The National Decorations System of Romania (Romanian; Moldavian; Moldovan: Sistemul Național de Decorații) is divided into six categories, listed below. It was re-established in 1998 after a 50-year period in which Romania used a Soviet-style system of decorations. It is very similar to the system used in Romania during the interwar period.
The list is ordered in descending order of the awards' rank in the National System of Decorations.
Shortly after the change of regime in December 1989, the attributions related to the establishment and conferring of the decorations were to be assumed, by Decree-Law no. 2/1989. The situation would however remain unchanged until the 1991 Constitution.[1]
See Order of Michael the Brave
See Order of Carol I
See Order of the Star of Romania
| Order of Ferdinand I Ordinul Ferdinand I | |
| Awarded By: | King of Romania |
| Type: | State decoration |
| Eligibility: | Exclusively for Romanian citizens only. |
| For: | (1) Outstanding contributions to the Union of Transylvania with Romania; (2) National activity or Military deeds contributing to the union of all Romanians; (3) Meritorious service to the nation. |
| Status: | 18 February 1937 (Dormant) Abolished |
| Head Title: | Sovereign |
| Head: | King Michael I of Romania |
| Head2 Title: | Chancellor |
| Grades: | Knight Grand Cross with Collar Knight/Dame Grand Cross Knight/Dame Grand Officer Knight/Dame Commander Knight/Dame Officer Knight/Dame |
| Date: | 10 May 1929 (Instituted) 1929–1947 (National Order) |
| Religion: | Romanian Orthodox |
| Higher: | Order of the Crown |
| Lower: | Royal Order for Merit |
| Ribbon: | Navy Blue with a Gold stripe in the middle and a thin Red stripe between the Gold. |
The Order of Ferdinand I (Romanian: Ordinul Ferdinand I) was instituted on 10 May 1929 by the Regency of King Michael I, then a minor, in memory of the late King Ferdinand I. It was created to reward those who contributed to the building of The Greater Romania. The Order was the fifth highest ranking of the Romanian Decorations of the Kingdom of Romania until the abolition of the monarchy in 1947. The Order was not reinstated as a Dynastic Order by the Romanian Royal Family as they had done with two other Orders.
During its time as a National Order it was widely awarded to members of the Romanian Royal Family, Romanian Prime Ministers, Romanian politicians, people who contributed to the union of all Romanians through national activity or military deeds, those who would have contributed extraordinary merits to the country in the future, and those thought to be worthy of receiving the order by the King of Romania.
With the death of the former King Michael I, there are currently no living members of the Order.
See Order for Merit
See House Order of Hohenzollern
| Order of Bene Merenti of the Royal House Ordinul Bene Merenti al Casei Domnitoare | |
| Awarded By: | King of Romania |
| Type: | State decoration |
| Eligibility: | (1) Civil, Military; (2) Foreign Citizens |
| For: | (1) Achievements in the fields of Culture, Science, Industry, Agriculture and Services to the King; (2) Services to the King |
| Status: | Abolished on 8 September 1940 |
| Head Title: | Sovereign |
| Head: | King Michael I of Romania |
| Head2 Title: | Chancellor |
| Grades: | Knight/Dame Commander Knight/Dame Officer Knight/Dame Medal |
| Date: | 20 February 1876 (Instituted) 1876 – 1915 (National Decoration) 1915 – 1940 (National Order) |
| Religion: | Romanian Orthodox |
| Higher: | Romanian Order of the House of Hohenzollern |
| Lower: | Order of Agricultural Merit |
| Related: | House Order of Hohenzollern |
| Same: | Order of St. George |
| Ribbon: | Silver with a thin black stripe in the middle and either side |
The Order of Bene Merenti of the Royal House (Romanian: Ordinul Bene Merenti al Casei Domnitoare) was instituted as a Decoration on 20 February 1876 by Prince Carol I (later King Carol I of the Kingdom of Romania) during his tenth year of reign as Domnitor or Sovereign Prince of the United Principalities of Romania. The Decoration was changed into an Order on 16 December 1915 by King Carol I's nephew King Ferdinand I of Romania. On 8 September 1940, the Order was abolished and replaced with the Order of St. George by King Ferdinand I's grandson King Michael I.[5]
The Order, previously a Decoration Medal known as the Decoration of Bene Merenti of the Royal House, was based as a separate Romanian version of the House Order of Hohenzollern of the House of Hohenzollern to which Prince Carol I belonged.
Although intended to honour Civilians, military figures, and foreigners with achievements in the fields of Culture, Science, Industry, Agriculture and also Services to the King, the Decoration was rarely bestowed.[5]
The Decoration was in two types:
The Decoration was transformed into an Order under the reign of King Carol I's nephew King Ferdinand I on 16 December 1915.
On 8 September 1940, the Order was abolished and replaced by the Order of St. George under the reign of King Ferdinand I's grandson King Michael I.[5]
| Order of Saint George Ordinul Sfântul Gheorghe | |
| Awarded By: | King of Romania |
| Type: | State decoration |
| Eligibility: | Military |
| For: | Achievements of Service in time of war. |
| Status: | Abolished in 1947 |
| Head Title: | Sovereign |
| Head: | King Michael I of Romania |
| Head2 Title: | Chancellor |
| Grades: | Knight Grand Cross with Collar Knight Grand Cross Knight Grand Officer Knight Commander Knight Officer Knight |
| Date: | 15 September 1940 (Instituted) 1940 – 1947 (National Order) |
| Religion: | Romanian Orthodox |
| Higher: | Romanian House Order of Hohenzollern |
| Lower: | Order of Agricultural Merit |
| Same: | Order of Bene Merenti of the Royal House |
| Ribbon: | Navy Blue with thin Yellow stripes on the sides. |
The Order was instituted by King Michael I of Romania on 15 September 1940, 9 days after his second accession as King of Romania. The Order replaced the Order of Bene Merenti of the Royal House.
The Order was the second highest Military award after the Order of Michael the Brave and was intended for Military figures who attained "Achievements of Service in time of war." However, the Order was never awarded. The Order was abolished during the abolition of the Romanian Monarchy in 1947 and was not reinstated as a Dynastic Order of the Decorations of the Romanian Royal House by Former King Michael I.
| Order of Agricultural Merit Ordinul Meritul Agricol | |
| Awarded By: | King of Romania |
| Type: | State decoration |
| Eligibility: | Romanian and Foreign Citizens |
| For: | Outstanding contributions to Agriculture. |
| Status: | Abolished in 1947 |
| Head Title: | Sovereign |
| Head: | King Michael I of Romania |
| Head2 Title: | Chancellor |
| Grades: | Sovereign Knight Grand Officer Knight/Dame Commander Knight/Dame Officer Knight/Dame Medals |
| Religion: | Romanian Orthodox |
| Higher: | Order of St. George |
| Lower: | Order of Faithful Service |
| Related: | Decorations of Culture |
| Ribbon: | Green with a Gold stripe in the Middle. |
The Order was established with the intention of awarding Romanian and Foreign Civilians who made "Outstanding contributions to Agriculture," especially after the Great Depression in Romania from which the country was steadily recovering.
The Order was abolished during the abolition of the Romanian Monarchy in 1947.
The Order was reinstated during the Socialist Republic of Romania (see Socialist Order of Agriculture) and abolished after the Romanian Revolution.
On 31 March 2000, the Order was reinstated again (see Republican Order of Agriculture).
See main article: Order of Aeronautical Virtue.
| Royal Order of Aeronautical Virtue Ordinul Regal Virtutea Aeronautică | |
| Awarded By: | King of Romania |
| Type: | Military Decoration |
| Eligibility: | (1) Civil, Military; (2) Members of the Royal Romanian Air Force and Air Cadets. |
| For: | (1) Acts of Bravery or Valour in the air; (2) Achievements in Aviation. |
| Status: | Abolished in 1947 |
| Head Title: | Sovereign |
| Head: | King Michael I of Romania |
| Head2 Title: | Chancellor |
| Head2: | Chief of the Romanian Royal Air Force |
| Grades: | Knight Commander Knight Officer Knight Medal |
| Date: | 31 July 1930 (Instituted) 1930 – 1947 (National Order) |
| Religion: | Romanian Orthodox |
| Higher: | Royal Order of Faithful Service− |
| Lower: | Order of the Cross of Queen Marie |
| Same: | Royal Order of Military Virtue |
| Ribbon: | Pale Blue with thin White Gold stripes on either side and in the middle |
The Order was established on 31 July 1930 by Carol II as the fourth highest Military Award after the Order of Michael the Brave and the Order of St. George
The Order was intended to award Civilian and Military air personnel, as well as Members of the Royal Romanian Air Force and Air Cadets in times of Peace and War.
The Order was abolished during the abolition of the Romanian Monarchy in 1947.
On 31 March 2000, the Order was re-established, See Republican Order of Aeronautical Virtue.
The badge of the Order was based on the same design as the Order of Michael the Brave, but contains a small shield of the Lesser Coat of arms of Romania in the middle of the badge.
| Order of the Cross of Queen Marie Ordinul Crucea Regina Maria | |
| Awarded By: | King of Romania |
| Type: | Military Decoration |
| Eligibility: | Civil, Military. |
| For: | Merit in Medical work in Wars and in Peacetime. |
| Status: | Abolished in 1947 |
| Head Title: | Sovereign |
| Head: | King Michael I of Romania |
| Head2 Title: | Chancellor |
| Head2: | Chief of the Romanian Royal Air Force |
| Grades: | Knight Commander Knight Officer Knight Medal |
| Date: | 17 March 1917 (Instituted) 1930 – 1947 (National Order) |
| Religion: | Romanian Orthodox |
| Higher: | Royal Order of Military Virtue Royal Order of Aeronautical Virtue |
| Lower: | Royal Order of the Eagle of Romania |
The Order of the Cross of Marie (Romanian: Ordinul Crucea Regina Maria) was instituted on 15 February 1917 by King Ferdinand I of Romania as the fifth and lowest Military Award for Grand Mastership of his wife Princess Marie of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Edinburgh, who was a Nurse in Military hospitals as well as led The Romanian Red Cross in World War I.
The Order was established to award Civil and Military Personnel of Merit in Medical work in Wars and in Peacetime working in the same field as Queen Marie.
The Order was abolished during the abolition of the Romanian Monarchy in 1947 and was not reinstated as a Dynastic Order of the Decorations of the Romanian Royal House by Former King Michael I.
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See Order of the Eagle of Romania
See main article: Decoration of the Cross of Queen Elisabeth.
| Decoration of the Cross of Queen Elisabeth Decoratia Crucea Regina Elisabeta | |
| Awarded By: | King of Romania |
| Type: | State decoration |
| Eligibility: | Exclusively for Romanian women only. |
| For: | Outstanding contributions or services to the wounded, sick, ambulances and hospitals. |
| Status: | Abolished in 1947 |
| Head Title: | Sovereign |
| Head: | King Michael I of Romania |
| Head2 Title: | Chancellor |
| Grades: | Dame |
| Date: | 6 October 1878 (Instituted) 1878 – 1947 (National Order) |
| Religion: | Romanian Orthodox |
| Higher: | Royal Order of the Eagle of Romania |
| Lower: | Decoration of the Cross of Sanitary Merit |
| Ribbon: | Pale Blue with thin Gold stripes on the end of either side. |
The Decoration of the Cross of Queen Elisabeth (Romanian: Decorația Crucea Regina Elisabeta) was a Decoration established by Prince Carol I of Romania by Royal Decree 2270 on 6 October 1878 for his wife, Princess Elisabeth of Wied, to award Romanian women she deemed to have achieved outstanding service for caring for the wounded and sick, whether directly in ambulances and hospital campaigns, or indirectly through donations or other actions.[6]
The Decoration was abolished during the abolition of the Romanian Monarchy in 1947 and was not reinstated as a Dynastic Decoration of the Decorations of the Romanian Royal House by Former King Michael I.
See main article: Decoration of the Cross of Sanitary Merit.
| Decoration of the Cross of Sanitary Merit Decorația Crucea Meritul Sanitar | |
| Awarded By: | King of Romania |
| Type: | Chivalric state Decoration |
| Eligibility: | Civil, Military |
| For: | Outstanding Donors, Writers or other acts and work that contributes to improving the health status of the country. |
| Status: | Abolished in 1947 |
| Head Title: | Sovereign |
| Head: | King Michael I of Romania |
| Head2 Title: | Chancellor |
| Grades: | Knight/Dame Member |
| Date: | 25 November 1913 (Instituted) 1913 – 1947 (National Decoration) |
| Religion: | Romanian Orthodox |
| Higher: | Decoration of the Cross of Queen Elisabeth |
| Lower: | Decoration of the Cross of The Danube |
| Ribbon: | White with thin Red lines at either side. |
The Decoration of the Cross of Sanitary Merit (Romanian: Decorația Crucea Meritul Sanitar) was a Decoration established by King Carol I of Romania by Royal Decree 6471 on 25 November 1913 for his wife, Princess Elisabeth of Wied, to award Romanian men, women, and organisations deemed to be working outstandingly to improve the health status of the country.[6] [7]
The Decoration was abolished during the abolition of the Romanian Monarchy in 1947 and was not reinstated as a Dynastic Decoration of the Decorations of the Romanian Royal House by Former King Michael I.
| Crossing of the Danube Cross Crucea Trecerea Dunării | |
| Awarded By: | King of Romania |
| Type: | Chivalric state Decoration |
| Eligibility: | Civil, Military |
| For: | Outstanding leadership and contributions in the Romanian War of Independence |
| Status: | Abolished in 1947 |
| Head Title: | Sovereign |
| Head: | King Michael I of Romania |
| Head2 Title: | Chancellor |
| Grades: | Knight Member |
| Date: | 23 March 1878 (Instituted) 1878 – 1947 (National Decoration) |
| Religion: | Romanian Orthodox |
| Higher: | Decoration of the Cross of Sanitary Merit |
| Ribbon: | Bright Red and Black. |
The Crossing of the Danube Cross (Romanian: Crucea Trecerea Dunării) was a Decoration established by Prince Carol I of Romania by Royal Decree 617 on 23 March 1878 to award individuals for outstanding leadership and contributions in the Romanian War of Independence.
The Decoration was later awarded to very few individuals who were deemed to have proven great leadership.[6]
The Decoration was named after the Danube River where the Romanian Army fought the Ottoman Imperial Army.[8]
The Decoration was abolished during the abolition of the Romanian Monarchy in 1947 and was not reinstated as a Dynastic Decoration of the Decorations of the Romanian Royal House by Former King Michael I.