The Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana ( et, Maarjamaa Risti teenetemärk, sometimes translated as the Order of the Cross of St. Mary's Land) was instituted by the President of Estonia, Lennart Meri, on 16 May 1995 to honour the independence of the Estonian state. (The Latin name ''Terra Mariana'', meaning "Land of Mary", is a poetic synonym for Estonia, and designated the area which includes what is now Estonia in medieval times.)
The Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana is bestowed upon the President of the Republic. Presidents of the Republic who have ceased to hold office keep the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana. The Collar of the Order was used ''de facto'' as the badge of office of the President of the Republic, since Soviet authorities took the original presidential collar, that of the Order of the National Coat of Arms, out of Estonia after the Soviet occupation of Estonia in 1940; it remains in the Kremlin in Moscow. A new collar of that order was made in 2008.
The Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana is also given as a decoration of the highest class to foreigners who have rendered special services to the Republic of Estonia. As such it is the highest and most distinguished order granted by Estonia to non-Estonian citizens.
Classes
The Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana comprises six classes:
* One special class – The Collar of the Cross of Terra Mariana;
* Five basic classes – 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th class.
The crosses and shields of all the classes of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana have the same design and are of the same size.
The blue colour tone of the moiré ribands belonging to the decorations of all the classes of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana is determined according to the international PANTONE colour-table as 300 C.
Notable recipients
Recipients of the Collar
The recipients are :
Estonian presidents
* President Lennart Meri (1992–2001), 10.09.1995 (Serie 5 – n° ?)
* President Arnold Rüütel (2001–2006), 08.10.2001 (Serie 270 – n° 1138)
* President Toomas Hendrik Ilves (2006–2016), 09.10.2006 (Serie 692 – n° 1071)
* President Kersti Kaljulaid (2016-2021), 10.10.2016
Foreign heads of state
Recipients of the First Class
The recipients are :
Former foreign heads of state and government
These decorations are awarded for targeted reasons :
Consorts of foreign heads of state and royalties
Presidents of Parliament, prime ministers, foreign ministers, ambassadors and other high officials
High Personalities
Recipients of the Fourth Class
* Robert Fripp, 2008
Listing for Robert Fripp (2008)
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Recipients of the Fifth Class
* Lydia Vasikova, 2001
See also
* :Recipients of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana
References
External links
The Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana
president.ee
List of recipients
{{Estonian state decorations
Orders, decorations, and medals of Estonia
Orders of chivalry awarded to heads of state, consorts and sovereign family members, Cross of Terra Mariana, Order of the
Awards established in 1995
1995 establishments in Estonia
Recipients of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, *