Order of Saints George and Constantine

Order of Saints George and Constantine Τάγμα των Αγίων Γεωργίου και Κωνσταντίνου
Star and Grand Cross of the Order of Saints George and Constantine
Awarded by the King of the Hellenes
Type	Order
Motto	ΙΣΧΥΣ ΜΟΥ, Η ΑΓΑΠΗ ΤΟΥ ΛΑΟΥ
Awarded for	At the monarch's pleasure and personal services to the Crown
Status	No longer awarded by the Hellenic Republic since 1975, but still awarded by the Greek Royal House
Grades (w/ post-nominals)	Grand Cross with collar, Grand Cross, Grand Commander, Commander, Knight Gold Cross, Knight Silver Cross
Established	January 1936
Precedence
Next (higher)	Order of the Redeemer
Next (lower)	Order of George I
Same	Order of Saints Olga and Sophia
Ribbon of the Order of Saints George and Constantine

The Royal Family Order of Saints George and Constantine (Greek: Βασιλικό Οικογενειακό Τάγμα των Αγίων Γεωργίου και Κωνσταντίνου) 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 Greek Royal Family.

Grades

Collar of the Order of Saints George and Constantine, featuring Byzantine double-headed eagles, the lions and hearts of the coat of arms of Denmark, and the royal cyphers of Kings George I and Constantine I.

The Order has six classes:

• Collar of the Order ('Περιδέραιο του Τάγματος')
• Knight 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;
• Knight Commander ('Ανώτερος Ταξιάρχης') - wears the badge and the star of the Order on the left chest;
• Commander ('Ταξιάρχης') - wears the badge of the Order on a necklet;
• Officer or Gold Cross ('Χρυσούς Σταυρός') - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest;
• Member or Silver Cross ('Αργυρούς Σταυρός') - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.

External links

Media related to Order of Saints George and Constantine at Wikimedia Commons

• The Greek Royal Orders
• 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
O. of the Redeemer	.																																																																Rep.
Order of Honour																																																																			Rep.
O. of St George & Constantine																												.								.																													.		Dynastic
O. of St Olga & Sophia																												.								.																													.		Dynastic
Order of George I							.																				.									.																													.		Dynastic
O. of the Phoenix																		.																																																	Rep.
O. of Beneficence																																								.																											Rep.
Years
Regime	Monarchy															Republic											Mon.						Rep.			Monarchy																													Rep.
	1832- 1909	1910s										1920s										1930s										1940s										1950s										1960s										1970-present