ORDER OF ALEXANDER NEVSKY

In the summer of 1724 took place on transfer of the relics of prince Alexander Nevsky of Vladimir in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg. Then Peter and I had intended to establish the order in honor of the saint "heavenly predstatelya for neva land" Alexander Nevsky, the patron saint of the city for ever. Russia′s new medal was designed "in the awarding of feats" in the fields of battle, that is, from the very beginning he conceived as a military award. Peter I myself was engaged in development projects of the Order of: during the preparations for the Persian campaign, he approved the main provisions of the Order of the statute, and soon the goldsmiths began to produce the first samples of the new order.

However, the Russian tsar as anyone and did not have time to award the Order of Alexander Nevsky. New insignia (scarlet star with the motto "For the works and the Fatherland" and a silver ribbon) was granted in May 1725 - the day of the wedding of Anna Petrovna of Schleswig-Holstein Duke Karl Friedrich. Then the Empress Catherine I laid the signs of the Order of Alexander Nevsky at the groom and the wedding day chevaliers of the Order were 18 people, with people not only military but also civilian. Among the recipients were guests and 4 - the courtiers of the Duke of Holstein, who arrived with him at the wedding ceremony. Thus, the intention of Peter I to establish a purely military awards are not fulfilled, and the Order of Alexander Nevsky was among Russian awards, which were given, and of Civil Merit. Its statute was written: "In the award of works for their country lift.

The first award the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky were carried out as a sign of royal favor, but its value has increased only 30 August (the day of Saint Alexander Nevsky) of the same in 1725, when Catherine I entrusted myself insignia. Since then, Russia′s rulers, if not received the Order of Alexander Nevsky earlier, pinned it on himself in the coronation day, along with the signs of the Order of St. Andrew.

On this day, Russia′s award was given to 21 others, among them were foreign rulers - the Polish King August II and the Danish King Frederick IV. Been awarded three Duke, is related to the imperial house of Russia, as well as Russia′s Chancellor - Count GI Golovkin, Field-Marshal AD Menshikov, MM Golitsyn, AI Repnin, head of the entire Russian artillery YV Bruce and other senior military and civilian officials. Since that time, and firmly established that the Order of Alexander Nevsky is given only to the nobles and high state officials - those with a rank not lower than Lieutenant-General or the corresponding civilian rank of Privy Councilor.

Order of Alexander Nevsky in the degree and classes are not divided.

Photo — «Order Of Alexander Nevsky»

In appearance he is very handsome: his gold cross on both sides of curtain red enamel, but this color approved only in 1816. And before that insignia decorated finishing of "ruby" glass. Between the ends of the cross, under the imperial crown, placed the golden double-headed eagle with outstretched wings, in a medallion in the middle of the cross - the image of St. Alexander Nevsky in the red-blue robe, sitting on a white horse.

On the reverse side of the cross, a crown prince, carved monogram of the two Latin letters denoting "Saint Alexander". To distinguish the Order is awarded for military exploits, from the orders of Civil Merit in 1855 for the insignia - a cross and a star - began to join two crossed swords going through their middle. Ribbon star made of silver: in its center was the same monogram of Latin letters, as on the cross. Around him on the red field was cut Orden motto - "In the Works and Fatherland. Cross was worn on a ribbon at the hip only in very special occasions. Usually, however, it was worn under the uniform or civilian coat on the neck - on a narrower tape. Insignia are not allowed to decorate with precious stones. Star and Cross of the Order of Alexander Nevsky with diamonds or diamonds were particularly affected awards, who complained only of personal assent of the emperor.

On the day of the festival of the Order - August 30 - or on other days, when he was commanded to be "Knights of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky were to appear in a red velvet epanche lined with white taffeta with silver brocade kragenom1. Under the cloaks worn white supervest with gold braid, in the center of which represented a direct cross. Costume complement black hat with a white and a red pen and a cross embroidered on the side of a narrow red ribbon.

This award was very proud of AV Suvorov, who received it in December 1771 for the "destroyed by the troops of the Lithuanian hetman, Count Oginsky.

In 1791, for a brilliant victory at Cape Kaliakra (north-east of the Bulgarian city of Varna), Order of Alexander Nevsky was awarded the Russian admiral, FF Ushakov. After the fall of Ishmael between Turkey and Russia began negotiations for peace, but the Turks delayed signing a peace treaty. They were still quite strong fleet, and to help its Black Sea warships they always threw the ships of the Mediterranean squadrons.

Turkish fleet commanded kapudan Pasha Gander, and to help him to the Turkish sultan summoned squadron Algerian Said-Ali Pasha - an experienced naval commander, won many victories over European admirals. Said Pasha, departing from Istanbul, Turkish pasha promised to "bring Usak Pasha with a rope around his neck. "

Squadron FF Ushakova in search of the enemy ran along the western shores of the Black Sea, and at Cape Kaliakra Russian suddenly found the Turkish fleet, consisting of 78 ships.

Photo — «Order Of Alexander Nevsky»

They stood on the shore under the protection of several batteries, in addition, the wind blew from the shore, so that the Turks have been favorable and the windward position. Kapudan Pasha Gander and Said-Ali Pasha was considered a fighting position is absolutely unassailable, because he could attack them unless madman.

But Admiral FF Ushakov was "insane" and a seemingly impregnable position of the Turks managed to find a flaw. He immediately decided to attack the enemy until he got ready for battle. Applying a new tactic - attack in marching order, Russian admiral took the windward position, which did not expect both Pasha. And in the last day of July 1791 34 Russian vehicle crushed the Turkish navy.

Russian Emperor Paul I established the "commandery" Order of St. Alexander Nevsky, when senior at the time of its receipt of the gentlemen began to use income from the villages assigned to the Order. The six most senior knights of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky had the right to receive income from $ 600 serfs everyone, regardless of the number of their own serfs, the following eight gentlemen to enjoy the benefit of 500 farmers working and so on.

After the death of the awarded his family had to return all the insignia of the Order of the Chancellor, who was in charge of all affairs of the Order under the auspices of the emperor himself.

In the reign of Paul I established a special commission of 6 Knights, who oversaw "a haven for the poor", wheel houses and schools were under the tutelage of the Order. Funds for the maintenance of these institutions consists of contributions to 200 rubles, which he had made in the Order′s coffers each awarded. In St. Petersburg in the Order had its cathedral church of the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Monastery, where the remains of Grand Duke.

Since the reign of Alexander I to charity has received half of the revenue from land intended to "commandery" elder gentlemen. In this one-time emperor amount of contributions when awarding the Order of Alexander Nevsky had increased to 600 rubles. Increased and qualification of ranks and titles that have already had to have to qualify for the award the Order of Alexander Nevsky.

During the military campaign of 1806-1807 years, when the Russian army took part in the war against Napoleon, the high award was a close associate of AV Suvorova - Ataman of the Don Cossack Army MI Platov. In the battle of Eylau Cossack Corps was in the thick of battle, and the Don Cossacks overturned flower of the French cavalry - Horse Guards Napoleon. In another battle of the Cossacks dashing attack knocked out of the city Gutshtadta French troops of Marshal M. Ney, then the Cossack regiments, MI Platov heavily battered Polish Corps under General Zayonchek, who has served in the French army.

Photo — «Order Of Alexander Nevsky»

Got it from them and the troops of Marshal LN Davoust, lost in one battle a whole regiment.

During the Battle of Borodino a cavalry general, MI Platov made a successful raid into the enemy′s rear, so in the Patriotic War of 1812, he earned the diamond marks the Order of Alexander Nevsky. They were the highest degree of the Order′s awards and were given very rarely.

It should be noted that in the first quarter of the XIX century, most glorious and vivid presentation of medals are precisely those that relate to the exploits in the war of 1812. Then holders of the Order of Alexander Nevsky became generals NN Rajewski, PP Konovnitsyn and AI Ostermann-Tolstoi. Several people who had the simple insignia, were more and diamond. Among them, besides the aforementioned, MI Platov - Generals FP Uvarov, MA Miloradovitch and DS Dokhturov. By the beginning of XX century the Order of Alexander Nevsky is the traditional reward for the award of public men, who a few decades of his life dedicated to serving the Fatherland.

Of all Russian orders only the name of the Order of Alexander Nevsky after the October Revolution was postponed to one of the highest Soviet awards. Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of July 29, 1942 was established the Order of Alexander Nevsky, which has one degree. The Order was a red five-pointed star convex, which is located on the background of the correct decagonal plate consisting of divergent curved beams. In the center of a circular shield framed by laurel branches, left and right because of the shield were two Berdyshev, it was placed in the middle of a relief image of Alexander Nevsky, and below could see the crossed swords, spears, bow and arrows. Below that was a small shaped shield with the hammer and sickle.

Order of Alexander Nevsky were awarded the officers and generals of the Red Army - from platoon leader to division commander - in personal bravery, courage, bravery and skillful command of military units or parts which ensured the success of the battle.

The first holders of the Order of Alexander Nevsky were members of the Stalingrad battle - a senior lieutenant IN Ruban (battalion commander, Marine Corps) and Captain SP Tsybulin (separate rifle battalion commander, 62-Army).

In early August 1942 between the Volga and Don battalion IN Ruban covered the retreat of the main forces brigade. Skillfully placing their forces, IN Ruban trapped and destroyed 7 tanks and more than 200 enemy soldiers and officers.

Among more than 1,480 military units who were awarded the Order of Alexander Nevsky, and was 1 st Independent Fighter Aviation Regiment Normandie-Niemen ".