The Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius is an award conferred by the Republic of Bulgaria and first established on 18 May 1909 by Tsar Ferdinand I of Bulgaria. The second incarnation is from second on 13 December 1950 by the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, and the third from 29 May 2003 by the current Republic of Bulgaria.
The Royal Order only has one class: Knight, represented by a collar, sash and breast-star. The first Grand Cross of the order to be awarded to the highest state officials. Former King Simeon II of Bulgaria considers this version of the order to be his dynastic order and wears it – from left shoulder to right hip – on official occasions.
The 1950 version was awarded as an honor in the fields of science, culture, or painting and consisted of three classes: First class, Second class and Third class.
The 2003 version is awarded for merit in the fields of art, science, education and culture and has three grades: Collar, 1st Class (Officer) and 2nd Class (Knight).
The Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius Design
Royal order:
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 center of the cross is a representation of a seraph. The ribbon is pale orange.
1950:
The medal is worn on the left chest and it’s round with red, blue or white enamel background. It shows the image of the Saints in relief. On 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.
2003:
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.
