Order of St. Andrew - one of the main symbols of the Russian state.Moreover, he is the first one established in our country honors, he is a long time - until 1917 - took the highest step in the hierarchy of state orders and medals.In 1998, this status by decree of Boris Yeltsin it was returned.
Order of St. Andrew was created in a very difficult time for the country: there was an active preparation for the Great Northern War, Russia is ready to become flush with the mighty European powers.The first order of the Russian state was to symbolize the country's prestige, her right to respect from other states.It is no accident the patron of the award, was elected one of the closest disciples of Peter - Andrew, who played at one time a huge role in the formation of Kievan Rus.
draft statute that describes the Order of St. Andrew, including preparing and active efforts of Peter I. According to one version it was he who proposed that the symbol of this award two crossed white lines on a blue field, and the Order is awarded to those who had"great service to the Fatherland."The decree on the establishment of the Order of the future emperor was signed at the end of March 1699.
Knights' first band, which was fortified by the Order of St. Andrew, try on Admiral FA Golovin, but the second came a knight of the problem: they became notorious chieftain Mazepa, who soon surrendered to Charles XII, would not onlyIt was anathema, but lost the highest Russian award.Peter himself, incidentally, became only the sixth holder of this high order.
Knights of the Order of St. Andrew received insignia, which was a silver cross, hoisted on a background of golden double-headed eagle and eight-pointed star.This itself was a sign painted in blue and had in the center of the image of St. Andrew.Order had to be worn on a blue ribbon, elegantly slung over his right shoulder, and the left breast was ukraschat eight-pointed star.
Subsequently circle of applicants for this award was limited to the elite of the highest state and very rewarding to give them the right person for the title of lieutenant-general.In addition, a tradition presents the Order of St. Andrew at birth of the imperial family.
At the same time Russian owners of this award could be no more than twelve people.Total at the time of the February Revolution, the Order of St. Andrew was awarded, according to various estimates, from 900 to 1,100 people, including such famous people as Alexander Suvorov, G. Potemkin, Rumyantsev, Napoleon.The last owner of the award in Tsarist Russia was a representative of the royal family, Prince Roman Petrovich.
In modern Russian Order of St. Andrew once again take its rightful place as the country's main award in 1998.His appearance was created by Save the sketch, so it completely copies the award, which was until 1917.The first award was given to the famous academician Dmitry Likhachev.Subsequently, they were awarded with another 12 people, including Mr. Nazarbayev, Kalashnikov, Solzhenitsyn, Alexiy II, S. Mikhalkov.
