During my tenure of office in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I anticipated the need for a publication containing information on and photographs of the Hellenic Orders and decorations.
The Orders and decorations were instituted during the Middle Ages by various rulers which grouped their citizens according to military or religious criteria. Thus these Orders were either Orders of knighthood or religious Orders, their members being distinguished by their special uniforms on which the insignia and the designation of their rank were embroidered. Over of the years, the rulers and knights disappeared but the insignia of the Orders remained as a unique award of distinction. The insignia are manufactured by expert engravers-goldsmiths on behalf of the Head of State who, in turn, confers them in recognition of outstanding services to the Fatherland.
The first Hellenic Order was established by the IVth National Assembly held at Argos in 1829, but the re-levant Decree was signed in Nauplio by King Otto on May 20, 1833.
From that date onwards, the insignia of the Order - entitled 'Order of the Redeemer' - 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 Andreas Miaoulis in 1835, Petrobeys Mavromihalis, Alexandros Mavrokordatos and Lazaros Koudouriotis in 1836, Andreas Zaimis, Theodoros Kolokotronis and Georgios Koudouriotis in 1837, and Constantine Kanaris in 1864.
In Greece, according to article 46, paragraph 2 of the Constitution and article 1, paragraph 3 of Law 106/1975, the Grand Master of the Orders is the President of the Hellenic Republic, who has the exclusive authority to award the insignia. To this end, he issues a Presidential Decree upon recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The Orders and Decorations of Greece are the following:
The Orders consist of five classes or grades, namely:
- Grand Cross
- Grand Commander
- Commander
- Officer (Gold Cross)
- Knight (Silver Cross)
The present publication attempts to classify the information relating to the Hellenic Orders and decorations that are presented below in detail.
Admission to one of the Orders and conferment of the relevant insignia constitute a reward for outstan-ding achievements in the sciences, public life, the letters and the arts, as well as a supreme moral award conferred by the State upon its citizens.
Minister for Foreign Affairs
George A. Papandreou
