |
| Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch.... |
1947 - | Grand Cross |
| Idris of Libya | -1983 | Grand Cross |
| Josip Broz Tito Josip Broz Tito Marshal Josip Broz Tito – 4 May 1980) was a Yugoslav revolutionary and statesman. While his presidency has been criticized as authoritarian, Tito was a popular public figure both in Yugoslavia and abroad, viewed as a unifying symbol for the nations of the Yugoslav federation... |
|
Grand Cross |
| Konstantinos Karamanlis | 1955 - 1998 1980 - 1998 |
Commander Grand Cross |
| Constantine II of Greece Constantine II of Greece |align=right|Constantine II was King of Greece from 1964 until the abolition of the monarchy in 1973, the sixth and last monarch of the Greek Royal Family.... |
1958 - | Grand Cross |
| Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand | 1960 - | Grand Cross |
| Elizabeth II of United Kingdom | 1963 - | Grand Cross |
| Harald V of Norway Harald V of Norway Harald V is the king of Norway. He succeeded to the throne of Norway upon the death of his father Olav V on 17 January 1991... |
1964 - | Grand Cross |
| Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf is the reigning King of Sweden since 15 September 1973, succeeding his grandfather King Gustaf VI Adolf because his father had predeceased him... |
1964 - | Grand Cross |
| Margrethe II of Denmark Margrethe II of Denmark Margrethe II is the Queen regnant of the Kingdom of Denmark. In 1972 she became the first female monarch of Denmark since Margaret I, ruler of the Scandinavian countries in 1375-1412 during the Kalmar Union.-Early life:... |
1964 - | Grand Cross |
| Anne-Marie of Greece | 1964 - | Grand Cross |
| Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece, is the eldest son and heir apparent of Constantine II, who was King of Greece from 1964 to 1973.... |
1967 - | Grand Cross |
| Nikolaos of Greece Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark is the second son and third child of King Constantine II of Greece and Anne-Marie of Denmark, the youngest daughter of King Frederick IX of Denmark and sister of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.... |
1969 - | Grand Cross |
| Akihito, Emperor of Japan Akihito is the current , the 125th emperor of his line according to Japan's traditional order of succession. He acceded to the throne in 1989.-Name:In Japan, the emperor is never referred to by his given name, but rather is referred to as "His Imperial Majesty the Emperor" which may be shortened to . In... |
unknown | Grand Cross |
| Sonja of Norway Queen Sonja of Norway Queen Sonja of Norway is the wife of King Harald V of Norway.-Prior to marriage:Sonja was born in Oslo on 4 July 1937 as the daughter of clothing merchant Karl August Haraldsen and Dagny Ulrichsen .Queen Sonja grew up in the district of Vinderen in Oslo and completed her lower secondary schooling... |
unknown | Grand Cross |
| Konstantinos Stephanopoulos | 1995 - | Grand Cross |
| Karolos Papoulias Karolos Papoulias -Honours:*Knight Grand Cross with Grand Cordon of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic *Knight Grand Cross of the Grand Order of King Tomislav *Knight of the Order of the Elephant- External links :*... |
2005 - | Grand Cross |