The Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called is the highest state award Russian Federation.
The Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called is awarded to outstanding government and public figures and other citizens of the Russian Federation for exceptional services contributing to the prosperity, greatness and glory of Russia.
The Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called can be awarded for outstanding services to the Russian Federation to the heads and heads of governments of foreign states.
The badge of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle is worn on the order chain or on the shoulder ribbon. Wearing the badge of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called on the order chain is allowed on especially solemn occasions. When wearing the badge of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle on the shoulder ribbon, it passes over the right shoulder. The star of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle is located on the left side of the chest, to the left of the orders below the order blocks.
Those awarded for distinction in military operations are awarded the badge and star of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle with swords.
When wearing the ribbon of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle on the bar, it is located above other order ribbons.
Description of the order
The Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called has a badge, a star, an order chain and an order ribbon.
The badge of the order is an oblong oblique cross made of silver with gilding, covered with blue enamel, with the image of the crucified Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called on it. At the ends of the cross there are golden letters “S”, “A”, “P”, “R” (Sanctus Andreas Patronus Russiae - Saint Andrew the Patron of Russia). The cross is superimposed on a relief gilded double-headed eagle, crowned with three crowns and supporting the lower ends of the oblique cross with its paws. On the reverse side of the badge, on the chest of the eagle, on a white field, the motto of the order is written in black enamel: “FOR FAITH AND LOYALTY.” The cross is suspended on a blue enamel ribbon from the middle crown, which has a ribbon eyelet on the reverse side. Sign height - 86 mm, width - 60 mm.
The order's ribbon is silk, moire, blue color, width 100 mm.
Silver star, eight-pointed. In the center of the star, in a round medallion covered with red enamel, there is a gilded relief image of a double-headed eagle crowned with three crowns; on the eagle's chest there is an image of the St. Andrew's cross (oblique, covered with blue enamel). At the top along the circumference, on a blue enamel background with gilded edging, is the order’s motto in gold: “FOR FAITH AND LOYALTY”; below is an image of two crossed laurel branches, covered with green enamel and tied with a gilded ribbon. The distance between the opposite ends of the star is 82 mm. The star is attached to clothing with a pin.
The order chain consists of 17 alternating links of three types: gilded image State emblem Russian Federation in the form of a double-headed eagle with a shield on its chest round shape with a rider, made in color; crowned with a crown and framed with military fittings, a cartouche filled with blue enamel, in the center of which is placed the gilded monogram of Peter I; rosette covered with red enamel and divided by gilded stripes in the form of a radiance. A St. Andrew's cross (oblique, covered with blue enamel) passes through the middle of the rosette, between the ends of which the letters “S”, “A”, “P”, “R” are placed. The chain links are connected by rings. The chain is made of silver with gilding and hot enamels.
For those awarded for distinction in military operations, two crossed gilded swords are added to the badge and star of the order. When attaching swords to the badge of the order, they are located under the middle crown above the double-headed eagle. The length of each sword is 47 mm, width is 3 mm. When attaching the swords to the star of the order, they are placed behind its central medallion, on top of the middle rays of the diagonal ends of the star. The length of each sword is 54 mm, width is 3 mm.
A ribbon without an order on uniform is worn on a bar 12 mm high, the width of the ribbon is 45 mm. For those awarded for distinction in military operations, the ribbon additionally contains two miniature crossed gilded swords.
A ribbon without an order on civilian clothes is worn in the form of a rosette. The diameter of the socket is 22 mm.
Order of St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle
| A country | Russia |
| Type | Order |
| Establishment date | established 1698 (1699), restored July 1, 1998 |
| First award | September 30, 1998 |
| Last award | year 2014 |
| Awards | 16 |
| Status | awarded |
| Who is it awarded to? | state and public figures and other citizens of the Russian Federation, as well as heads foreign countries |
| Reasons for the award | exceptional merits contributing to the prosperity, greatness and glory of Russia |
| Options | Sign height - 86 mm, width - 60 mm. The order's ribbon is silk, moire, blue, 100 mm wide. |
"For faith and fidelity"
Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called- on this moment the highest order of the Russian Federation, as well as the first Russian order to be established.
History of the order
This order was established in 1698 by Peter I. It is assumed that Peter I, who had just returned from the Great Embassy, wanted to have an order in his state similar to those that he learned about in England. According to church scriptures, Apostle Andrew the First-Called after the resurrection of Jesus Christ was engaged in missionary activity in the territory of future Rus'. But he was captured by the pagans. He was sentenced to crucifixion, just like his Master. But the apostle asked to turn the cross over (in the shape of the letter “X”, St. Andrew’s cross), because he considered himself unworthy to be crucified on the same cross on which Jesus Christ was once crucified. This determined the design of the order.
Count Fyodor Golovin, on March 20, 1699, was the first to be awarded this order, about which he left a certificate from I.-G. Korb, secretary of the Austrian embassy.
In total, before 1797 (the accession of Paul I to the throne), that is, in almost 100 years, 231 people became holders of the Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called. Over two centuries, from 900 to 1100 people received the order.
Under Paul I there was a ban on decorating the order precious stones at your own discretion. On April 5 (16), 1797, Emperor Paul I signed a special decree, which became the first official statute of the imperial order of St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle.
Paul I was the first to bestow orders on clergy. Paul also legalized the awarding of all male infants without exception - the Grand Dukes with the Order of Andrew at baptism, and the princes of the imperial blood - upon reaching adulthood.
Since 1855, the insignia of the order received for military exploits was joined by two crossed golden swords, placed on top of the cross, and on the star in the center.
Since 1732, the capitular church has been St. Andrew's Cathedral in St. Petersburg.
The awarding of the order was canceled in 1917. But it was restored in 1998 by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 757 of July 1, 1998 “On the restoration of the Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called”
Description of the order
The Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called has a badge, a star, an order chain and an order ribbon.
The order is an oblong oblique cross in the shape of the letter "X" made of silver with gilding, covered with blue enamel, with the image of the crucified Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called on it. At the ends of the cross there are golden letters “S”, “A”, “P”, “R” (Sаnctus Аndreas Рtronus Russiae - Saint Andrew, Patron of Russia). The cross lies on the image of a relief double-headed eagle, which holds the lower ends of the cross with its paws; the eagle is also crowned with three crowns. On the reverse side of the badge, on the chest of the eagle, on a white field, the motto of the order is applied in black enamel: “For faith and fidelity.”
The order's ribbon is silk, moire, blue, 100 mm wide.
Silver star, eight-pointed. In the center of the star, in a round medallion covered with red enamel, there is a gilded relief image of a double-headed eagle crowned with three crowns; on the eagle's chest there is an image of the St. Andrew's cross (oblique, covered with blue enamel). At the top along the circumference, on a blue enamel background with gilded edging, is the order’s motto in gold: “For Faith and Loyalty,” below is an image of two crossed laurel branches, covered with green enamel and tied with a gilded ribbon. The star is attached to clothing with a pin.
The order chain consists of 17 alternating links of three types: a gilded image of the State Emblem of the Russian Federation in the form of a double-headed eagle with a round shield on the chest with a rider, made in color; crowned with a crown and framed with military fittings, a cartouche filled with blue enamel, in the center of which is placed the gilded monogram of Peter I; rosette covered with red enamel and separated by gilded stripes in the form of a radiance. A St. Andrew's cross (oblique, covered with blue enamel) passes through the middle of the rosette, between the ends of which the letters “S”, “A”, “P”, “R” are placed. The chain links are connected by rings. The chain is made of silver with gilding and hot enamels.
For those awarded for distinction in military operations, two crossed gilded swords are added to the badge and star of the order.
A ribbon without an order on civilian clothes is worn in the form of a rosette.
Current status
By Decree of the President of the Russian Federation Boris Yeltsin dated July 1, 1998 No. 757, the Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called was restored. Excerpt from the decree:
1. The Order of St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle is the highest state award of the Russian Federation.
2. The Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called is awarded to outstanding state and public figures and other citizens of the Russian Federation for exceptional services contributing to the prosperity, greatness and glory of Russia.
3. The Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called may be awarded for outstanding services to the Russian Federation to the heads and heads of governments of foreign states.
4. The badge of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle is worn on the order chain or on the shoulder ribbon. Wearing the badge of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called on the order chain is allowed on especially solemn occasions. When wearing the badge of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle on the shoulder ribbon, it passes over the right shoulder. The star of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle is located on the left side of the chest, to the left of the orders below the order blocks.
5. Those awarded for distinction in military operations are awarded the badge and star of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle with swords.
6. When wearing the ribbon of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle on the bar, it is located above other order ribbons..
Literature
1. S. R. Serkov. The first orders of Russia // Military-historical magazine. - 1990. - No. 1. - P. 93-95.
2. Khazin A. L. HIGHEST AWARD OF THE FATHERLAND. On the issue of creating a statute for the Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called // Military Historical Journal. - 2008. - No. 12.
3. Order of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called, S. Shishkov, “Awards of Russia. 1698-1917”, T. 1, pp. 33-151
Surprisingly, the sketch of this sign was created by Peter I himself! This highest award Russian Empire was the very first and most prestigious Russian order, which remained so until October revolution 1917. His heavenly patron became Andrew the First-Called. The order is dedicated specifically to this saint, since he was always considered the protector of Rus' and the spreader of Christianity in Great Scythia, part of the territory where modern Russia. The apostle about whom we're talking about, was one of the very first disciples of Christ, which is why he is known as Andrew the First-Called. The order created in his honor is almost the most expensive in the world. Its estimated cost exceeds $5 million.
Description
The Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called was established by Peter I in 1698. This award included a star, cross and ribbon. The first component of it was worn on the left chest above all other regalia. This silver star in the center was decorated with a double-headed eagle, which was crowned with three crowns, and on top was a St. Andrew's cross with a crucifix. Around the circle on a blue background is the motto of the Order “For Faith and Loyalty.”
The award cross was made in the form of a golden double-headed eagle with three crowns, on which, like on the star, the crucifix of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called was superimposed. On back side The motto of the order was written on this sign. This cross was usually worn, like all the highest state awards of the first degrees, on a ribbon at the hip. For this sign, a blue moiré sash approximately 10-12 cm wide was worn, which was worn over the right shoulder.
There were cases when the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called was worn around the neck, hanging it on a gold chain, consisting of a number of double-headed eagles, coats of arms, St. Andrew's crosses and other links made in the form of medallions. All signs, as well as the chain itself, were quite often decorated with a scattering of small diamonds, so after the death of the gentleman, the heirs were obliged to return everything back to the state treasury.
In 1855, according to the decree of Emperor Nicholas I, one addition was made to the design of the star and cross. Thus, when rewarding people for specific military merits, they were awarded the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called with swords depicted crosswise and located under the third upper crown.
Statute
Surprisingly, the official regulations on the Order of St. Andrew were approved by Paul I only in 1797, that is, after almost a hundred years. A star with a cross, decorated with diamonds, became the highest state award, which was presented by the emperor himself at his personal request. The new statute stated that starting from this year, it is prohibited to decorate the Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called with any precious stones at your own discretion.
This insignia was a reward of kings and top officials Russian state. It is worth noting that both the autocrats and their heirs were not required to perform any heroic deeds in order to receive this award. The Grand Dukes were presented with a blue ribbon with an order immediately upon baptism, and the rest of the relatives, in whose veins imperial blood flowed, upon coming of age.
Peculiarities
At that time, the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called literally determined the position of its owner in society, as well as the rank to which he was elevated. This award could only be given to persons with a rank of at least privy councilor, vice admiral or lieutenant general. A person who was awarded the St. Andrew's sign automatically became a holder of the Order of the White Eagle, Alexander Nevsky, as well as the first degrees of Saints Stanislav and Anna. Having received the highest award of the Russian Empire, its owner did not have to wear the attributes of other orders and their ribbons at all.
Few people know, but until the 19th century, all the highest awards were made by hand by various jewelry artists. Even the most famous master in the world, Gustav Faberge, did this. Considering this fact, we can say with confidence that one Order of St. Andrew the First-Called (photos are given above) will certainly differ from the other not only in its picturesque image, but also in the shade of enamel or size. Although the statute of the order described in detail what should be drawn on it, it did not say anything about how it should be done. Such uncertainty gave artists some creative freedom, which sometimes led to deviations from the rules.
First gentleman
It became F.A. Golovin in March 1699. This statesman was an active assistant and like-minded person of Peter I in the matter concerning the creation of both the regular army and the Russian fleet. In addition, Fyodor Alekseevich was a competent diplomat and from 1686 to 1689 served as ambassador to China. His merit was that he was able to sign the Nerchinsk Treaty, which was very beneficial for the Russian Empire, which dealt with the border between the two countries.
6 years after returning to his homeland, he became a participant in two Azov campaigns. During the second of them, he was the commander of the first Russian squadron that fought in the Sea of Azov. In 1697, Golovin returned to his diplomatic activities and, thanks to his rich experience and indefatigable energy, helped Peter I achieve great success during the Great Embassy abroad.
A little later, Fedor Alekseevich became the head of the Ambassadorial, Naval and Yamsky orders, as well as the head of the Golden, Silver and Armory Chambers. Admiral General and Field Marshal Golovin was actually the creator of higher military education in Russia. Therefore, it is not surprising that when, according to the decree of Peter I, the country’s first school of navigation and mathematical sciences was opened in Moscow, it was Fedor Alekseevich who was entrusted to head it. For all of the above merits, he received the highest badge of the Russian Empire - the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called.
Subsequent awards
In February 1700, Peter I personally presented the second highest regalia of the Russian Empire. This time, the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called went to the Ukrainian Hetman Mazepa for military actions against the Crimean Tatars. The next person to receive this honorary badge was Count Sheremetyev, having achieved victory over the Swedes. The emperor himself was sixth on this list.
Number seven was A.D. Menshikov because, together with the tsar and a small detachment of guards during the battle, he boarded a boat and helped board two warships belonging to the Swedes. It is interesting that in that battle Peter I fought with the rank of captain of a company of bombardiers and for his courage Fyodor Golovin awarded him the Order of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called. Menshikov fought as a bombardier lieutenant.
Total number of awards issued
During the entire existence of the Order of St. Andrew, no more than 1 thousand people were awarded it. Peter I himself rarely encouraged his nobles with this sign. During his lifetime, he awarded the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called to only 38 worthy ones, 12 of whom were foreigners. The king's descendants also distributed it rather sparingly. Thus, Catherine I managed to award only 18 people, Peter II - 5, Anna Ioanovna -24, and 18 of them were foreigners, Elizabeth I - 83. The most St. Andrew's Orders were issued by Catherine II - exactly 100. Under her, this highest sign was received many prominent military and government officials. In 1807, even Napoleon was awarded it.
It must be said that the only order star from the era of Peter I that has survived to this day is the sign of Jacob Bruce, the military general who commanded the Russian artillery in the battle of Poltava. Now it is kept in the Moscow Historical Museum.
Recovery
In 1998, the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called was re-established by Decree of the President of Russia No. 757. As before, at the moment this award is the highest state sign of the Russian Federation. It is awarded to outstanding public and government figures, as well as ordinary citizens of the Russian Federation, only for exceptional services to the Motherland, which significantly contributed to the greatness, glory and prosperity of the country. The Order of St. Andrew can reward both foreign leaders and heads of government for special services to Russia.
Knights of the modern St. Andrew's Order
The first person to receive the new award was Academician D. S. Likhachev. He was awarded in 1998 for his outstanding contribution to the development of Russian culture.
The second recipient was Major General M. T. Kalashnikov, who was at that time the chief designer and head of the design bureau at Izhmash JSC. He was given the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called in the same year as the first, for the contribution he made to the defense of his homeland.
The next award was given to the famous dissident and sixties activist A.I. Solzhenitsyn in 1999. His outstanding contribution to the moral and spiritual revival of the country was appreciated by the government of the Russian Federation. But he never wanted to accept it from the hands of then President Boris Yeltsin.
The fourth Order of St. Andrew was awarded to Alexy II (in the world A.M. Ridiger) in 1999 for the same merits as the previous recipient.
And the top five holders of the Order of St. Andrew is completed by the director of the Moscow Research Institute of Transplantology, V. I. Shumakov. This award was presented to him in 2002. His outstanding achievements in the field of medical science and healthcare in general were awarded the highest award of the Russian Federation.
Features of the new order
The author of the sketch of the revived sign was People's Artist of Russia E. I. Ukhnalev. It should be noted that the new Order of St. Andrew the First-Called (its photo can be seen above) looks almost the same as its ancient predecessor. The only difference is that the old one has been replaced state symbols to a new one. Well, in general, when restoring the order, they tried to preserve its historical surroundings.
Place of manufacture
The first four St. Andrew's Orders were made at a center called "Russian Crafts", located in the city of Yaroslavl. But soon the St. Petersburg Mint began producing it. For this, the best Russian craftsmen were involved, because the work on creating the order is done manually and requires very high professional qualifications. In the process of its production, not one jewelry technique is used, but several: casting, gilding, enamel painting, silver nielloing, hand engraving and multi-color enameling.
On March twentieth, one thousand six hundred and ninety-nine, the secretary of the Austrian embassy in Russia, John Georg Korb, wrote in his diary:
"His Royal Majesty established the Cavalry Order of St.
Andrew the Apostle."Desk medal “In memory of the establishment of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. 1698" Medalist Samoilo Yudin. Copper; 64 mm; 112.22 g.
This is the earliest known mention of the first Russian order. Here Korb adds:
“His Royal Majesty granted the boyar Golovin the first holder of this order and gave him a sign of it. That evening the boyar showed this order to the imperial envoy (ambassador of the Austrian sovereign Leopold I, head of the Holy Roman Empire) and told him the contents of the Charter.”
Almost all modern information known to us reliably about the establishment of the Order of St. Andrey and limit themselves to this diary entry.
The first Russian order had as its main element the “sign” itself - a specially shaped cross covered in blue enamel in the form of the letter “X”, on which, according to legend, St. Andrew (St. Andrew's cross), with the image of the figure of the saint himself. This cross was worn on a wide blue ribbon over the right shoulder, and on special occasions - on a gold chain covered with multi-colored enamels on the chest.
The order included a star, originally sewn, with eight rays, with a round central medallion, which also contained an image of the St. Andrew's Cross (replaced under Paul by a double-headed eagle). There was an inscription around the circle - the motto of the order “For Faith and Loyalty”. This inscription commemorates the merits for which the award was given. In the earliest draft of the statute of the Order of St. Andrew, compiled with the direct participation of Peter the Great in 1720, states who and for what this award should be given:
"... as reward and reward to some for loyalty, courage and various services rendered to us and the fatherland, and to others to encourage all noble and heroic virtues; for nothing so much encourages and inflames human curiosity and love of glory as clear signs and visible reward for virtue."
The draft charter contains a special chapter “On Cavaliers”. It talks about what requirements are imposed on candidates for the cavaliers of this order. They must have the title of count or prince, the rank of senator, minister, ambassador “and other high dignities,” or the rank of general or admiral. The order could also be received by governors who “provided useful and faithful services for several years, or at least ten.” In addition, an indispensable condition was that the gentleman had no physical defects, was at least 25 years old, and had the condition necessary to “support the importance of this event.”
Foreigners could also become holders of the order, and the same requirements were imposed on them as on Russian candidates. At the same time, holders of the Order of St. Andrei could have been no more than 12 people, “natural Russian gentlemen”. This condition was carefully observed throughout the reign of Peter. Only in 1719 the number of Russian holders of the order was twelve (their number did not include foreigners in Russian service); in other years there were fewer. Total number the number of holders of the order (Russian and foreign) should not have exceeded twenty-four.
Fyodor Alekseevich Golovin became the first holder of the order. Being one of Peter's closest associates, even among them, extraordinary people, he stood out for his deep intelligence and outstanding military and diplomatic abilities. It was Golovin who concluded the Treaty of Nerchinsk in 1689 - on the border of the Russian state with China. During Peter's first trip abroad, in 1697, he was busy organizing maritime affairs in Russia: he invited foreign officers and craftsmen, purchased the materials necessary for the construction of the fleet, and sent Russian students abroad. Upon returning to his fatherland, in 1698 he became the head of the newly created “Order of Military Naval Affairs.” At the same time, which is somewhat unusual even for the turbulent time of Peter the Great, he was also in charge of the Ambassadorial Prikaz. Golovin died in 1706, having the highest naval rank of admiral general (besides him, in the entire pre-revolutionary history of the state there were only six others who deserved this rank) and the land rank of field marshal general.
The second holder of the order was Hetman I.S. Mazepa, who received it on February 8, 1700 from the hands of Peter himself. After the news of Mazepa’s betrayal, the following action was carried out by order of the angry tsar: on November 9, 1708, as the “Journal” of Peter the Great reports, “... the person (mannequin) of this traitor Mazepa was carried out and, having removed the cavalry (insignia of the order), which that person was dressed with a bow, that person was thrown into the executioner’s hands, which the executioner took and attached to a rope, dragged along the street and across the square even to the gallows and then hanged.” Mazepa managed to escape the well-deserved punishment for betrayal, and the matter was limited to hanging the traitor’s dummy.
The remaining 38 gentlemen of this order, awarded during the reign of Peter (including the Wallachian ruler Constantin Brincoveanu, who received this award secretly for his sympathies towards Russia, who was not even included in the official lists of those awarded), turned out to be more worthy of this distinction. Peter himself was awarded the Order of St. Andrew the seventh, in 1703, for a specific military success - leadership in the capture of two Swedish warships at the mouth of the Neva. The insignia of the order was placed on the Tsar, who had the official military rank of captain of a bombardment company, by the first St. Andrew's Knight, Fyodor Golovin. At the same time, A.D. received the same award for participation in this battle. Menshikov, former bombardier lieutenant.
Subsequently, until the reign of Paul I, holders of the Order of St. Andrey became 231 more people. Among them are such outstanding domestic commanders, like P.A. Rumyantsev, A.V. Suvorov, statesmen F.M. Apraksin, G.A. Potemkin.
Emperor Paul I, on the day of his coronation, April 5, 1797, signed a special Establishment, which is the first officially approved statute of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. Among other specific provisions relating to order affairs, it was given detailed description a special order costume for St. Andrew's Knights, in which they had to appear at court on the day of the order's holiday, November 30, and on other days specified by the emperor himself: a long green velvet epancha, decorated with silver cords and tassels, with a star of the order sewn on the left side in size “more ordinary”, a white super vest with gold braid and fringe and a cross sewn on the chest, a black velvet hat with a white and red plume and a St. Andrew’s cross made of a narrow blue ribbon. Naturally, the gentleman on the solemn day had to appear with the sign of the Order of St. Andrew's is not on a shoulder strap, but on a gold chain with enamel.
Starting from Pavlov’s time, gentlemen were forbidden to arbitrarily decorate their badges with precious stones, and a cross with a star, showered with diamonds (diamonds), became, as it were, a special, highest level of the order, bestowed solely at the personal discretion of the emperor. Paul began to bestow orders, including those of St. Andrew the First-Called, on persons of clergy rank. The first such Knight of St. Andrew became in November 1796, Metropolitan Gabriel of Novgorod and St. Petersburg. Paul also legalized the awarding of all male infants without exception - the Grand Dukes - with the Order of Andrew at baptism, and the princes of the imperial blood - upon reaching adulthood.
The twelve eldest in time to be awarded the Order of St. Andrei cavaliers received commanderies associated with additional income: three commanderies of 1000 serfs each, four - 800 souls, five - 700 souls. In each of these three groups, one command was given to a clergyman assigned to this order. These awards were for life and after the death of the gentleman passed to the next most senior holder of the award.
Under Alexander I, the St. Andrew's Knights, when awarded the order, began to contribute 800 rubles to the order's cash desk. During this period, which became one of the most glorious pages national history Thanks to the nationwide feat in 1812, the number of awards issued, especially for military merits, increased sharply.
The period of the Napoleonic wars dates back to the case of awarding the Order of St. Andrew of the French Emperor. In 1807, it was awarded to Napoleon I. On the occasion of the ratification of the Peace of Tilsit between Russia and France (as well as France and Prussia), the signs of the highest Russian order were received by the French emperor, his brother Jerome, marshals Berthier and Murat, as well as the famous master of diplomatic intrigue, Napoleonic minister Foreign Affairs, Prince Talleyrand. In 1815, foreigners who had the Order of St. Andrew, whose number was quite significant, was added by the famous English commander Duke of Wellington.
From 1801 to 1916 there were about 600 awards. During this time, changes occurred in the appearance of the order's insignia. From about the time Patriotic War In 1812, silver stars appeared. By the middle of the 19th century, metal stars completely replaced fabric ones.
Star of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. Star of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. Unknown workshop, Russia, first third of the 19th century. Silver, enamel. Size 80x79 mm. On the reverse side there are wire ears at the ends of the rays for sewing onto the uniform. This star represents the earliest type of “forged” star, which gentlemen, according to the fashion of that time, ordered from private workshops to replace the “sewn” one received from the Chapter of the Imperial Orders. Stars of this type with an eagle with its wings down in the center are known in single copies.
Until 1855, the insignia of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called for military merit were no different in appearance from the badges for civilian merit. Later, crossed swords were added to the battle award.
After February Revolution The Provisional Government, leaving the reward system of the empire essentially the same, made only some “cosmetic” changes to appearance orders in accordance with the spirit of the republican system, removing some monarchical symbols. On the Order of St. Andrei from the cross, it was decided to remove the crowns, and replace the royal eagle in the central round medallion with a new, Republican eagle, without crowns, according to a sketch made by the famous artist I. Bilibin. But there were no awards for the highest Russian order in 1917, and we do not know St. Andrew’s signs of this type, even trial ones.
Insignia of the highest order became part of military symbolism in pre-revolutionary Russia. St. Andrew's star was a kind of symbol of the guard in military paraphernalia and adorned guards' headdresses, as well as lyadunki - bags for cartridges, super vests for the cavalry guards of the heavy guards cavalry, and even saddle cloths - cloth bedding for the saddle.
At the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries, many regiments of the Russian army celebrated their anniversaries - 100, 150 or more years, the so-called “seniority” of units. On this occasion, almost all anniversary regiments established their own regimental insignia - a kind of corporate distinction worn by all ranks of the regiment on their uniform. The design of the regimental badge was approved by the Tsar himself or the Minister of War and, as a rule, included images and inscriptions reminiscent of the heroic pages of the history of the unit.
Regimental insignia of more than ten guards units included the image of St. Andrew's star and ribbon as an element, and three guards infantry regiment They made the St. Andrew's Cross the basis of their signs. At the same time, the oldest regiment of the Russian army - Preobrazhensky - established its regimental badge based on a sketch of the St. Andrew's Cross, personally made by Peter in his time.
Order of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called. Firm "Eduard", 1903-1908, 90.9x60 mm, weight 72.6 g, gold, enamel.
Order of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called. St. Petersburg, Albert Keibel’s workshop, 1882–1899, 62x87 mm. Gold, enamel, mount.
Dress badge of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. Unknown workshop, Russia, late XIX- beginning of the 20th century Unsampled gold, enamel. Size 18x14 mm.
A set of badges of the Russian Imperial and Royal Orders of one-time issue, awarded to the holder of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called:
1) Set of insignia of the Order of St. Stanislaus, 1st degree. a) Badge of the Order of St. Stanislaus, 1st degree. Albert Keibel firm, St. Petersburg, 1899-1904. Gold, enamel. Weight, 27.35 g. Size 62x67 mm. b) Star of the Order of St. Stanislaus. Firm "Keibel", St. Petersburg, 1870-1880s. Silver, enamel, gilding. Weight, 50.50 g. Size 88x89 mm. c) Ribbon of the Order of St. Stanislaus, 1st degree. Unknown workshop, Russia, late 19th century. Moire.
2) Set of insignia of the Order of St. Anne, 1st degree. a) Badge of the Order of St. Anne, 1st degree. Albert Keibel's company, St. Petersburg, before 1899. Gold, enamel. Weight, 22.25 g. Size 56x51 mm. b) Star of the Order of St. Anne. Firm "Keibel", St. Petersburg, 1870-1880s. Silver, enamel, gilding. Weight, 51.70 g. Size 91x90 mm. c) Ribbon of the Order of St. Anne, 1st degree. Unknown workshop, Russia, late 19th century. Moire.
3) Set of insignia of the Order of the White Eagle. a) Badge of the Order of the White Eagle. Albert Keibel's company, St. Petersburg, before 1899. Gold, enamel. Weight, 86.56 g. Size 91x62 mm. b) Star of the Order of the White Eagle. Firm "Keibel", St. Petersburg, 1899-1904. Silver, enamel, gilding. Weight, 52.06 g. Size 91x91 mm. c) Ribbon of the Order of the White Eagle. Unknown workshop, Russia, late 19th century. Moire.
4) Set of insignia of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky. a) Badge of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky. Albert Keibel firm, St. Petersburg, 1899-1904. Gold, enamel. Weight, 32.88 g. Size 62x56 mm. b) Star of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky. Firm "Keibel", St. Petersburg, 1870-1880s. Silver, enamel, gilding. Weight, 49.30 g. Size 92x92 mm. c) Ribbon of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky. Unknown workshop, Russia, late 19th century. Moire.
5) Case for a set of insignia of Orders, awarded to the recipient immediately with the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. Unknown workshop, Russia, late 19th century. Wood, leather, cardboard, velvet, silk, bronze. Size 383x285x36 mm. On the top cover there is a state eagle and the inscription in “gold”: “Insignia of the Order of St. Stanislav St. Anna Belago Eagle of St. Alexander Nevsky.”
According to the code of laws for the establishment of orders, edition of 1876: “...Granted by the Order of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called, even if he had not previously had other Russian orders, with this single award he should be equally honored as a knight of the four junior Russian orders: St. Alexander Nevsky, Belago Orel, St. Anna of the first degree and St. Stanislav of the first degree, whose signs are forwarded to him along with the signs of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called...” Such sets were awarded only to Russian Grand Dukes and foreign gentlemen. Due to the small number of awards, such sets are extremely rare.
The authors of the regimental badge copied both sides of it, and the Preobrazhensky emblem became the only one among hundreds of Russian regimental badges that had images and inscriptions on the reverse side. This will seem completely meaningless (after all, regimental insignia should have been worn tightly screwed to the uniform), if you do not understand the artist’s desire to accurately copy the drawing of the cross once made by Peter himself.
Not only in the Guard, regimental insignia included images of elements of the St. Andrew's Award. A dozen army infantry regiments placed the St. Andrew's star and ribbon on their badge, and the 11th Pskov Infantry and the 13th Vladimir Uhlan made the St. Andrew's Cross the basis of their badge.
The highest state award in Russia is the Order of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called. An order with this name existed in Tsarist Russia. After Soviet Union ceased to exist, the sign was restored in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 757 of July 1, 1998.
Story
By the time of its establishment, this order became the first in Tsarist Russia. It was founded by Peter I in 1698. For 16 years he remained the only one. Only in 1714 did the second Russian order appear - St. Catherine. They were awarded the Order of St. A. First-Called Person at the behest of the sovereign.
After the collapse of the USSR, the Russian Federation began to form its own award system. Soviet awards have lost their relevance. Only a few of them were left, and then with changes. Many royal orders and medals returned, including the Order of St. A. the First-Called.
Who is awarded
Outstanding state and public figures of the Russian Federation who have great merits who contributed to the prosperity and glory of our country can become holders of the order. The award can be given to leaders of foreign states who have performed significant services to the Russian Federation.
The order should be worn on a special order chain or on a cross-shoulder ribbon. A cross with a chain is worn in the most solemn situations. The intershoulder ribbon is thrown over the right shoulder. The star of the order is pinned on the left. Her place is to the left of the other orders, under the order blocks.
If a person has been awarded for military exploits, he receives a badge and a star with swords. All attributes of the order are almost identical to the pre-revolutionary ones. The main difference is that Cavaliers do not receive annual pensions.
Appearance of the insignia of the order
The award consists of four parts. These are the sign, star, chain and ribbon. The sign is made in the form of a silver cross in the form of the letter “X”. Bright blue enamel is applied to its surface. On the cross is the crucified St. A. the First-Called. There is a gilded letter at each end of the cross. These are “S”, “A”, “P”, “R”, which are an abbreviation - Sanctus Andreas Patronus Russiae. Translated from Latin, this means Saint Andrew, Patron of Russia.
The cross is in front of a gilded 2-headed eagle. There are 3 crowns on the birds' heads. In the claws are the 2 lower rays of the cross. On the back, on the eagle chest, on a white enamel belt there are black letters. This is the motto of the order: “For faith and fidelity.” The sign is attached to a bright blue ribbon. For this purpose, the central, large crown has a special eyelet. The dimensions of the sign are 8.6×6.0 cm. The flight width is 10 cm.
The star is also minted from silver. It has 8 rays, in the middle there is a round medallion on which scarlet enamel is applied. On it there is a gilded 2-headed eagle, on the heads of which there are 3 crowns. On the bird's chest there is a cross in the shape of the letter "X", the rays of which are coated with bright blue enamel. Along the edge of the medallion is a bright blue enamel belt edged with gold. On it are written in gold letters the words: “For faith and fidelity.”
At the bottom of the belt there are 2 crossed laurel branches. They are covered with green enamel and tied with a gilded ribbon. The opposite rays of the star are located at a distance of 8.2 cm from each other. The star is attached to clothing with a pin.
There are 17 silver links in the order's chain. There are 3 types of them, and they alternate among themselves. On the 1st view there is the coat of arms of the Russian Federation - a 2-headed eagle. On his chest is a round red shield with a colored image of a mounted warrior. There are seven such links. The 2nd view shows a blue enamel shield. It has the gilded monogram of Peter I. There are four such links. The 3rd type consists of red enamel rosettes, on which gilded stripes are applied, similar to radiance. St. Andrew's cross is placed on the rosettes. There are six such links.
In the case when a person is awarded an award for military exploits, 2 crossed gilded swords are added to the cross and star. On the cross the dimensions of each sword are 4.7 × 0.3 cm, on the star - 5.4 × 0.3 cm.
You can wear the ribbon without signs. On uniforms it is attached to a bar 1.2 cm high, on civilian clothes - in the form of a rosette with a diameter of 2.2 cm.
Awardees
The first recipient of the award was D.S. Likhachev, full member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Award decree No. 1163 was signed on September 30, 1998. Literally a week later, the famous Russian gunsmith M.T. was awarded. Kalashnikov. The third holder of the order (October 11, 1998) was the President of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev.
At the same time as Nursultan Abishevich he was awarded famous writer A. Solzhenitsyn. However, the latter refused to accept the order, citing the fact that he would not be able to accept awards from the authorities, whose actions brought the country to the verge of destruction.
A total of 16 awards were held. Among the holders of the order are very famous personalities- 5 writers, four scientists, two singers, three presidents, one clergyman and one military man. Two gentlemen are Heroes of the Russian Federation. Only S. Shoigu has an order with swords.
I.K. Arkhipova
The remarkable opera singer Irina Arkhipova was born in 1925. She entered the Gnesin school and first studied piano with O. Golubeva. Then O. Gnesina became her teacher. At the same time, she was a member of the school choir.
After the Second World War, she entered the architectural institute in Moscow. At the same time, I studied vocals in a group. After graduating from university, in 1948 she entered the conservatory in Moscow. Her teacher was L. Savransky. Arkhipova completed her studies in 1953, after which she became a soloist of the Sverdlovsk opera house. After 2 years, she went to work at the Bolshoi Theater.
She received love and recognition from audiences all over the world by singing Carmen in Bizet's opera. In addition to working at the Bolshoi, she was involved in concert activities. She performed works by the best Russian and foreign composers. She often sang romances. She performed a lot abroad.
In 1974 she became a teacher at the Moscow Conservatory. She remained in this position until 2003. Since 1966, she has almost always headed the jury of the International Competition. Tchaikovsky in the category “solo singing”. She was a jury member of many famous international vocal competitions.
She became a Knight of the Order of A. the First-Called on January 2, 2005. She died at the beginning of 2010. Her grave is at the Novodevichy cemetery.
D.S. Likhachev
The first holder of the order, D. Likhachev, who was called the “conscience of the nation,” was born in 1906 into a family of Old Believers. He studied at a gymnasium, a real school, and then a labor school. Entered the faculty of Leningrad State University social sciences. At the beginning of the 28th he was arrested. The basis is membership in the student circle “Space Academy of Sciences”. Immediately before his arrest, he gave a presentation on Russian spelling.
He received a 5-year sentence for counter-revolutionary activities and served it in Solovki. During his stay at SLON he wrote his first scientific work. At the end of the 31st he was transferred to the construction of the White Sea-Baltic Canal. He was released in 1932; in 1936, his conviction was cleared. Before the Second World War he worked at the Pushkin House of the Academy of Sciences. In 1941 he became a candidate of sciences, in 1947 he became a doctor.
In 1953 he became a laureate of the Stalin Prize, in 1953 he became a corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences. In 1967 he was elected honorary doctor of Oxford. In 1970 he became an academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences. In 1986 he turned 80 years old. In this regard, Likhachev was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor.
In 1989 he became a people's deputy of the USSR. He died in the fall of 1999. The grave is located in the cemetery in Komarovo. I was never a member of the CPSU, and I was also anti-Soviet. He made a huge contribution to the study of ancient Russian literature.
S.V. Mikhalkov
The Order of A. the First-Called was awarded to the famous fabulist on March 13, 2008. Sergei Vladimirovich was born in 1913. He began writing and publishing poetry quite early. In 1935 the famous “Uncle Styopa” was released. Stalin really liked one of his poems, “Svetlana”. This changed the life of the young poet; he joined the Writers' Union and soon became one of the most famous writers in the country.
During World War II he worked as a war correspondent. He wrote several plays, and films were based on his scripts (in particular, the popular “Three Plus Two”). Until 1943, the national anthem was “Internationale”. The decision was made to replace him. The author of the words of the new anthem was Mikhalkov (together with El-Registan). In 2000, he wrote the words to the Russian anthem.
Hero of Socialist Labor. Winner of Lenin and several Stalin prizes. Since 1967 - Honored Artist of the RSFSR. For a long time headed the Writers' Union of the RSFSR. He died on August 27, 2009 from pulmonary edema at the age of 96 years. He had three children - a daughter and two sons, Andrei and Nikita. Both became famous film directors.