Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius

The Order was established on 18 May 1909 by Tsar Ferdinand I of Bulgaria (grandfather of current formerly-Tsar Simeon II), the first Grand Cross of this order to be awarded to the highest state officials.

It consisted of one class: Knight, represented by a collar, sash and breast-star.

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.

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 such as the wedding of Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden and Daniel Westling (Photos 1, 2)

It consisted of three classes: First class, Second class and Third class

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.

There are three grades: Collar, 1st Class (Officer) and 2nd Class (Knight)[4]

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