Bulgarian Order Cyril and Methodius, 3rd Class + Case
Instituted: On 13th December 1950
Cyril and Methodius were the 2 brothers philosophers who created the Bulgarian alphabet in 862. That was the first Slavonic alphabet used later by Russia and other Slavoniic countries.
Awarded to: For contribution to the spheres of education and culture.
Form: Round, 36 mm in diameter. In the center of the circle can be noticed the embossed images of the Slav teachers Cyril and Methodius holding a book with the first three letters of the alphabet.
Classes: The newer type of order has 3 classes. The 1st class is made of yellow metal, whereas for the make of the 2nd and 3rd was used white metal. The other difference is in terms of enamel color: red, blue and white (for 1st, 2nd and 3rd classes respectively). All the three classes have blue ribbons of five-angle shape.
Emissions: Eventhough the order has 40 years of history, it has only one emission, which, however, has undergone certain changes. Initially, the order was numbered on the reverse and the figures of the two brothers were more detailed compared to the next issues. Later, there started to be awarded only pieces without numbers. The ribbon changed as well. In the beginning, it was made of silk material stretched on a solid base made of brass. Later, the metal ribbon gained a more ordinary outlook. This way it was used up to '70s, when it was replaced by a ribbon of aluminum base. Cases also come in several variants: different in terms of size and coat of arms (old or new).
Author: Onik Odabashian
The first person awarded with the order is prof. Nikola Obreshkov (on 22 May 1951).
Closed: 1989
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