TheOrder of the Redeemer (Greek:Τάγμα του Σωτήρος,romanized: Tágma tou Sotíros), also known as theOrder of the Saviour,[1] is anorder of merit ofGreece. The Order of the Redeemer is the oldest and highest decoration awarded by themodern Greek state.
The establishment of the Order of the Redeemer was decided by theFourth National Assembly at Argos in 1829, during the final year of theGreek War of Independence.[2] The decision was not immediately implemented, however, and the relevant decree was signed inNafplio by the Regency Council (Josef Ludwig von Armansperg,Karl von Abel andGeorg Ludwig von Maurer) in the name of KingOtto on May 20, 1833.[3][4] According to the decree of establishment, the name of the Order "shall recall the, by divine assistance miraculously and fortuitously accomplished, salvation of Greece".[3]
Since its establishment in 1833, and in common with all Greek orders of merit, the Order of the Redeemer has five classes:[2][3]
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 right 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.
According to the original decree, the Order was to be awarded to those Greek citizens who took part in the War of Independence, or "who should distinguish themselves henceforth in any branch of public service, in the army and navy, in the diplomatic and judicial corps, in public administration, in the arts, science, agriculture and industry, commerce, or should distinguish themselves in any other social field through outstanding civic virtue, and through illustrious services to the Throne, for the Glory of the Hellenic name and for the welfare of the fatherland", while foreigners were admitted either for past services to Greece, or due to their ability "to bring honour to the Order, through their outstanding personal virtues and excellence".[3]
The original decree set specific limits on the number of awards: while the Silver Cross could be awarded at will, Gold Crosses were limited to 120, Commanders to 30, Grand Commanders to 20, and Grand Crosses to 12. Foreign recipients and princes of theGreek royal family did not count in these totals.[3] In modern times, in practice the Grand Cross is awarded only to foreign heads of state.[2]
The design of the various insignia has changed several times since the Order was established, with the most notable alteration being the removal of the crown during periods ofrepublican rule. The current form of the insignia is defined by Presidential Decree 849/1975 (ΦΕΚ 273 Α΄/4-12-1975).
The original decree of 1833 described thebadge of the Order as consisting of a white enamelledMaltese cross (silver for the Silver Cross, gold for the higher grades), surmounted by a crown, set on a green enamelled wreath, one half of which is anoak branch and the other half alaurel branch.[3] The obverse featured a white cross on a blue background (thecoat of arms of Greece) with Otto'sBavarian arms in aninescutcheon in the centre, surrounded by this inscription on an outer ring:Η ΔΕΞΙΑ ΣΟΥ ΧΕΙΡ, ΚΥΡΙΕ, ΔΕΔΟΞΑΣΤΑΙ ΕΝ ΙΣΧΥΙ ("Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power",Exodus, 15:6).[3] The reverse featured a portrait of Otto with the circular inscription:ΟΘΩΝ, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ ("Otto, King of Greece").[3]
Badge of the Order since 1863, obverse on the left and reverse on the right. Under themonarchy, a royal crown surmounted the cross.
After Otto's deposition in 1863, his portrait was removed and substituted by anicon ofJesus, theRedeemer ofOrthodox Christiansoteriology. This resulted in the wearing of this side as the obverse, with the national coat of arms (purged of the Bavarian escutcheon) relegated to the reverse, and the inscriptions correspondingly changed: the obverse's inscription remained in place, and the reverse came to feature a new inscription:Η ΕΝ ΑΡΓΕΙ Δ´ ΕΘΝΙΚΗ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ ΣΥΝΕΛΕΥΣΙΣ - 1829 ("The IV National Assembly of the Hellenes at Argos – 1829").[2]
Thestar 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, but eventually, they were made of solid silver, a practice that continues to this day.[2]
This is adynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help byediting the page to add missing items, with references toreliable sources.
^abcdefghA.I. Kladis (1837).Κεφάλαιον Όγδοον. Περί της συστάσεως Τάγματος Αριστείας δια το Βασίλειον της Ελλάδος. [Chapter Eight. On the establishment of an Order of Merit for the Kingdom of Greece].ΕΦΕΤΗΡΙΣ (Almanach) του Βασιλείου της Ελλάδος δια το έτος 1837. Athens: Βασιλική Τυπογραφία και Λιθογραφία. pp. 123–136.
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 right 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;.png)
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