Order of Merit (Portugal)

Order of Merit
Ordem do Mérito
Plaque and badge of the Commander
Awarded by Portuguese Republic
TypeOrder
Established1927 as the Order of Instruction and of Benefaction
1929 as the Order of Benefaction
1976 Current form
EligibilityPortuguese and foreign citizens; military or civilian
Awarded forMeritorious acts or services in the exercise of any functions, public or private, revealing self-sacrifice in favor of the community.
StatusCurrently constituted
Grand MasterPresident of the Portuguese Republic
ChancellorMaria Helena Nazaré
GradesGrand Cross
Grand Officer
Commander
Officer
Medal
Precedence
Next (higher)Order of Camões
Next (lower)Order of Public Instruction

Ribbon bar of the Order of Merit

The Order of Merit (Portuguese: Ordem do Mérito) is a Portuguese Honorific Order of civil merit intended to award those responsible for meritorious acts or services performed in the exercise of any functions, both in the public and the private sphere, which reveal self-sacrifice in favor of the community. The decorations are given by the President of the Portuguese Republic, in his role as the Grand-Master of the Portuguese Honorific Orders. The Order of Merit can be awarded, during life or posthumously, to both Portuguese and foreign citizens; it can also be awarded to localities or institutions that are legal persons governed by public law or of public utility. This order has been awarded to a number of people performing the most diverse functions such as ambassadors, businesspeople, military personnel, athletes and musicians.

History

The Order of Merit has its origin in April 1927, when the Order of Instruction and Benefaction (Original Portuguese: Ordem da Instrução e da Benemerência) was created. The goal of this now extinct order was to distinguish the services performed by people or corporations in order to further the instruction in the country. In 1929, the Order of Instruction and Benefaction was split in two different orders, the Order of Benefaction and the Order of Public Instruction, with the former now solely awarding acts related to social causes, public assistance and goodwill. In 1976, the order was renamed to its current title.

Grades

  • Grand Cross (GCM) (Grã-Cruz)
  • Grand Officer (GOM) (Grande-Oficial)
  • Commander (ComM) (Comendador or Comendadeira)
  • Officer (OM) (Oficial)
  • Medal (MedM) (Medalha)
  • Honorary Member (MHM) (Membro Honorário)

Notable recipients of the Order of Merit

Name Post-nominal Occupation Date appointed
Carlos Manuel Cabral Verissimo ComM Businessman 10 June 1990
José Cardoso Pires GCM Writer 4 February 1989
Ruy de Carvalho GCM Actor 1 March 2017
Mário Coelho ComM Bullfighter 23 June 2005
Nicolau Breyner GOM Actor 9 June 2005
Carlos do Carmo GOM Fado singer 3 December 2016
Valentim Loureiro ComM Politician 18 September 1989
Raul Nery ComM Musician 8 June 2012
Peter Trickett ComM Scholar 8 October 2009
Luso-Can Tuna MHM Tuna 28 February 2014
Bruno Alves, Eduardo Carvalho, Ricardo Carvalho, William Carvalho, Eder, Eliseu, José Fonte, André Gomes, Raphaël Guerreiro, Anthony Lopes, João Mário, João Moutinho, Nani, Rui Patrício, Pepe, Danilo Pereira, Vieirinha, Ricardo Quaresma, Cristiano Ronaldo, Renato Sanches, Adrien Silva, Rafa Silva, Cédric Soares as UEFA Euro 2016 winners ComM Footballers 10 July 2016
Tsanko Arnaudov, Jéssica Augusto, Marisa Barros, Ana Dulce Félix, Vanessa Fernandes, Patrícia Mamona, Sara Moreira ComM Athletes 13 July 2016
Fernando Pimenta ComM Canoeist 13 July 2016
Salvador Sobral, Luísa Sobral ComM Musicians 23 April 2018
Fernando Santos GOM Football coach 10 July 2016
Fernanda Freitas OM Journalist 10 July 2013
Jim Costa ComM Politician 8 June 1996
Andrzej Duda GCM Politician 26 February 2009
Antonio Felix da Costa CommM Formula E driver 3 September 2020

This page was last updated at 2024-02-07 17:29 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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