Orders, decorations, and medals of Greece

The Greek honors system goes back to 1829 and the establishment of the Order of the Redeemer at the Fourth National Assembly at Argos. However, the relevant decree was signed in Nafplio by King Otto on May 20, 1833. The Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer remains the highest honor of Greece to this day.

Hellenic Republic[]

Orders[]

Order of the Redeemer
Order of Honour
Order of the Phoenix
Order of Beneficence (restricted to females)

Gallantry and merit medals[]

Medal for Gallantry
Cross of Valour
War Cross
Medal of Military Merit

Commemorative and campaign medals[]

Inter-Allied Victory Medal (1916–18)
(1941–45)
United Nations Korea Medal
Medal of Military Valour
Flying Cross
Air Force Merit Cross
Medal for Operations in Cyprus (1964, 1967, 1974)
Commendation Medal for Merit and Honour
Commendation Medal for Long Term Service
Commendation Medal for Participation in a Peacekeeping Mission

Kingdom of Greece[]

Order of the Redeemer
Order of St. George and Constantine (dynastic)
Order of St. Olga and Sophia (dynastic)
Order of George I (dynastic) (restricted to females from royal family)
Order of the Phoenix
Order of Beneficence (restricted to females)

Ranks[]

As with most European orders, the Greek orders have the following ranks, in order of precedence:

Grand Cross
Grand Officer
Commander
Knight of the Gold Cross
Knight of the Silver Cross

Transmission of honors[]

In the past, the insignia of the order were to be returned to the State. However, in recent years, the rule has changed and the heirs of the honoree may keep the insignia.

Grand Master[]

The Grand Master of the Greek orders is the head of state of the country. Since 1975, Greece is a republic and the head of state is the President of Greece who is also responsible for awarding them, according to article 46, paragraph 2 of the Constitution of Greece and law 106/1975,^[1] upon the recommendation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Selection criteria[]

According to Law 106/1975, all proposals made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs are reviewed by the Council on Honors (Greek: Συμβούλιο Ταγμάτων Αριστείας) when it applies to Greek citizens, the Greek diaspora, military officers, and government workers. Individuals are selected to reward their contributions to Greece either it be the state, its culture, sports, arts, language, etc.

The Council on Honors, which comes together by decision of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, serves for a two-year term:^[1]

the President of the Council of State
the President of the Court of Cassation
two Greek citizens who have been awarded the Grand Cross
one of the senior most diplomats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, either an ambassador or deputy minister
a senior military officer, set by the Defence General Staff
a representative from the office of the President of Greece

Honorees[]

Those that have been honored by one of the Greek State Orders are given the right to wear their insignia for life, provided they have not been stricken from the rolls of their respective order, as per the penal code or by decision of the Council on Honors. The latter group may take such a decision if it deems that the person retaining the honor causes public discomfort or negatively affects the prestige of the Order. After the death of the honoree, the insignia may be kept by his or her heirs.^[1]

References[]

^ ^a ^b ^c Law 106/1975 of the Hellenic Republic

George J. Beldecos, "Hellenic Orders, Decorations and Medals", pub. Hellenic War Museum, Athens 1991, ISBN 960-85054-0-2.

Greek orders timeline
Orders by precedence	1832- 1909	1910s		1920s			1930s			1940s				1950s	1960s	1970-present
Order of the Redeemer	.																Rep.
Order of Honour																		Rep.
Order of Saints George and Constantine									.			.					.	Dynastic
Order of Saints Olga and Sophia									.			.					.	Dynastic
Order of George I			.					.				.					.	Dynastic
Order of the Phoenix						.												Rep.
Order of Beneficence													.					Rep.
Years
Regime	Monarchy				Republic			Mon.			Rep.	Monarchy					Rep.
	1832- 1909	1910s		1920s			1930s			1940s				1950s	1960s	1970-present