ORDER OF ST. ANDREW

The earliest mention of the first Russia′s Order is the next record in 1699 in the Diary of John George Korba, Secretary of the Austrian Embassy in Russia: "His Majesty has established the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle. " By the time the Russia of the Order of St. Andrew in almost all European countries had their own decorations of the Order, and some of them already had hundreds of years of its history.

The first signs of the Order of St. Andrew′s until the summer of 1709, ie before the battle of Poltava, constructed in the form of a skew Andrew′s cross, covered with blue enamel with gold kaymoy. 1 On the cross depicted the figure of the first of the apostles, "whose Christ of fishing affairs for the apostle called" ;. The choice of this apostle was also connected with the tradition of the chronicle of his journey through the lands, which later formed the Russian state.

At the ends of the cross placed letters at the top - "S" and "A" (Saint Andrew), at the bottom - "P" and "R" (Patron of Russia). Placed in the crosshairs of the same cross, but smaller, and its gold background Crucifixion of St. Andrew. Top insignia crowned Russia′s crown XVII century with the ears, so it can be hung from the Order′s chain or tape. Cross of the Order of St. Andrew was attached to a wide blue ribbon worn over his right shoulder, and on festive occasions - in gold, covered with multicolored enamel chain on his chest. The chain consisted of alternating links with special symbolic images on each of them: double-headed eagle, the Saltire in the radiant glow, blue cartouche with two crossed in Latin letters "P" - monogram Peter I. Monogram crowned red crown, and the edges adorned military paraphernalia.

By the cross accompanied by a large octagonal (embroidered with gold) star worn on the left side of his uniform.

Photo — «Order Of St. Andrew»

Star had a round central medallion, which also housed an image of Andrew Cross, and the circle was an inscription, which reproduces the motto of the Order: "For faith and faithfulness.

The draft statute of the Order of St. Andrew, who almost three decades remained the only Russian Order, drafted with the direct participation of Peter I. In the chapter "The Chevalier" defines what must be given this award: "The punishment and rewarding one for their loyalty, bravery and different to us and our homeland services rendered, while others - for all kinds of encouragement to the noble and heroic virtues. "

But the order complained very sparingly, because the candidates were awarded to have a count or a princely title, the title of senator (minister, ambassador or other high merit ") or a general or flag rank. The Order may also be governors, who "a few years, at least ten, provided valuable and faithful service. In addition, a prerequisite was that the candidate has no physical defects, was an appropriate age - not less than 25 years and the presence of a condition that in order to "support the importance of the Order.

Chevaliers of the Order of St. Andrew could consist of no more than 12 people "natural Russian Knights" and this condition at all times of the reign of Peter the Great thoroughly respected. In some years there were even fewer than 12 people.

First Knight of St. Andrew became Fedor Alekseevich Golovin - the closest associate of Peter I, was distinguished by an extraordinary intelligence and outstanding military and diplomatic talent. It was he who in 1689 signed a peace Nerchin Rossiyskim on the border between the state and China. When Peter I was making his first trip abroad, FA Golovin was busy organizing Russia′s Navy: invited foreign officers and masters, purchased the necessary materials for the construction of the fleet, sent abroad, Russian pupils.

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Upon his return to the fatherland, he became head of the newly created "Military Order of Maritime Affairs", while leading and Ambassadorial order.

In February 1700 a second Knight of St. Andrew became the Ukrainian Hetman IS Mazeppa. The award-winning "the reward of merit, provided to them for 13 years in the military field, in the war with the Turks and the Crimean khan, he was the first Russian prize from the hands of Peter the Great.

In the reign of Peter I the Order of St. Andrew was granted 38 people. Among them was and Wallachian ruler of Constantine Brancoveanu, received this award - for the sympathy for Russia - in secret and not made even in the official list of awardees. Sam Peter I was awarded with Order in 1703 and the sixth for a particular feat - for directing the operation to take the two Swedish ships (Snow "Astrild and bot" Ged ") at the mouth of Nevy. 1 Signs Order to the king, who had the official rank of captain bombardirskoy company, laid the first Andrew Knight FA Golovin.

During the Battle of Poltava the Order of St. Andrew was awarded just four people, among them General J. Bruce, who commanded during the battle of Russian artillery. Received his star is now kept in the Historical Museum in Moscow. Special award the Order of St. Andrew fell to Admiral General FM Apraksin - favorite almiralteytsa "Peter I, received this award for the capture of a strongly fortified fortress of Vyborg. In 1710, after waiting the time when the ice in the Gulf of Finland broke, FM Apraksin blocked Vyborg from the sea. Simultaneously, the fortress was sent ground troops from St. Petersburg. On the first day of July started shelling Vyborg, and two weeks later, after taking the suburbs, Vyborg surrendered. Peter I, who arrived in the camp near Vyborg is July 11, entered the city with Preobrazhensky regiment.

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FM Apraksin awarded both the Order of St. Andrew and the Golden Sword, "sprinkled with diamonds. " Awarding this was quite exceptional, as well as on the order of Peter I "this cross would be gold, diamonds, induced enamel, decorated with a diamond crown at the expense of about 85 rubles. However, the same gentleman can give some diamonds and other precious stones treasurer for the use of the cross and decorate it according to his will.

To award the Order of St. Andrew insignia has not changed, but the Ribbon Star issued in three versions. In the first case of wrought silver star Opletal golden ribbon of the English Order of the Garter, covered with blue enamel, on which was written the motto of the Order. In another case, the gold ribbon around the star was added silver sword of the Swedish Order of the Sword lowered down the handle. If awarded the Order of St. Andrew the person is not Christian faith, the blue ribbon finiftevuyu struck gold wreath.

C. Rondeau, the British ambassador in Russia, visited the Order′s holiday November 30 - the day of St. Andrew - and described the ceremonial dress of gentlemen:

"The top dress with narrow sleeves sewn from a gold substance, it is decorated with small lapels with rows of buttons to the waist, and only two folds at the sides, a silver waistcoat matter, trousers, gold, white silk stockings, shoes, black velvet with strings of white ribbons, a sling for swords, worn over a dress, gold, and the hilt of gold, or at least, perfectly golden, neck tied with a small short ties, tied or buttoned in the back. Lace cuffs, capes and robes are very long, far - about a yard, falling down on the floor, green velvet with strips of silver material. On the left side of the mantle - Ribbon Star. Mantle collar tied at the chest site of a beautiful gold cord hanging from the front to the knee, with ends, decorated with golden tassels.

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On the collar of the mantle or cloak wearing a chain of the Order, consisting of Russian coat of arms, Saltire and the cipher of the Empress. Every gentleman should have been a wig in curls and a small black velvet hat with three feathers erect, two white and one red. "

The draft statute of the Order of St. Andrew subsequently developed several times (in 1720, 1729 and 1730, respectively), but was not approved until April 5, 1797, the day of his coronation, the Emperor Paul I did not sign a special "Establishment of the Russian Order . In this "Establishing the Order of St. Andrew, along with three others, entered into the system of state awards of Russia and became the main one.

Beginning with the reign of Emperor Paul I Andreyevskiy gentlemen forbidden without permission to adorn their insignia with precious stones. Cross and star set with diamonds or diamonds, the special steel, the highest honors of the Order, who complained are now exclusively on the personal discretion of the king.

Paul I was to award the Order of St. Andrew and of the clergy, the first of these was the Metropolitan of Novgorod and St. Petersburg Gabriel. Emperor legalized custom in which every great prince had at its birth became a Knight of the Order of St. Andrew, after the baptism of the newborn "gird oneself" blue ribbon of St. Andrew. When I picture Paul the Apostle Andrew, the medallion is placed in the stars, was replaced by double-headed eagle.

When Alexander I dramatically increased the number of winners, the only difference in the military campaign, 1812-1814-s the Order of St. Andrew were eight chelovek. 1 Around the same time, there were made of silver stars, not sewn, as it was before.

In 1807, five years before the war of 1812, the Order of St. Andrew was awarded the Napoleon. On the occasion of the ratification of the Peace of Tilsit between Russia and France signs of Russia′s highest award, except the French emperor, received his brother Jerome, the marshals LA Berthier and I.

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Murat, and Prince Sh. M. Talleyrand - one of the most prominent French diplomats XIX century. In 1815 to St. Andrew′s Order of foreigners who had added the English commander the Duke AU Wellington.

Prior to 1855 marks of the Order of St. Andrew, which provided for military achievements, outwardly no different from the same marks for civil services. Later, military decorations were added to the crossed swords, on a star passing through the middle. And on the insignia of these swords were placed between the actual cross and his crowning crowns.

Order of St. Andrew, who has already more than 300-year history, the decree of President of Russia, from July 1, 1998 was restored in the Russian awards. Signs of the Order of St. Andrew′s made of silver with gilding, the new order of appearance differs from its predecessor, partially altered and its symbolism - the imperial eagle was superseded by the emblem of Russia.

According to its statute, the Order of St. Andrew is the highest state award of Russia. They are awarded to outstanding statesmen, public figures and other citizens of Russia for exceptional services, promoting prosperity, grandeur and glory of the motherland. Order of St. Andrew may also receive the heads and rulers of foreign countries for outstanding services to the Russia Federation. First knight of the Order of St. Andrew′s became Russia scholar DS Likhachev, to receive this award for outstanding contribution to the development of national culture.