The Order of the Phoenix () is an order of Greece, established on 13 May 1926, by the republican government of the Second Hellenic Republic to replace the defunct Royal Order of George I.
The order was retained after the restoration of the monarchy in 1935 and continues to be awarded by the current Third Republic.
The honour is bestowed by the Greek government to Greek citizens who have excelled in the arts and literature, science, public administration, shipping, commerce, and industry. It is also awarded to foreigners who have helped raise Greece's international prestige.
Grades The Order has five classes: Grand Cross ('Μεγαλόσταυρος') - wears the badge of the Order on a sash on the right shoulder, and the star of the Order on the left chest; Grand Commander ('Ανώτερος Ταξιάρχης') - wears the badge of the Order on a necklet, and the star of the Order on the right 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.
Insignia The badge of the Order is a white-enameled cross, in silver for the Silver Cross class, in gold for the higher classes, with the Phoenix (symbolizing the rebirth of the Hellenic nation) at the centre. A five-pointed star is at the upper arm of the cross. The first version of the Order (1926–1935) featured the letters "E-T-T-A" in Byzantine uncial on each arm of the cross, the initials of the motto Εκ της τέφρας μου αναγεννώμαι ("From my ashes I am reborn"). During the Monarchy (1935–1973) the letters were removed, and the badge was topped by a crown, while the badge's reverse side featured the monogram of the reigning monarch. The current version (since 1975) omits the crown, while the reverse features the Greek National Emblem with the words ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ ("Hellenic Republic").
The star of the Order is a silver eight-pointed star with straight rays, with the phoenix at the centre; during the Monarchy it was topped by a crown.
The ribbon of the Order is orange with black edges.
Crossed swords on the insignia indicate that the award was given in the military division of the Order.
Holders Holder Date Grade Gjergj Fishta 1931 — Sir Julien Cahn"Gift of Newstead Abbey", The Manchester Guardian, 17 July 1931 1931 Grand Commander Henry Vollam Morton 1937 Commander Nicholas HammondNew Headmaster of Clifton, The Manchester Guardian, 9 June 1954 1946 Officer (with swords) Thomas Dunbabin"Births, Deaths, Marriages", The Manchester Guardian, 9 June 1954 1946 (with swords) Sir Arthur Coningham 1946 Grand Cross Constantine II of Greece 1950 Grand Cross Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 1950 Grand Cross Sir Allan Ross Welsh 1950 Grand CommanderJohn S. Paraskevopoulos1950Commander Mark Mindler — - Gavin Merrick Long 1956 OfficerWan Waithayakon1956Grand Cross Carl Foreman"Very special privilege: Tuesday night", The Guardian, 11 July 1962 1962 - Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom 1963 Grand Cross Harald V of Norway 1964 Grand Cross Odysseas Elytis 1965 Commander John S. Latsis 1965 Grand Cross Spyridon Vikatos 1967 Commander Arne Skaug unknown Commander Stavros Niarchos 1977 Commander Max van der Stoel 1977 Grand Cross Mounir Abou Fadel 1984 Grand CommanderManolis Andronikos 1992 Grand Cross 1993 Officer Marianne McDonald 1994 CommanderVasso Apostolopoulos1997Commander Manuel Aroney 1998 Commander Eleni Bakopanos 1999 Commander John Cannis 1999 Commander Peter Delefes 1999 Commander Philippe Deane Gigantes 1999 Commander Jim Karygiannis 1999 Commander Christos Sirros 1999 Commander Grigoris Bithikotsis 2003 Officer Rena Vlahopoulou 2003 Officer Sir Patrick Leigh Fermor 2007 Commander Thanasis Veggos 2008 Commander Paul Sarbanes 2008 Grand Cross Vahram Kazhoyan 2009 Grand Cross Angelos Chaniotis 2013 Commander Yehuda Poliker 2014 unknown Stephen Fry 2021 Grand Commander Frangoulis Frangos unknown Grand Commander / Commander / Officer Jacqueline de Romilly 1977 Commander Donald Kagan 2021 unknownGus Bilirakis2024Grand Commander
References
External links
Presidency of the Hellenic Republic – The Order of the Phoenix The Greek Royal Orders George J. Beldecos, "Hellenic Orders, Decorations and Medals", pub. Hellenic War Museum, Athens 1991, .