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 Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * Heterarchy, a system of organization wherein the elements have the potential to be ranked a number of ...

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 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 Arm ...

). 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 of the Dannebrog ( da, Dannebrogordenen) is a Danish order of chivalry instituted in 1671 by Christian V. Until 1808, membership in the order was limited to fifty members of noble or royal rank, who formed a single class known ...

. 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 mon ...

and today is awarded only by the Greek Royal Family.

Grades

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