Order of Saints George & Olga
(United Roman-Ruthenian Church)

 


The Order of Saints George and Olga is a religious-dynastic order of the Pontifical Household of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church given to gentlemen and ladies of high rank or office in recognition for significant service to the mission of Rome or the Pontifical Household. The order is subdivided into two divisions, one exclusively for gentlemen and the other exclusively for ladies. The Grand Master of both divisions is the Bishop of Rome-Ruthenia. The order is generally only conferred upon nobles of the rank of Baron and above and General officers and its civil equivalent. It ranks immediately after the Pontifical Order of the Eagle. Membership also confers nobility ad vitam.  

The order is named in honour of its celestial patrons, Saint George the Martyr and Saint Olga of Kiev. St. George has many patronages, including knights, cavalry, and horsemen. He is a prominent figure in the history, patrimony, and traditions of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church. The St. George cross is seen in the coats of arms of Barcelona and Trier, the insignia of the Pontifical Georgian College, and the flags of the Pontifical Walsingham Guard, among others. 

Saint Olga was Grand Princess consort of Kiev and ruled the Old Russian State (Kievan Rus') as Regent on behalf of her son after her husband was assassinated. She is highly regarded for her efforts to spread the Catholic faith in her territory, which culminated in her grandson, Saint Vladimir the Great, making the Christian faith the official religion. She is also an ancestress of several royal and noble houses in Central and Western Europe, including the French Capetian and Bourbon dynasties.

The order is given only in one rank, that of Knight or Dame. In rare and exceptional cases in recognition of the highest service, the office and distinction of Grand Commander may be conferred. Although the order ranks immediately after the Pontifical Order of the Eagle, the honour of Grand Commander of Sts. George and Olga ranks first among dynastic honours and immediately after the Aquiline Order of Christ. 

Also, Grand Dukes of Rome-Ruthenia receive this order, along with the Aquiline Order of Christ, on their 18th birthday.

The insignia consists of a gold Roman Eagle centred upon a white eight-pointed cross with gold eagles in between. The cross is worn by Knights pendant from an orange and black striped neck ribbon, and by Dames pendant from a bow of the same ribbon. The Grand Master, Grand Mistress, and Grand Commanders may wear the insignia on a broad ribbon sash in the colours of the order over the right shoulder. The colours are imperial yellow and black, with the yellow tinged with the red of the martyrs.

Wear of Deocrations of the Pontifical and Imperial Orders


Gentleman's neck cross of the order


Insignia of the Dames of the Order


Cordon of the Grand Commanders of the Order


Knight's cross with pin for
wear on the chest

Knight's cross with pin for
wear on the chest
(small ribbon version)


Lapel Ribbon



List of Current Grand Commanders

H.H. Bishop Rutherford I of Rome-Ruthenia
H.P.I.M. Hanna Alexandrovna of Rome-Ruthenia
H.R.H. the Grand Prince of Epirus
H.R.S.H. the Prince of Chíquiza



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Nota Bene: These orders are given exclusively by the United Roman-Ruthenian Church, Stato Pontificio Imperiale di Roma-Ruthenia as historic orders of the Stato Pontificio. H.H. the Bishop of Rome-Ruthenia holds the exclusive right to confer them.
They are distinct from the modern state orders given by the Vatican City-State or any other state.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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