Imperial Ethiopian Orders

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ETHIOPIAN ORDERS
IMPERIAL ORDERS
The Order of Solomon
The highest Imperial Order. Reserved for emperors, high princes of the Imperial House, heads of state, monarchs.
The Order of Solomon's Seal
Very high order reserved for Prince's of direct line & foreign heads of state.
The Order of the Queen of Sheba
Originally for designed for Princess' of direct line but has been awarded to heads of state and royals.
The Order of the Holy Trinity
Originally for heads of Church but has been awarded to diplomats, heads of state, royals, nobles, and senior military leaders,
The Order of Emperor Menelik II
Awarded in the past to government officials, members of the Imperial Family, foreign dignitaries, royals, nobles and military leaders for service to the crown.
The Order of the Ethiopian Lion
Awarded to government officials, diplomats, advisors, military leaders, royalty and nobility for service to the crown.
The Order of the Star of Ethiopia
Awarded to government officials, diplomats, advisors, military leaders, royalty, nobility, and for service to the crown.
The Order of Saint Anthony
Arguably the oldest order of chivalry still in existence today. Originated in the fourth century. Originally a monastic order. Awarded rarely today. The lowest order in the Imperial pantheon of orders.
DYNASTIC or "HOUSE" ORDERS
The Dynastic Orders have all been initiated since the family was exiled in 1974. These contemporary orders are more commonly awarded by the present Crown than are the older Imperial Orders. Nevertheless, the House Orders represent prestigious awards emanating from the Head of the Imperial House and Origo Fons Honorum Aethiopiae.
The Order of the Ark of the Covenant
The Highest of Dynastic orders. Instituted by H.I.H. Zere Yacob. Rarely awarded outside of the Imperial Family or to senior advisors of government. The only recipient of the order is a member of the priory.
The Order of Haile Selassie I
Originated by H.I.M. Emperor (in exile) Amha Selassie to recognize pan-African development and peace initiatives.
The Solomonic Order of Merit
Instituted by H.I.H. Zere Yacob as a chivalric order of merit. Bestowed in recognition of service to the Ethiopian crown or people of Ethiopia. Typically for humanitarian service.
The Order of Saint Mary of Zion
Instituted by H.I.H. Zere Yacob as a "working" order of chivalry to help generate resources for humanitarian efforts in Ethiopia.
Ethiopian Knighthood
It is within the purview of the Crown to bestow the rank of Knight Bachelor. A Knight Bachelor is not affiliated with any of the Orders but is recognized as a Knight in service to the Crown. A knight Bachelor would rank senior to all Knights holding Dynastic Orders except the Order of the Ark of the Covenant, but not senior to knights of the Imperial Orders. To my knowledge, this rank of knighthood has not been bestowed by H.I.H. Prince Zere Yacob.
The Ethiopian Order of Baronets

The title of Baronet or Gerazmatch is the only hereditary title of nobility available to non-Ethiopians. The title is made available by invitation to ten persons a year. Conditions of the title are based upon established Articles of Homage which defines specific responsibility attendant to those holding the title. The title remains active to the recipient for so long as the conditions defined in the Articles of Homage are honored and continue in this capacity from generation to generation. The Baronet is pledged to provide support to the village specified in the Baronetcy as specified in the Articles of Homage for so long as he lives. The Imperial Ethiopian Order of Baronets constitutes a Noble Company comprised of individuals that hold the title of Baronet or other titles of nobility. Ethiopian nobles inducted into the Imperial Ethiopian Order of Baronets are designated as "Fellows" of the Order and carry the postnominals of Bt.(E). The insignia of the order is a large oval onyx set in silver having in the center a gold Ethiopian Orthodox Cross set with a ruby in the center and emeralds on the four arms of the cross. This is suspended by a silver collar.

All Baronets appointed thus far (5) have been Templars, two of which are members of the Priory.

The Order of the Ark of the Covenant

The Order of the Ark has typically been reserved for highly placed persons with a long history of loyalty and service to the Crown. This is a relatively new order initiated by H.I.H. Zere Yacob, and has only been awarded once. The insignia is a rendition of the Ark of the Covenant in gold on a red background surrounded with a gold Star of David. The insignia is augmented with diamonds and rubies.

The Order of Saint Mary of Zion

This Order of chivalry is open to individuals who wish to join and meet the criteria (members of the Templar Order meet all requirements). Proceeds derived from this order are used exclusively for humanitarian work within the projects defined by the crown. Passage fee for the Order is $500 with a yearly oblation of $250. The Order is awarded in three ranks, Knight / Dame, Commander, and Grand Cross. The insignia is a rendition of Mary with Christ Child on a sky blue background. The insignia is accented with Amethysts and Aquamarine. The ribbon is sky blue and mulberry. The Order is awarded in three common ranks of Knight / Dame, Commander, and Grand Cross. The rank of Grand Collar is reserved for royals and for individuals within the Order who display exceptional service over an enduring period of time.

The Solomonic Order of Merit (formerly known as the MEOLJ)

This is a chivalric order of merit awarded in recognition of efforts supporting the crown and the Ethiopian people. Being an order of merit, it incurs no cost to the recipient other than the cost of the insignia should the recipient desire to own it. The Order is awarded in three grades, Knight / Dame (silver breast star), Commander (gold breast star), Grand Cross (cordon). A collar of the Order is reserved for exceptional service or prolonged loyalty to the Crown. The Order is also awarded in three classes. Knights of Justice for those working directly for the Crown, Knights of Honor for recognizing those providing service but outside of the organizations of the Crown, and Knights of Grace for members of the clergy, who are contributing to the efforts of the Crown. The insignia is the same for recipients regardless of class. This has been awarded with some frequency within the Priory in recognition of our work in Ethiopia. Additional bestowals are pending and it is anticipated that this Order will become commonplace within the Priory as our work in Ethiopia continues. The insignia is a gold Lion of Judah surmounted on a disc of ebony surrounded by a Star of David enameled green. The ribbon and cordon are green with thin red and yellow striping on each edge.

Commendations

There are several specific commendations that lie within the prerogatives of the crown and specifically within the prerogatives as delegated from the Crown to the Imperial Chancellor. There exist twelve specific commendations housed within the organization of the Order of Saint Mary of Zion but which are available to award to anyone within the chivalric system of the Crown. The following is extracted from the Statutes of the Order of Saint Mary of Zion.

Section 1. Commendations There exists within the Order twelve specific commendations. While these are specific to the Order, the Crown has the option to award these to individuals not directly affiliated with the Order in recognition of comparable service to the Crown.

Section 2. Specific Commendations The following are listed in ascending order of precedence.

Service Medal. This is awarded to members upon reaching service levels of 5, 10, and 20 years.
Knight's Cross. Awarded for chivalric service to the Order.
Amha Selassie I Founders Medal. Awarded to those instrumental in recruiting and forming new commands of the Order.
The Order of the Horn of Africa. Awarded for knightly pilgrimage to Ethiopia.
The Crescent of the Nile. Awarded for professional services (medical, legal, clerical) to the Crown or the People of Ethiopia.
The Cross of Axum. Awarded for religious services to the Order or the Crown.
Haile Selassie I Humanitarian Service Medal. Awarded for direct humanitarian services as performed in the name of the Order or the Crown.
Star of the Empire. Awarded to leaders that demonstrate exemplary service while in a position of administration or command.
Legion of Valor. Awarded for personal sacrifice to the Order.
Order of the Crown. Awarded for personal sacrifice to the Crown.
Dynastic Order of Honor. Awarded for exceptional service or sacrifice to the Crown or to oppressed peoples in the name of the Crown.
Imperial Order of Merit. Awarded only upon recommendation of the Grand Master for exceptional service to the Crown.
Any commendation can be awarded more than once with each additional award being signified with a small bronze star affixed to the ribbon of the respective decoration. Any award can be bestowed with "distinction" such being designated with a bronze "D" affixed to the ribbon of the respective decoration.
The following members of the Priory have received Imperial Orders.

The Order of Emperor Menelik II : Belai Habte-Jesus

The following Dynastic Orders have been bestowed to members of the Priory.

The Order of the Ark of the Covenant : Belai Habte-Jesus

The Solomonic Order of Merit
Grand Collar (GCSOM) : H.R.H. Prince Estifanos Mengesha Seyoum
Grand Cross / Class of Justice (GSOM) : Belai Habte-Jesus, Steve E. Pehrson, Thomas J. Allred, Steven D. Clark, Ron Ivie, Linda Briggs
Commander / Class of Justice (CSOM) : Bobby Richardson, Cynan Benedikt, Garry Bryant, Don Wood (proposed), Lloyd Neilson (proposed)
Knight or Dame / Class of Justice (KSOM / DSOM) : Rev. Lynn Truman, Kami Pehrson, Astrid Allred, Carol Rasmussen, Callie Webb, Ed Lombard-Stewart, Jacqueline Benedikt (proposed)

The Order of Saint Mary of Zion
Grand Collar (GCMZ) : H.R.H. Prince Estifanos Mengesha, Betwoded Belai Habte-Jesus
Grand Cross (GMZ) : Steve E. Pehrson, Thomas J. Allred, Steven D. Clark, Ron Ivie
Commander (CMZ) : Bobby Richardson, Cynan Benedikt

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The Priory of the Mountain of the House of the Lord
Last update: 22 Jan 2001