Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius
The Order of
History
It has had three incarnations :
- first on 18 May 1909 by the Kingdom of Bulgaria,
- second on 13 December 1950 by the People's Republic of Bulgaria (but called the Order of Cyril and Methodius),
- finally on 29 May 2003 by the current Republic of Bulgaria.
The Royal Order
| Royal Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius Царски Орден на Кирил и Методий | |
|---|---|
Royal Order of Saint Alexander | |
 The ribbon of the Order |
History
The Order was established on 18 May 1909 by Tsar
Grades
It consisted of one class: Knight, represented by a collar, sash and breast-star.
Insignia
The collar of the members is gilded-silver and alternately shows a standing, crowned lion facing left and a fleur-de-lis.
The ribbon of the Order is pale orange.[3]
The badge of the Order is a gilded Byzantine cross enameled in light blue. In the cross angles, green enameled beams are mounted, on each of which is a stylized lily. In the medallion resting figures of Saints Cyril and Methodius are seen standing side by side. The medallion is edged with a golden ring on the blue enameled inscription "EX ORIENTE LUX" (light coming from the east).
The breast star has the shape of a Maltese cross and is made of silver. In the cross angles blazing flames are seen with applied lily. In the centre of the cross is a representation of a seraph.
Royal House
Former King
Order of Cyril and Methodius (1950)
| Order of Cyril and Methodius | |
|---|---|
Order | |
| Status | Obsolete |
| Grades | Three |
 The ribbon of the Order | |
The People's Republic of Bulgaria instituted the Order of Cyril and Methodius (the word Saints was dropped under the
Grades
It consisted of three classes: First class, Second class and Third class
Insignia
The prize is a round medal with red, blue or white enamel background. It shows the image of the Saints in relief. In the left side, Cyril, who holds a scroll with the first four letters of the Cyrillic alphabet in the hands. Slightly offset to the right behind Methodius with a Bible under his arm. One five-pointed star is seen on the top of the medal, hanging from a light-blue ribbon.
- First class: gold medal with red enamel.
- Second class: silver medal with blue enamel.
- Third class: silver medal with white enamel.
The medal is worn on the left chest.
The Republic of Bulgaria (2003)
| Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius | |
|---|---|
| Awarded by Order of Stara Planina | |
| Next (lower) | Order of Civil Merit Order of Military Merit |
The ribbon of the Order | |
The Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius was reinstated on 29 May 2003 as the second order of the republic after the
Grades
There are three grades: Collar, 1st Class (Officer) and 2nd Class (Knight)[4]
Insignia
The order's insignia is inspired by the shape of the tsarist era:
- The medal of the first two grades is a silver-plated Byzantine cross with gilded-silver edges, the 3rd grade is only totally silver-plated.
- The flames in the cross angle are no longer subject to a lily
- On the reverse, instead of the crowned cipher names, the national colors of the country can be found.
The ribbon of the Order is orange[4]
-
Collar -
Officer -
Knight
See also
References
- ^ The Grand Master of the Bulgarian Orders - official website of H.M. Simeon II
- ^ Order of St. Cyril and Methodius Apostles - official website of H.M. Simeon II
- ^ World Medals Index, Kingdom of Bulgaria, Order of SS. Cyril and Methodius
- ^ a b c World Medals Index, Republic of Bulgaria, Order of SS. Cyril and Methodius