ORDER OF SAINT CATHERINE

The campaign in 1711 against Turkey was not good for Peter I. Then the 38 thousandth Russian army, was encamped on the Prut River, surrounded by the Turkish army, nearly five times more than its largest. Russian soldiers were suffering from serious shortages of food, safe drinking water and fodder, they faced captivity.

Sam Peter I could also become a prisoner of the Turkish sultan, but he saved skillful diplomatic negotiations, and jewelry of Catherine, which she donated to the "gift" to the Turkish Chief Bataldzhi Pasha. However, the Russian researcher award system PS Kadantsev questioned in this romantic version: he believes that all the king′s jewels, and so could become a war trophy of the Turks, if they captured the Russian court. In addition, on the eve of negotiations Russian gave so strong rebuff janissaries that the next day, the Turks refused to go to attack the camp of Peter I. Honorary surrender saved Peter I and the Russian soldiers from captivity, and the greedy Vizier after some time paid head.

In establishing the Order of St. Catherine′s important role played by the personality itself is really the queen, who bravely shared with the Russian soldiers all the hardships and dangers of this campaign. Installing a new award, Peter I would like to thank my wife, and besides, according to some researchers, to strengthen the authority of the Queen, which then was a lot of gossip.

The statute stated that the order "is established in honor of the noble and St. Catherine, whose name in Greek is translated as" always clean ".

According to legend, Catherine was living in Alexandria and was from a noble princely family. She was known for his erudition, won the dispute 50 pagan philosophers, and expressed its condemnation of the persecution of Christians under Emperor Diocletian. For refusing to renounce Christianity in the First Lady 307, by order of Emperor Maximian was subjected to the wheel and beheaded by the sword.

But even before the martyrdom of her was a wonderful vision: Jesus Christ himself called her his bride as a token of betrothal, and gave her a precious ring. Seeing the suffering of St. Catherine, shaken by her courage during the execution, converted to Christianity Queen Augusta, the wife of the emperor Maximian, and another 200 soldiers. According to legend, the angel moved the body of St. Catherine at Mount Sinai, where she was buried.

At this point in 527, the Byzantine emperor Justinian built a Sinai monastery of St. Catherine. After the Crusades, the cult of St. Catherine has penetrated into Western Europe, where she was regarded as the patroness of philosophers and all the students of youth (including the Sorbonne), as well as wheelwright.

Constituted in Russia Order of St. Catherine was to be made "from the ladies honest and God-fearing, married and unmarried. " At the Order′s charter in 1714 awarded the ladies were supposed to "liberate one from the enslavement of the Christian barbarian, buying it for their own money. "

Order of St. Catherine, had two degrees - the Grand Cross and Kavalerstvennogo (smaller). In his appearance insignia of the two degrees only remotely resembled crosses, and from each other differed only in size. Badge of the Order was a large oval medallion with the image of St. Catherine, which in the left hand holds a palm branch - a symbol of the Christian martyrs. Under the left hand shows the wheel - an instrument of torture, an indispensable attribute that accompanies the image of St. Catherine of Alexandria. In the right hand holds the cross of St. Catherine, which is placed between the ends of letters "DSFR" - an abbreviated start the 19 th Psalm: "Lord, save the Emperor. "

On the reverse side of the insignia depicting an eagle two, exterminating snakes at the foot of the destroyed towers. On the tower is a nest with chicks, and above him Latin explanatory text: "Labor is compared with the spouse. "

Initially it was assumed that the order would include "a dominant person - Ms. Grand Cross of the Order of the ladies," which became the queen herself. "The Lady of the Order" had a right to bestow this award, as well as to deprive it of its sole discretion, all but the princesses royal blood: they could deprive the awards only king.

Kavalerstvennym ladies supposed to wear insignia on the left side with the heart "- in a bow of white ribbon on which was embroidered with gold, the motto of the Order:" For love and Fatherland.

In Peter′s day came and Ribbon Star, which was at first arbitrary shape, then became an eight. People made it out of silver, and usually decorated with diamonds and diamonds, and in its center was placed a red enamel medallion depicting semi-circles, the cross and the motto of the Order. Stars on the left side of the chest can only be ladies Grand Cross, with the insignia was attached to a belt worn over the left shoulder.

Order of St. Catherine awarded exclusively ladies for services rendered to the State, either by birth belonged to the imperial family.

Photo — «Order Of Saint Catherine»

According to "the establishment of the Russian Order of Emperor Paul I, all the great princess received the insignia of the Order of St. Catherine, the Holy Baptism, and the princess of the imperial household - when they reach adulthood. Except as specifically Grand Cross of the royal blood could have only 12 women from the nearest surroundings of the Empress, and the youngest - 94 kavalerstvennye ladies, including foreign.

Memorial Day St. Catherine became the Order and the day of the holiday: it was then, after a solemn service in the presence of the court, received the insignia Catherine I - from the hands of Peter I. Before the death of the great reformer of Russia it was the only winner of this award. Having gained the throne in 1725, Catherine I issued the Order of St. Catherine and the other ladies of Russia Empire, and the first of the awards were awarded the daughter of Peter I - Anna and Elizabeth.

However, when awarding the Order of St. Catherine occurred and funny stories. Thus, in 1727, ladies of the Order was awarded the 13-year-old son "His Serene Highness Prince ′AD Menshikov. According to one version, Catherine I beat courtiers nickname of the young prince ( "girl") and awarded him for his extraordinarily sensitive and shy "woman′s" character.

On the day of the festival of the Order, as well as a day of general celebration of all Russian orders, the ladies of the Order of St. Catherine, to participate in the festivities wearing ceremonial dress of silver brocade (especially silk). It was fobbed off with green velvet, gold braid, and had gold laces and brush. By the front door along relied green velvet hat, adorned with a diamond half-circle and green and red feathers. Toilet completed the green velvet ribbon cable, and the empress, but all listed, put more green velvet epanchu1 lined with ermine.

During the entire existence of the Order of St. Catherine, his marks were given 724 times. He was always a reward for the ladies of the aristocratic circle, and it rarely bestowed simply outstanding women. Among the latter was Princess ER Dashkova - a remarkable woman and educated man of his time, the outstanding figure of Russian culture, the first female director of the Russia Academy of Sciences. However, their reward is not received for these services, but for participation in the coup in 1762, which came to power Catherine II.

In the reign of the Russian Empress Women′s Order of St. Catherine was once awarded for military merit. In May 1789 the Baltic Fleet cutter "Mercury" under the command of Lieutenant-Captain RV Crone attacked the Swedish frigate "Venus" and forced him to surrender. Brave woman commander - AS Crown - was in this battle as a nurse, and Catherine II, commending the military valor of the brave woman, complained to her the Order of St. Catherine.

On the rank and RANKS

In Russia the social position of man from time immemorial was determined by its proximity to the supreme power and the attention which that person by the authorities enjoyed. Expressing favor his subordinate, the governor bestowed his rank. In the period of Kievan Rus upper class is divided into two different in their origin and status of discharge - the terrorists and the boyars (the prince and land). The origin of the word "lord" different scientists interpret differently. NM Karamzin deduced it from the word "fight (howl): lord - warrior. II Sreznevsky, Russian-Slavic philologist and ethnographer, conceded that it could happen from the word "boly" (large), a Russian historian VN Tatishchev assumed that Boyar (rule of the boyar) derived from the word "sick" - in the sense of "think".

Candidate of Philology EI Kucherenko raises version that approximate the Russian princes were some of the Turkic titles. It was from the Khazars, the conquered Russian princes, came to us such titles as "lord", "Oleg (ulug) -" the first great "and some others. Khazar rulers have been close" nobles ", who were divided into" balyshchi "(noble family of the ruler) and malamyr" (rich, but not noble). Hence, in Russia′s hierarchy, and there were great and lesser nobles.

As the highest ruling class, the Grand Duke′s service was born and nobility. In 1795, the legal, social and political status of the nobility was issued "Letters Patent of nobility, but since the second half of XVIII century, began to appear on his work history. One of the first presentation was made by Russian scientist, educator NI Novikov, who published an essay by an unknown author "Reading ancient Russian officials and the civil court with explanations of each.

The term "gentleman" meant the people who lived in the princely court. But directly in the court of all the people necessary for the sovereign′s service, could not accommodate, and subsequently the main mass is moved to the position of provincial landowners. If withdrawal from the prince′s service, they lost their estates.

Photo — «Order Of Saint Catherine»

In contrast to the nobles nobles and knights ruled fiefdoms, which belonged to them the rights of private property. In the specific period of nobles exercised great influence as independent advisers, and the Grand Duke had to reckon with their opinion: they can and refuse to obey, if he had anything "design for themselves" without their knowledge. The boyars were not related to public service, so at any time to leave the Prince and go to their land. Moscow princes admitted it is their right, but vigorously fought with him. When the beginning of the XVI century, almost all principalities were annexed to Moscow, was nowhere to pull off, except in Lithuania, but it was seen as treason.

A special category were "knights", around which in the XVIII century is always unfolded particularly heated debate. In the eyes of VN Tatishcheva they were not nobles, and certain non-privileged estate of the nobility - a sort of "landmilitsiey. This class Russian historian found in medieval France, comparing "knights" soldiers semiregular army of Charles VII. However, IN Boltin believed that part of the Russian "knights" willfully managed to get into the aristocratic class. This happened with those who are settled farmers on their land and became a landowner.

During the Muscovite state, mainly during the reign of Ivan III, had developed a system officials. Both posts and ranks (in the sense of honor) are equally known as ranks. Rank-rank gradually elaborated of the posts have lost its original meaning: first, they coincide with them, but then became completely independent significance.

The highest court ranks in the Moscow State - Boyar and Okolnichy - had only an honorary title. Boyars were regarded as the principal servants of the emperor, performed by senior positions in the civil and military offices and sat in the Boyar Duma. They ruled the principal′s orders, were appointed commanders of regiments, as the governors ruled areas, negotiated with foreign ambassadors. Leaving from the capital, the king instructs the boyars Moscow ", and they accompanied him on trips to the monasteries, the suburban palaces and hunting. From the boyars appointed tutors to princes, their wives became "mother" of the imperial children.

Boyars participated in all the ceremonial exits the king, for example, they have always stood beside the emperor, and one of them supported his hands, which were allowed to kiss the guests. During the wedding of sovereigns in the kingdom boyars stood on a special platform in 12 steps, which were prepared specifically in the Assumption Cathedral.

Boyarin "room" was very close to the king, entered his room and attended "secret adviser to other cases. But while the king and nobles, and consulted for their views for him was not mandatory.

Okolnichy had the same duties as the nobles, but with a lower value in the lists are always followed them. They have to manage many orders, and sometimes appointed companions (alternates) to the boyars. In the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich Okolnichy, with the decline of the primary genera, most won in its meaning. They were instructed to superintend such orders as Discharge - the main military, or more coming in - Chief Financial Office, responsible for all trade and customs duties. Okolnichy was destined for a special place near the emperor - "Okolnichy table, they specifically went to Russia to see all the girls and choose a bride for the king.

Chin Dumnova first gentleman (in the XVI century. ) Was named a Member of the Board, who attended the meetings of the Boyar Duma. Predecessors of the duma nobles were "knights, which the emperor lived in the Duma. " These titles were given to a person of nobility. They were the hierarchy of ranks, which consistently had held serve. These ranks complained independently of each other, officials of lower ranks, according to the gentility of their names. Only under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich of the above ranks has approved a new meaning - a sequence of hierarchical levels.

For dumnyi ranks followed the court ranks, rank - steward and lawyer. ATTENDANT waited on at the king′s table.

"Service to this: when the king are the ambassadors of other states or government or nobles at dinner, and they then stand before the king, and before the authorities, ambassadors and the boyars are eating and drinking. All the dishes on the table suddenly do not make, and with other meats dishes on his hands holding steward. "

But Stolnikov participate in the festivities of the court was only their external difference: it only indicates their closeness to the royal court and was only an honorary title. Some steward carried exclusively courtly service and because they were called room (or neighbors). They "slept in the king in a room for rent, for Change, a man for four, and with the king and dressing took Razuvaev. But sometimes the steward took a very prominent position: appointed by the governors, heads of minor orders, the ambassadors or fellow ambassadors, they were assigned and important "detective case.

Photo — «Order Of Saint Catherine»

So, too, held the rank of the Solicitor. As the court they were appointed to various services, the person of the emperor: at his exit in the church they carried him a handkerchief and a chair, and during a church service held Tsar cap. When the Emperor was personally involved in a military campaign, the lawyer carried his armor, sword and quiver of arrows. At a gala dinner solicitors served Czasniki and on par with waiter put dishes in front of the boyars and other guests.

One of the responsibilities of pet solicitors were involved in their court ceremonies as a bell. Royal guard - bell - was established under Basil Dark. In all occasions she accompanied the king: their costume consisted of a caftan, embroidered white satin, velvet or cloth and ermine pubescent. In high gorlatnyh hats with velvet top, with two gold chains on his chest and silver hatchets Rynda stood motionless at the foot of the sovereign′s throne.

Ranks Stolnikov and solicitors were given only the elected Moscow nobility: the representatives of the best families were appointed first waiter, and then Okolnichy or boyars. Neimenitye Muscovite nobles had consistently held the rank of first lawyer, Stolnikov duma and nobles, to attain the Okolnichy - and then with a special luck.

For ordinary nobles had another court rank - the rank of the tenant. Honor guard - the residents - came under Ivan the Terrible, they were recruited from the children of the nobility and the change in 40 men guarding the "sovereign′s mansion and the House. The guards wore terliki of expensive fabrics, hats of gold brocade with fur band. Under Tsar Feodor Alekseevich Romanov detachment tenants were supposed to wear on the back wings, for what foreigners called it "Legion flying angels. "

From these ranks, titles should be distinguished court-ranking positions. Honor was the position kravchego, which at ceremonial dinners watching the waiter serving the boyars and the ambassadors. Kravchie (with a few exceptions) were appointed from the best families, often from the knights. Most kravchih remained in this position for long (up to 5 years), and then many of them reached the rank of boyar.

In the XVI century a prominent place among the court officials held postelnichy, treasurer and groom, and a number of special grades were clerks - dumnyi deacon, deacon and clerk. Successive passages of these ranks employee could achieve high duma ranks, which led to the ranks of the lawyer and the waiter, but cases of this elevation were quite rare.

Have been shaped over the centuries knights and nobles alliances held firm. Unity of family, no matter how he was great, and branched, have always maintained: one representative of the rose - rose and the whole family, and establish a hierarchy of hereditary. When the unit princes joined the Muscovite boyars, instead of lost political importance, they became the privileged position of the supreme government of the nobility and determination to keep its place in the current to the beginning of the XVI century, the aristocratic hierarchy of the birth.

The high position of a certain kind of elitism among the other genera are not completely dependent on the power king: he could not raise any kind, even granted him the title prince or other hereditary distinction. The high position and high rank did not do more noble birth or a person who bestowed this rank, or his descendants. Boyar clans based their claim not on the merits of the fathers, not their high positions and ranks, and their parochial attitude to other genera. Proving the right of the superiority of its kind, they examined only the question of whose ancestors occupied a higher position on the joint service. The importance of such a family hierarchy says even if the chance of a dispute at a banquet at the Grand Prince Ivan III GP Zabolotskii does not agree to sit at the table below VF Saburov, and then beat the last emperor petition, basing the seniority of their seats so that his father was above his father′s GP Zabolockij.

Parochialism is not limited to disputes about places at the table, it applies to all the joint services. "All the service schedule was strictly conform to the generic routine, handed down from generation to generation: its relationship to the constant and strict continuity. Therefore, a man who had the highest place, could not serve under the authority of the person below him in rank, or he received an honor of its kind, given the right to another family "drawing inside" her.

Boyars exhibited remarkable tenacity and unfailing firmness in constant, day after day, protecting their ancestral rights. To uphold the high position of its kind, they bravely resisted the will of the sovereign, incur the disgrace, sat in jail for months, and often sacrificed their very significant material interests. Despite the clear harm localism Muscovite rulers had to reckon with the boyars pedigrees. Even Ivan the Terrible, autocratic and brutal towards the boyars, suspected of treason, the demolition of their disobedience, if it was based on parochial rights.

Photo — «Order Of Saint Catherine»

Has begun to establish a regular army and efficient state apparatus, Peter I led a bitter struggle with parochialism. To give the public service clearly organized structure, Peter the Great decided to establish a strict hierarchy of posts and ranks, which became the basis for the famous "Table of Ranks", which was introduced on Jan. 22, 1722 and lasted, with some modifications for almost 200 years. The document consisted of painting the ranks of three departments: the military (with the unit of the army, navy, artillery and guard), State (civil) and court advocacy and 19 articles. If you previously held senior government posts were as a rule, only the nobles, it is now possible to buy the nobility and the receipt of the service. The social position of people began to identify not only the origin and location type, and rank. Awarding of ranks of Peter the Great considered for a special royal favor.

Before the "Table of Ranks" in the Russian military statutes in 1678 listed these ranks for all the armed forces as a colonel, polupolkovnik (his deputy), captain (company commander), Lieutenant (his assistant) and Ensign (commander-bearer). The division in 1678, the regiments to battalions came the rank of major - the battalion commander. Now, according to "Table of Ranks," every kind of service was divided into 14 classes.

The most rare in the history of Russia′s army was a military rank of generalissimo. Even before the "Table of Ranks" in the military code in 1716, compiled with the participation of Peter I, this rank said:

"This rite of crowned heads and great command of the princes only be, especially those to whose is the army. In the non-existence as its shalt command rents above all the army of his field marshal general. "

For 105 years this rank were only four people. Even before the appearance of the article of the statute first became generalissimo voivod AS Shein, granted by this rank in 1696 for the successful action under the Azov. After it became generalissimo "Gracious Prince, AD Menshikov, and then Prince Anton Ulrich - husband of Anna Leopoldovna, reserving for himself this rank as the dowry of the future ruler of Russia. But he was generalissimo only two years since Anna Leopoldovna rule for long. In keeping with Article Peter the statute of the rank of generalissimo in 1799 received from Paul I, only one person - AV Suvorov. In 1945, the fifth generalissimo, but the Soviet Union, began IV Stalin.

The highest military rank, established by Peter I as early as 1699, was Field-Marshal. According to one version, it was the first general-Admiral Earl FA Golovin in 1700, on the other - Count BP Sheremetev in 1701 for the victory at Erestfere. Since the middle of XVIII century, General Field Marshal was not only a military rank, but an honorary title for those of the imperial family, and some foreigners. In the history of Russians were 64 of Field Marshal. This rank will be assigned by the Emperor for outstanding victories and won the war, courage and European glory, as well as for long-term military and civil service, and sometimes by special circumstances.

Nobleman enrolled in the military service from a young age, and 15 had to start it without fail from the ordinary. Peter I demanded that the officers made a gentlemen knew "a soldier with the foundation work. " Even the first regiments of the Guard - Transfiguration and Semyonov - consisted of a series of nobles and princes, who performed all the duties of the lower ranks - have served and receive salaries on a par with them.

The Guard was still small, so the whole office in her place before the eyes of the emperor, who knew every trooper in the face. Privates guard from time to time officers in the army, officers of the Guards, was appointed to senior posts in the army, usually kept their guards high rank and salary. For the capture of Ishmael AV Suvorov (already "full master" - II class) in 1790 was granted the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel of the Life Guards regiment.

The officers of the army and navy were forbidden to wear civilian clothes in all cases - this was considered an insult to the form. They had no right to participate in rallies and marches, as well as the utter political speech. They could marry only with the permission of the authorities, obliged to enter into the consideration of "decency of marriage. " The entire officer corps in compulsory ordered to wear a mustache, and "the wearing of beards was granted the request.

According to "Table of Ranks" all coming in the civil service (except those who had higher education) began its clerk, and only a short-term given the rank of a collegiate registrar (the first rank of the class XIV), and with it the personal nobility (before 1845 years), and after this year - personal honorary citizenship.

In the civil service took no means all. Reports reaching it must have been between the ages of 10 to 18 years of study certainly in Russia. Those who in these years was brought up abroad, could be taken only with a special high resolution.

Photo — «Order Of Saint Catherine»

By "rules of origin" of her children joined the hereditary and personal nobility, the clergy of the Orthodox, Uniate, and Armenian-Gregorian faiths, Protestant pastors, children and the first guild of merchants, as well as children of bureaucrats, scientists and artists who had no rank. But as the civil service is still in the beginning of the XIX century was less honorable than the military, because of lack noblest people from these restrictions are sometimes retreating.

In accordance with the estates signs clerks were divided into four categories, each of which determine their term of service first class rank. For example, the first level clerks received class rank two years later, the second - after four and m e. Scientific activities if and gave some privileges, they were slight. At the beginning of the XIX century academic degrees in Russia there were four - doctor, master, Ph. D. and a valid student. Two recent degree is awarded only to those who graduated from a full course of university. Since 1884 there were only two degrees - Doctor and Master, to get them, it was necessary to defend his dissertation. Master′s degree gave the right to the rank of titular counselor, and doctoral - to the rank of collegiate assessor (and hence the title "Your Honor").

Chin opened the front of his owner not only opportunities but also imposes on it is strictly regulated responsibilities. Thus, the military took an oath "to protect the rights and benefits belonging to the supreme authority, and serve, not sparing the life, against all enemies of the Imperial Majesty. Perform all duties with strict accuracy, without investigating, whether they are important or unimportant, whether you noticed the authorities or remain unknown.

The Civil Service is also subject to strict rules, and their failure to give rise to serious troubles for the officials. They were forbidden to hold positions simultaneously in different departments, it was impossible to recruit in the government offices of relatives and T e.

Stood apart from the state office of court. The formal establishment of the court positions and ranks followed soon after the adoption of Peter I the title of emperor. In the "Table of Ranks" court ranks began with Chief Marshal (II class), then this class was assigned the chief chamberlain, who represented the royal family who acquired the right to an audience. Hallmark of the chief chamberlain was the golden key, decorated with diamonds, which was worn on a gold cord. Great Chamberlain was in charge of the court staff and finances; Chief Marshal - court′s chief Schenk - wine cellars, chief equerry headed Konyushennaya part and T e.

Tenth item "Table of Ranks" provided for court positions and for the "weaker sex". Highest rank, had a "chief gofmeysterina at Her Majesty Empress, which was in the rank of the wives of the real secret advisers. Active cameras virgins equated to the rank of female presidents of colleges and belonged to class VI. These were followed by Gough ladies Gough girls and cameras-girl.

In addition to the system "official" ranks in Russia there was a number of honorary titles as military and civilian agency. For civilians the highest honorary title was "Secretary of State, which had the right person to report on the affairs of the emperor and declare his verbal commands. This title was given generally trusted ministers, at least - the directors of departments and only in exceptional cases - those occupying smaller posty. 1

Name and rank in the Russia Empire meant for a person very much and talked a lot about his social position. In the classical Russian literature mentioned in passing grades and consistent with the privileges were understandable for readers of the time, in our time in this matter mishaps occur, one example of which results in his study of AK Stass. For example, the theme of literature "Bazarov as raznochinets" simply makes no sense, because the answer to it consists of only one sentence: "Bazarov was not and never could become a commoner. " Raznochinets the end of XVIII century, called the officials and junior officers who were not hereditary nobles, and not yet promoted before. Evgeny Bazarov in his novel Fathers and Sons "IS Turgenev turned to the last course of the Petersburg Medico-Surgical Academy, that is, it has not served and did not have any rank. But his father was promoted to the rank of staff-surgeon, and it was a civilian rank of a military department (VIII grade), who gave his hereditary nobility. Upon his retirement, VI Bazarov marries a "pillar" gentlewoman - that is also hereditary, and born in wedlock and their son Eugene was also a nobleman. So even with time to enter public service, he would have to commoner never treated. This issue has been the undisputed not only for readers of that era, but also for the characters of the novel. PP Kirsanov, rigorist noble "principles" just could not give rise to a duel is not a gentleman . . .