The Royal Family Order of Saints George and Constantine ( el, Βασιλικόν Οἰκογενειακόν Τάγμα Ἁγίων Γεωργίου καὶ Κωνσταντίνου, Vasilikon Oikogeneiakon Tagma Agion Georgiou kai Konstantinou) was an
order of the
Greek royal family
The Greek royal family (Greek: Ελληνική Βασιλική Οικογένεια) is a branch of the Danish royal family, itself a branch of the House of Glücksburg, that reigned in Greece from 1863 to 1924 and again from 1935 to 1973. It ...
. 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
The Order of the Redeemer ( el, Τάγμα του Σωτήρος, translit=Tágma tou Sotíros), also known as the Order of the Saviour, is an order of merit of Greece. The Order of the Redeemer is the oldest and highest decoration awarded by the ...
. 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
Constantine I ( el, Κωνσταντίνος Αʹ, ''Konstantínos I''; – 11 January 1923) was King of Greece from 18 March 1913 to 11 June 1917 and from 19 December 1920 to 27 September 1922. He was commander-in-chief of the Hellenic Army ...
). The order is awarded only to men, while the corresponding
Order of Saints Olga and Sophia
The Royal Family Order of Saints Olga and Sophia ( el, Βασιλικόν Οἰκογενειακόν Τάγμα Ἁγίων Ὂλγας καὶ Σοφίας, Vasilikon Oikogeneiakon Tagma Agion Olgas kai Sofias) was an order of the Greek royal ...
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
The abolition of monarchy and anti-royalism is a legislative or revolutionary movement to abolish monarchical elements in government, usually hereditary.
Abolition of absolutist monarchy in favor of limited government under constitutional monarch ...
and today is awarded only by the Greek Royal Family.
Grades
![Order of SS](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/Order_of_SS._George_and_Constantine_%28collar%29.png)
The Order has six classes:
*''Cordon'' ('Περιδέραιον') - 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'' ('Μεγαλόσταυρος') - 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'' ('Ανώτερος Ταξιάρχης') - wears the badge 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.
External links
The Greek Royal Orders* George J. Beldecos, "Hellenic Orders, Decorations and Medals", pub. Hellenic War Museum, Athens 1991, .
{{Greek orders timeline
Saints George and Constantine
1936 establishments in Greece
Awards established in 1936
Saints George and Constantine