The Royal Family Order of Saints George and Constantine () is an order of the Greek royal family. For the duration of its existence, it has been 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 is awarded only to men, while the corresponding Order of Saints Olga and Sophia is 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 is not awarded since 1975 by the Greek state after the abolition of monarchy and today is awarded only by the former Greek royal family.
Grades
The Order has six classes:
- Collar ('àõÃÂùôÃÂÃÂñùÿý') - wears the badge of the Order on a chain round the neck and the distinctive star of the Order on the left chest;
- Grand Cross ('ÃÂõóñûÃÂÃÂÃÂñÃÂ
ÃÂÿÃÂ') - 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;
- Grand Commander ('ÃÂýÃÂÃÂõÃÂÿàäñþùìÃÂÃÂ÷ÃÂ') - wears the badge and the star of the Order on the right chest;
- Commander ('äñþùìÃÂÃÂ÷ÃÂ') - wears the badge of the Order on a necklet;
- Gold Cross ('çÃÂÃÂ
ÃÂÿÃÂàãÃÂñÃÂ
ÃÂÃÂÃÂ') - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest;
- Silver Cross ('ÃÂÃÂóÃÂ
ÃÂÿÃÂàãÃÂñÃÂ
ÃÂÃÂÃÂ') - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.
References
External links
- The Greek Royal Orders
- George J. Beldecos, "Hellenic Orders, Decorations and Medals", pub. Hellenic War Museum, Athens 1991, .