Admission into an Order and the conferment of the relevant insignia
constitute a public acknowledgement of outstanding services rendered
to Greece or exceptional achievement in an area of public life, such
as in science, arts and letters, commerce, industry or shipping. The
insignia is conferred by the Head of State.
The first Greek Order, modelled on the Orders of other European
countries, was established in 1829, to express the gratitude of
the Nation to those who had played an active role in its liberation.
Since then, 5 Greek Orders have been established:
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The Order of the Redeemer
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The Order of George I (abolished)
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The Order of Honour
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The Order of the Phoenix
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The Order of Beneficence (only for women)
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Each Order has 5 classes:
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The Grand Cross
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The Grand Commander
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The Commander
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The Officer of the Gold Cross
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The Knight of the Silver Cross
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The conferment of the Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer
constitutes the highest distinction of all.
Those who have been awarded any class of an Order are entitled to
keep the insignia for life and to pass it on to their heirs, as
a keepsake. Formerly the insignia was returned on the death of the
recipient.
The incumbent President of the Republic is the Master of all Orders
and with him rests the power to allow admission into the Orders
and to confer the respective insignia, in accordance with article
46 paragraph 2 of the Constitution and the provisions of Law 106/1975.
Recommendations regarding the choice of persons to whom distinctions
may be awarded are submitted to the President of the Republic by
the Council of Orders and Decorations, which meets at least once
a year. In order to confer an award of distinction the President
of the Republic must issue a decree. This must be countersigned
by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and published in the Government
Gazette.
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