Current Awards – LAZARUS UNION

NEW AWARDS

In 2020 the International Lazarus Union and its Knighthood of Honour will celebrated the 10th birthday – among others with a great Investiture Ceremony and other events. This anniversary is a good opportunity to celebrate and to visualize the changing of the General Plenipotentiary by the new awards. 2023 we celebrate “10 years Kreuzenstein Castle”.

As a “general topic” for all new awards the extensive presence of the Lazarus Union (LU) on all five continents will be symbolized. Therefore the basis of the awards is a globe on which different symbols can be fixed according to need and kind of award.

The presence of the LU on all five continents is symbolized by streaks in different colours. Through circles at the ends they can be seen with some imagination as humans who rejoicingly raise their hands.

In addition just the inner symbols in the middle of the decoration should be principally different. Thereby UNIQUE shall be created that can be identified in the future as decorations of the Lazarus Union for any given purpose.

For many of the “old” decorations there exist no longer stamping tools and therefore these decorations cannot be formed any longer and so many of these decorations were replaced by the new created insignia. The classification of the current possibilities for awarding in three categories remains valid.

The focus is on the candidate himself and he shall be Honoured officially by an award.

This Honour for the candidate will be fixed by an appropriate decree without any obligation to buy a portable award or to wear it (as well no obligation for the person who applies for an award for a third person).

Again we have to concentrate on the basic idea of an award that prefers the NON-MATERIAL instead of the ECONOMIC value.

In ancient Greece, it was also just a simple laurel branch, which was presented to an Olympic champion as a sign of his merit and honor.

An award of the Lazarus Union is given according to the merit in the appropriate degree and with the issuance and the receipt of the decree, the candidate (or the submitter) is entitled to acquire the respective insignia against payment of an insignia fee. The purchase of the insignia is absolutely voluntary and has nothing to do with the real award. We would like to hand out the decorations for free. Unfortunately this is impossible because we don’t want to use donations for this and there are also no receipts by membership fees. Nevertheless we want to keep the costs as low as possible. Unfortunately the costs for the production of the decorations are not as low as we would like to have them due to the magnitude of the insignias. For the new decorations the following insignia fees are valid (however these fees can be waived by a resolution of the Board or the General Plenipotentiary):

Medal of Honour: EUR 30,-; Ribbon EUR 5,-: Miniature EUR 8,-.
Medal of Honour 1^st Class: EUR 45,-; Ribbon with Rosette EUR 12,-; Miniature EUR 10,-.
Great Medal of Honour in Silver: EUR 75,-; Ribbon with Rosette EUR 15,-; Miniature EUR 20,-.
Great Medal of Honour in Gold: EUR 95,-; Ribbon with Rosette EUR 20,-; Miniature EUR 25,-.
Special stage: These insignis are generally awarded free of charge!
Cost for delivery: Austria EUR 6,-; Europe EUR 16,-; outside Europe EUR 25,-.

On the one hand it is granted with this procedure that merited persons get an appropriate honour of their merits (without having in mind the “economic” costs) and on the other hand that for these awards the Lazarus Union does not have to use donations.

IMPORTANT!
However, in general and for all given awards, the rule is that they must not be sold or given to third parties during the lifetime of the recipient.

Further important information for persons wearing decorations:
All recipients of awards are aware of this and they expressly take note of this by accepting an award that the award may be revoked in the event of conduct harmful to the Lazarus Union, that a ban on wearing it may be issued and that the award has to be returned to the Lazarus Union without delay and free of charge, regardless of the type of acquisition.

Our “awarding policy” provides THREE kinds of distinctions awarded by the Lazarus Union:

CATEGORY 1

Distinctions as a “Thank you” and as a “donation receipt” (these are, if one wants to say so, distinctions which can be “acquired by purchase”. Their purpose is to help financing our projects.).

“Old decorations” (they will be maintained due to traditional reasons).

Foundation Cross
Donation Cross of the Lazarus Union with Silver Star and Gold Star (this particular special insignia can only be awarded!)
Members’ Medal in Bronze (silver and golden medals can only be awarded on application for a fee depending on membership)
Medal of Friendship in Bronze (silver and golden medals will be awarded free of charge)
UN-NGO Remembrance Cross (in favour of the UNHCR)
Blessing Medal

“New awards” in this category there is the

Jubilee medal – 10 years Lazarus Union

and now NEW the

“Kreuzenstein Medal” – 10 years titular seat of the Lazarus Union

“Kreuzenstein Medal” – 10 years titular seat of the Lazarus Union

The Kreuzenstein Castle

The history of the castle begins in the 12th century when it was built by Hadmar I of Kuenring. Over the centuries the castle changed ownership several times until it was finally acquired by Count Johann Nepomuk Wilczek in 1884. Count Wilczek appointed the architect Karl von Hasenauer to rebuild the castle, which was by then in ruins.

The rebuilt of the castle starts

Kreuzenstein Castle became a true masterpiece of Romantic architecture, featuring numerous ornate elements such as towers, oriels, arcades, and frescoes. It served as the residence of the Wilczek family and as a museum housing an extensive collection of weapons, armour, paintings, and antiques.

The castle after completion – a mighty sight

Today, Kreuzenstein Castle is a popular tourist attraction that draws thousands of visitors every year. It is known for its imposing appearance, rich history, and unique architecture, which transports visitors back in time and immerses them in the fascinating world of the Middle Ages.

The castle today

The current owner of the castle¸ Count Hans-Christian Wilczek, has conveyed his agreement to the Chapter of the Knighthood in 2013 that Kreuzenstein Castle is allowed to be the “official titular seat of the Knighthood of Honour of the Lazarus Union” with immediate effect.
To emphasise this 10th anniversary, a very important milestone in the history of the Lazarus Union and its honorary knighthood, the Lazarus Union donates the “Kreuzenstein Jubilee Medal”.

The ceremonial investitures of our international “Honorary Knighthood of Lazarus Union” also take place very often in this wonderful castle complex.

The “Kreuzenstein” Medal

The medal shows an image of Kreuzenstein Castle on the front and the newly adapted logo of the Lazarus Union on the reverse. The medal is worn on a red/gold striped ribbon. Diameter 42mm.

For the design of the medal, we thank the founder of the Lazarus Union, Senator Prof.hon. Colonel Wolfgang Steinhardt PhD(USA) hon., who also shaped the newly adapted logo of the Lazarus Union.

The jubilee medal can be ordered now via the Lazarus Union Web Shop. The net proceeds benefit the “Uganda Project of the Lazarus Union”.

AVERS REVERS

FOLDER:

Download (PDF, 1000KB)

Jubilee Medal

Remarks:

The next investiture will be again an extraordinary event. We want to celebrate our 10^th anniversary and we don’t want to use donations for this and therefore we created the Jubilee Medal for limited production of 300 pieces.

Therefore an “Jubilee Medal” on the basis of the new insignia shall be created. The medal costs EUR 30,- (triangle ribbon with ribbon bar). In addition the miniature is offered for the price of EUR 10,-. For each Jubilee Medal a personal decree will be issued. The Medal can be purchased in our web shop.

Original medal	Magnification of the medal (Initial draft)	Miniature

CATEGORY 2

Distinctions that can be applied for and the original insignia usually being awarded for an insignia fee. A third party must forward the application. It is not possible to submit an application for yourself!

„Old decorations” (all old decorations are practically cancelled!)

Exceptions:
Lazarus Union Cross (in expiration)
Medal of Flame of Humanity (in expiration)

„New decorations“ (this category was completed new drafted!)

Medal of Honour for Special Merits
Medal of Honour for Missions
Medal of Honour for Humanity
Medal of Honour UN-NGO
Medal of Honour Academy
Medal of Honour Navy Corps
Medal of Honour Music Corps
Medal of Honour for Friendship

AWARDING GUIDELINES
The special feature of this category is the fact that each person can apply for a decoration for each person. Of course the application has to be justified and it is up to the Lazarus Union to decide upon the level of the award.

APPLICATION FORM: (please download, fill out, scan or send it per post)

This application form is valid for all decorations of the Lazarus Union and replaces all former application forms for decorations of the Lazarus Union!

Download (PDF, 218KB)

Medal of Honour for Special Merits

In general: This decoration will be awarded for outstanding merits for the Lazarus Union either by personal commitment or by using connections for the benefit of the Lazarus Union and proven loyalty to the Lazarus Union.

Honour Medal: For outstanding merits
Honour Medal 1^st Class: For continuous and outstanding merits
Great Honour Medal in Silver: For extraordinary and outstanding merits
Great Honour Medal in Gold: For extraordinary, continuous and outstanding merits
Special level: Neck Cross for very special, extraordinary, continuous and outstanding merits and support

Medal of Honour for Missions

In general: This decoration will be awarded for outstanding personal commitment and for the benefit of the Lazarus Union or for other public institutions and charitable organisations (e.g. Voluntary Fire Brigade, Red Cross, Johanniter, Caritas, Social Welfare Work and so on).

Honour Medal: For outstanding commitment
Honour Medal 1^st Class: For continuous and outstanding commitment
Great Honour Medal in Silver: For extraordinary and outstanding commitment
Great Honour Medal in Gold: For extraordinary, continuous and outstanding commitment
Special level: Neck Cross for very special, extraordinary, continuous and outstanding merits and commitment

Medal of Honour for Humanity

In general: This decoration will be awarded for outstanding personal humanity for the benefit of all fellow humans and in the sense of humanity.

Honour Medal: For outstanding humanity
Honour Medal 1^st Class: For continuous and outstanding humanity
Great Honour Medal in Silver: For extraordinary and outstanding humanity
Great Honour Medal in Gold: For extraordinary, continuous and outstanding humanity
Special level: Neck Cross for very special, extraordinary, continuous and outstanding merits in the field of humanity

Honour Medal UN-NGO

In general: This decoration will be awarded for outstanding personal commitment in the sense of and according to the Charter of the United Nations and for humanitarian missions for the United Nations in personal and spiritual terms.

Honour Medal: For outstanding UN engagement
Honour Medal 1^st Class: For continuous and outstanding UN engagement
Great Honour Medal in Silver: For extraordinary and outstanding UN engagement
Great Honour Medal in Gold: For extraordinary, continuous and outstanding UN engagement
Special level: Neck Cross for very special, extraordinary, continuous and outstanding merits and support of the United Nations

Medal of Honour International Leadership Academy

In general: This decoration will be awarded for outstanding personal merits in scientifical, research-based and artistic terms in the widely different areas of science, research and art.

Honour Medal: For outstanding personal merits
Honour Medal 1^st Class: For continuous and outstanding personal merits
Great Honour Medal in Silver: For extraordinary and outstanding personal merits
Great Honour Medal in Gold: For extraordinary, continuous and outstanding personal merits
Special level: Neck Cross for very special, extraordinary, continuous and outstanding merits and support for the Leadership Academy

Honour Medal Navy Corps

In general: This decoration will be awarded for outstanding personal merits concerning the maintenance of the worldwide navy tradition, the comradeship at sea and ashore, the worldwide maritime shipping and the promotion for the ideas of inland and maritime shipping.

Honour Medal Music Corps

In general: This decoration will be awarded for outstanding personal merits concerning the maintenance of music in all its facets and colours, of musical comradeship and mutual support and of active playing music.

Honour of Medal for Friendship

In general: This decoration will be awarded for outstanding personal merits concerning the maintenance of friendship, comradeship and connection inside and outside the Lazarus Union and to the Lazarus Union.

Note:

Special levels are GENERALLY free of charge!

CATEGORY 3

Distinctions which will only be awarded but cannot be applied for.

“Old decorations”

Peace Cross of the founder of the Lazarus Union (the highest decoration!)
Grand Stars of the Lazarus Union
Honour Stars of the Lazarus Union
UN-NGO Medal for UN-Delegates of the Lazarus Union
Cross of Honour for Science, Research and Arts of the Lazarus Union (in expiration)
Various Special Awards and Honour Ribbons

“New Decorations”

Cross of Honour of the General Plenipotentiary

Awarding guidelines

In general: This decoration will be awarded for outstanding support to the General Plenipotentiary concerning his work for the Lazarus Union and special loyalty to the person of the General Plenipotentiary

Honour Medal: For outstanding support
Honour Medal 1^st Class: For continuous outstanding support
Great Honour Medal in Silver: For extraordinary and outstanding support
Great Honour Medal in Gold: For extraordinary, continuous outstanding support
Special level: Neck Cross for very special, extraordinary, continuous and outstanding merits and support

Fundamental note concerning the awards:

Over and over again we honestly emphasise: The Lazarus Union asks neither for application fees nor for membership fees. The Lazarus Union neither receives any public aid or grant nor has it ever asked for such.

So the Lazarus Union finances its various projects only based on voluntary donations and so depends on the money of the various distinctions which can be acquired by purchase and the fees for distinctions applied for.

Distinctions which cannot be applied for are in general awarded without fees but the persons awarded are free to place a donation to the Lazarus Union AFTER having been awarded.

We consider this open, honest and transparent towards all persons receiving a distinction from the Lazarus Union because also a “donation” for a distinction which can be acquired by purchase is in our eyes worthy of an award!

Pictures of the new original decorations in the English version will follow soon, but You can find them in the German version now!

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