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Orders, decorations, and medals of Greece

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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

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Orders

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Kingdom of Greece

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Ranks

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

  1. Grand Cross
  2. Grand Officer
  3. Commander
  4. Knight of the Gold Cross
  5. Knight of the Silver Cross

Transmission of honors

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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

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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

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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, be it 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]

Medals

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Gallantry and merit medals

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Military medals (since 1974)

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Military commendations[2]
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Police medals (since 1985)

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  • Police Medal for Gallantry
  • Police Cross
  • Medal of Police Merit
  • Long Service and Good Conduct Police Medal
Police commendations[3]
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  • Commendation for Leadership of the Hellenic Police
  • Star for Merit and Honour
  • Commendation for Meritorious Command
  • Commendation for Meritorious Staff Service
  • Commendation for Meritorious Staff Service as a Special Duty Officer

Fire Service medals (since 1998)

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  • Fire Service Medal for Gallantry
  • Fire Service Cross
  • Medal of Fire Service Merit

Coast Guard commendations[4]

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  • Commendation for Leadership of the Coast Guard
  • Star for Merit and Honour
  • Medal for Merit and Honour
  • Commemoration for Leadership of a Regional Coast Guard Command
  • Commendation for Meritorious Command
  • Commendation for Service as a Staff Officer
  • Commendation for Meritorious Staff Service
  • Commendation for Long Service

Medals no longer awarded

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Hellenic Gendarmerie (1946–1985[5])
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  • Medal of Valour
  • Medal for Gallantry
  • Medal for Self-Sacrifice
  • War Cross
  • Medal for Outstanding Acts
  • Medal of Military Merit
  • Medal of Merit
  • Medal for Long and Meritorious Service

Cities Police (1946[6]–1985[5])

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  • Police Medal
  • Medal for Police Merit
  • Police Cross

Commemorative and campaign medals

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Honorees

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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

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  1. ^ a b c Law 106/1975 of the Hellenic Republic.
  2. ^ "Διαμνημονεύσεις | Army gr". army.gr. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  3. ^ "Προεδρικό Διάταγμα 141/1993 - ΦΕΚ 58/Α/15-4-1993 (Κωδικοποιημένο)". e-nomothesia.gr | Τράπεζα Πληροφοριών Νομοθεσίας (in Greek). 4 June 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  4. ^ "Προεδρικό Διάταγμα 247/2006 - ΦΕΚ 261/Α/29-11-2006". e-nomothesia.gr | Τράπεζα Πληροφοριών Νομοθεσίας (in Greek). 16 January 2016. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  5. ^ a b "Προεδρικό Διάταγμα 622/1985 - ΦΕΚ 231/Α/31-12-1985 (Κωδικοποιημένο)". e-nomothesia.gr | Τράπεζα Πληροφοριών Νομοθεσίας (in Greek). 4 June 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  6. ^ Emergency Law 922/1946.

Further reading

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Orders, decorations and medals of Greece.
  • Dēmakopoulos, Geōrgios D. (1961). Greek Orders and Medals. Athens: Mavridis. OCLC 870294502.
  • Beldecos, George J. (1991). Hellenic Orders, Decorations and Medals. Athens: Hellenic War Museum. 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
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