SISTERS OF CHARITY - FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE MEDAL

In July 1859 the Swiss physician A. Dunant was present at the battlefield in the village of Solferino in Lombardy. He was a kind and sentimental, and therefore suffering injuries caused in him a burning desire to help the suffering. But as A. Dunant was still a practical man, he decided to found a world organization to provide medical care to the wounded and the victims of earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters.

A few years later, in October 1863, at the meeting "of the Geneva Society public benefit", which was attended by representatives of 16 countries discussed the proposal on the establishment of A. Dunant, the Red Cross Society. And this organization was created: Aug. 22, 1864 in Geneva convention was signed on assistance to wounded soldiers during the war.

However, the founder of the Red Cross were predecessor - the Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, the surgeon NI Pirogov and nurses Krestovozdvizhenskaia community, initiating a public aid to the wounded soldiers during the siege of Sevastopol in 1854-1855, respectively. When the Crimean War, from the front were getting letters describing the terrible sufferings of the wounded and sick soldiers, suffering from lack of care and negligence of hospital chiefs, often indifferent to the suffering of soldiers. In the French army came to nurses in British hospitals has gone by the time the famous Florence Nightingale.

F. Nightingale was born in 1820 into a wealthy English family, grew up in an environment of turbulent social change, and keenly felt his involvement in all important events of the time since all family members involved in politics. For example, her grandfather William Smith entire 46 years was a member of the British Parliament, fought for the rights of religious minorities and the prohibition of the slave trade.

Florence and her elder sister received an excellent education, they were engaged in history and philosophy, they were taught mathematics, music and foreign languages, including ancient - Latin and ancient Greek. At 17 F. Nightingale wrote in her diary that she was visited by a mystical revelation, as shown in her "calling. " This event further strengthened the girl in the opinion that it is not intended for everyday life. In 20 years, Florence has become increasingly in conflict with the family about the marriage and, although she was not allowed to work as a nurse in a hospital in Salisbury, stubbornly defended their independence.

In 1849, she went on a trip to Egypt and Greece, during which described in detail not only the archaeological sites and finds, but also the social conditions of life. Returning home via Germany, visited Florence near Dusseldorf Kayzervert place, where in 1836, Pastor T. Flidner founded the hospital, an orphanage and school. A year later, against the wishes of her family, she returned here to learn from the nurse. Florence was a very capable and diligent student, but on his return to England it was not immediately able to find the application of knowledge gained. To supplement his practical experience, she began to study the state hospitals in England and continental Europe, and to collect the necessary materials to her.

Only in August 1853 F. Nightingale was able to get guardian of the London Institute for sick women of noble birth, where she worked prior to the Crimean War. And then she was appointed head of the group of nurses, and it was unprecedented, because until then no woman has held official posts in the army. So F. Nightingale was in Scutari, where the main military hospital, England. She organized laundry here, improve the content of hospital wards, found in them new beds, got a new underwear for men, has made improving nutrition for them.

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Florence wrote letters and send money to their families, provided in the hospital a few rooms, where recovering soldiers could relax and read. She had to fight with the army command and control of supply, for superintendent of army medical service, it was a bone in the throat, but the endorsement of its activities gave F. Nightingale such support, which had no army reformer.

Every night she went around all the hospital corridors (4 miles), and such its care and attention to tears touched the wounded soldiers. One of them later recalled, as he once kissed his shadow, when the "lady with the lamp" to pass him.

From the outset, a nurse, being able to live freely, renounced worldly pleasures and his desires, completely giving himself merciful love, sacrificing their health and often putting their lives at risk. In addition, stay at the time of women in war was considered not only shameful, but even useless, as they supposedly would embarrass the army in its war transitions. Much has been said about the "weakness of the female sex, which drop the military discipline and morale of the army.

Fortunately a Russian soldier was found when a clever and energetic woman, Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, who collected the virtuous and charitable women and organized Krestovozdvizhenskaya community nurses. She gave them medical training, found the material and have asked, a lot of obstacles from the military authorities, the highest resolution to send nurses to the front. Very grand duchess day went to the hospital and his hands bandaged soldiers bleed.

In December 1854 the first group of nurses (34 people) began work in the hospitals of Sebastopol, they were followed by others - only 127 dedicated women, among whom were representatives of old aristocratic families - E. Bakunin, E. Khitrova, E. Hlaponina many others.

Legendary fame during the Crimean War courted "Dasha Sevastopol. Left an orphan at the age of 13, the girl saw a lot of grief, wandering in search of bread and earnings at home such as poor as herself. When in September 1854 near the Crimean coast of the enemy′s fleet appeared, work started on the strengthening of Sevastopol. Day and night, worked all - young and old, worked and Dasha. She washed clothes for the Russian soldiers, and when she came to the camp and saw all the torment defenders. And then she decided to devote himself to the sick soldiers, but to do it was not easy, because nobody would have allowed her to live among the soldiers and do their job. Dasha bought an old sailor′s costume, dressed as a sailor and started its merciful work during the battle of Alma.

Thunder shots whistling in the air and explode nuclear bombs and, screams and groans of the wounded was initially frightened the girl, but she quickly pulled herself together: took out of her bag a pair of scissors, lint and rags and began, as best I could, to wash and dress the wounds, help and to comfort the unfortunate. Forgetting fear, and no longer paying attention to the horrors of battle, she ran from one soldier to another, tirelessly bandaged their wounds. That is how casual dressing station, and the nurse came over a lot of surprised at how a "sailor. A wounded became more and more, for a long time they lay on the grass and waited for their turn, when to be touched by the hand of an inexperienced "sailor.

After the battle of Alma Dasha days and nights working on a dressing-stations, in hospitals. Not having received any formal training, she was the revocation of the surgeon NI Pirogov, could even assist doctors during surgery . . .

When the heroic activities Dashi Sevastopol was reported to the emperor, he granted her an honorary badge of honor - the silver medal with the inscription "Crimea - 1854-1855-1856.

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His children - great princes, who were in the army - he ordered to kiss her, gave 500 rubles, and ordered to issue another 1000 rubles, when she will marry. After the king′s graces Dasha already able to take off my sailor suit and work quietly at the bedside of patients in the women′s plate. 1

During the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878 years re-spilled blood, again began suffering of Russian soldiers, but once again reached out to them the merciful hearts of women, ready to alleviate the plight of the wounded, and even put his life for them. It happened with the Baroness YP Vrevskaya, which the writer IS Turgenev devoted one of his "Poems in Prose".

On dirt, on stinking wet straw under the awning of dilapidated shed, hastily converted into a military camp and hospitals in impoverished Bulgarian village - a little over two weeks, she died of typhus.

She was unconscious - and no one doctor did not even look at her sick soldiers, whom she nursed, yet could stand on his feet, alternately rising from their infected dens to bring to its caked lips a few drops of water in the crock pot shattered .

She was young, beautiful, high society knew her, inquired about her, even dignitaries. Ladies envied her, men trailing behind her . . . two or three people secretly and deeply loved her. Life is her smile, but there are worse smiles tears.

Gentle gentle heart . . . and such a force, such a thirst for sacrifice! Helping those in need . . . She did not know of another happiness . . . did not know - and not experienced. Every other happiness passed by. But she long ago made peace with it - and all, blazing with fire unquenchable faith, gave herself to serving people.

What cherished treasures buried it there, in the depths of the soul, in its very secret place, no one ever knew - and now, of course, do not know. And why? Sacrificed . . . deed is done.

But sadly think that no one said thanks even her body - even though she herself was ashamed and shunned any thanks.

Do not let them insult her dear shade this late flower, which I venture to lay on her grave!

In the Russian-Turkish war is famed for his selfless work for the benefit of the suffering of soldiers and Princess NB Shakhovskaya - founder of the Alexander community nurses "Soothe My Sorrows.

Great people great and small. Ascetic spirit were not only on the fronts of battle, they were in everyday life. Holy love is not troubled by any terrors, and often nurses helped lepers who were separated from the healthy and the rest of his life spent in a terrible knowing that only death will relieve them from suffering. And the women went to the leper colony to help those who sometimes forget to even the closest relatives.

It is well known compassionate attitude Russian rights to the prisoners, and nurses attended convicts exiled to Sakhalin, which sent most of the fallen criminals who all inspire only contempt, horror and disgust. But the sisters believed that the image of God, albeit a very small spark, but still a glimmer in them, and went there to his warm heart ignite this spark. Even Peter and Paul and Schlisselburg inaccessible fortress, "where not go, but pass", opened up before them with their terrible door. They came to the killers and unknown vagabonds, thieves and prostitutes, fearlessly spoke in solitary confinement with the most hardened criminals, and all carried the word of consolation.

His state of Florence Nightingale medals bequeathed to the institution, which the International Committee of the Red Cross was established in 1912. It is awarded every two years, May 12 - the birthday of F.

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Nightingale - sisters of mercy for the salvation of the wounded and survivors, care for the sick in war and peacetime, as well as in recognition of their exceptional moral and professional qualities. Foundation for the establishment of the medal and the sum of the contributions of the Red Cross in different countries.

For their heroism and courage during the Second World War, 46 Russian nurses were awarded the Florence Nightingale Medal. In 1975, the highest award received from Leningrad Vera Shchekina (Ivanov) - "a mercy to the inhabitants of the besieged city, for their selfless work for the sake of children. "

When the Nazis came very close to Leningrad, Vera Ivanova began to ask the front, but her age is not taken, and sent to the construction of fortifications. And when the blockade began, with the same faith, as she, girls, medical orderlies rescued orphans. At a signal from air-raid, she traveled to assist the wounded in the bombing, unearth littered the entrances to the shelter, went to fetch water, to water hungry people. During the siege at the hands of her patients was 500 people, followed by Vera nursed at home. And she came into the empty apartment to pick out unaccompanied children. Many of them did not know their names, and often names, and many of them gave her name. Writer Vera Ketlinskaya dedicated this brave and courageous girl following lines:

"Vera went around to the neighborhood, dragging sleds, stare at the person walking towards the people come across. Sometimes, turned and walked behind the man - her trained eye immediately to determine who will soon fall and never rise again. She took the hand of a stranger and take him home or in hospital . . .

Medical orderlies have taken account of all the children of the quarter. Often filmed with children not yet cooled bodies mothers. Orphans brought to the barracks squads. The children were dirty and hungry. The girls hitched to the sledge, brought a barrel of water, warmed it and washed the children. Faith put her child next to him, warming him with her body heat, but the child was crying from hunger. And Vera from his piece of bread broke off and gave most of the child. In those terrible days was not, perhaps, more majestic and beautiful movement than a simple movement compassionate emaciated hands, giving their bread weaker. "

300-ANNIVERSARY House of Romanov

In early 1913 St. Petersburg lived one event - a celebration of 300 anniversary of the ruling house of the Romanovs, but the preparation for the anniversary began even three years before the announcement date of the celebration. Was formed "Committee for the device′s tercentenary celebrations of the ruling Romanov dynasty, became its chairman, AG Bulygin - a member of the State Council and the Comptroller of the Highest Court. The Committee requested the Emperor to promulgate "Gracious manifesto to the population of the empire", which indicated that the critical importance of an event experienced by the Russian people in union with the royal family. Manifesto solemnly read out across Russia on the eve of the anniversary. It was brought to an extensive program of charitable actions announced on the benefits to the poor and amnesty from prison of thousands of prisoners were taken debt from small businesses and landowners, and t e. The cost estimates include free refreshments for the people and the issuance of state treasury benefits to the poor. A solemn anniversary was marked by a divine service in all Russian churches, which were released substantial funds for the purchase of church vestments.

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On the occasion of this auspicious date of sculptors and architects worked on the monumental statue, near the Alexander Nevsky Monastery was built a temple in honor of the Romanov dynasty, at St. Isaac′s Square rotunda erected, to the triumph were issued commemorative medals - gold, silver, dark bronze and light bronze .

Special celebrations were held in Kostroma Province, where he was called to the kingdom of Mikhail Romanov. Newspaper chronicle of those years says:

"On Wednesday, March 13, the eve of accession to the throne of Tsar Mikhail Romanov, in all urban church after the liturgy bishops Gifts memorial service will be committed to proclamation of eternal memory of the Emperor Michael′s parents, Patriarch Filaret and the nun Marfa, and all pochivshim kings and emperors of the reigning House of Romanov.

National Club has made to the 300 th anniversary of the reign of the Romanov dynasty in the life-size busts of human growth - Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, Emperors Alexander I and Alexander II and the Emperor Nicholas I. With the proposal to extract busts National Club appealed to the provincial Zemstvo board, which is likely to take advantage of this offer and acquire busts for the opening of its exhibition.

With permission of the Most High, As the Moscow newspaper, the Imperial Moscow Stroganov School submitted an order to execute an extremely valuable contributions to House of the Romanovs brings Archangel Cathedral in Moscow and in the temple Hypatius monastery in Kostroma.

For Hypatius monastery church college ordered the gospel Altar cross, chalice, paten, a ladle for warmth, lzhitsa and spear. All these things will be executed from the drawings and compositions of Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich, who personally handed the Director of the Stroganov school of his drawings while transiting through Moscow. All items will be of great value, extremely massive, and decorated with enamel and precious stones.

Commission at the State Duma to commemorate 300 anniversary of the Romanov dynasty adopted the proposal to establish a pedagogical institute in Kostroma. The Institute will be given the name Romanovsky, it will study the person of either sex. Tuition fees will not be charged, but the graduates will be required to serve on the training of over 7 years.

State Duma suggested that even a bill to establish in Moscow All-Russia National Museum in honor of 300 years of the reign of the Romanov dynasty. However, the main points of the program of the new museum to a large extent affected the interests of the Historical Museum as the basis for a new museum, it was decided to take the assembly of the Rumyantsev Museum, a "missing device for the new Museum of the materials obtained from the Historical, Polytechnic, Russian and Bakhrushin museums. You can imagine the scale of the intended seizure of these museums! 1

Long before the holidays began transforming and St. Petersburg. Thousands of workers were busy over the erection of stalls and kiosks, masts for the construction and installation of banners banners, decoration of buildings and carrying out illumination.

Twenty-one cannon shot announced the beginning of the festivities at 8 am on Feb. 21, 1913, but the main streets of the city the public began to fill before the appointed time. Some hastened to enjoy the festive decorations of streets, others were in a hurry to go godfather. En route, the highest train to the Kazan Cathedral in dress uniform standing still troops and cadets of military academies. Over a hundred of the Imperial convoy followed by an open carriage, which were Czar Nicholas II and heir to the throne, followed by four horses harnessed to a state coach Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, and the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, and beyond it - clarence with Their Imperial Highnesses and the grand duchesses.

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Lock in "the highest train" hundreds of new guards.

At three in the luxurious halls of the Winter Palace were filled to overflowing frozen in anticipation of high yield public.

When it was announced to celebrate the 300 th anniversary of the ruling Romanov dynasty, the provincial representatives of the nobility, assembled in St. Petersburg, decided that all of Russia′s nobility must unite during these celebrations and demonstrate to the Emperor their loyal feelings. From the nobility nationwide on May 25 in Moscow was presented loyal charter, which stated:

"Gracious Emperor! Three centuries ago podyataya alive the spirit of Russian folk Land rose from the depths of its troubles bedeviling, and combined a strong love for the country and faith in its great future, decree of God to the kingdom of your venerable ancestor, the boyar Mikhail Romanov.

Looking back at this solemn hour of this great days, Russia′s nobility is YOU, Great Sovereign, his loyal greetings.

Loyalty letters were presented in a special casket constructed in the old Russian style of cast silver.

Among the king′s awards was "Ancestral badge for those who brought their Imperial Majesties loyal personal congratulations on the occasion of 300 years of the reign of the Romanov dynasty in the days of the anniversary celebrations, 21-24 February 1913. It was an elegant memorial sign, which was an oxidised openwork crest Romanov dynasty, topped by an imperial crown and surrounded by gilded laurel wreath. The sign was worn on the right side of the chest below the stars, but higher than other characters, which were worn on the same side of the chest. The right to wear this sign is certified by a special certificate, which were issued under the signature of the chairman of the Committee for the device 300-years anniversary of the ruling Romanov dynasty. Persons who have been granted to this memorable character, had the right to put him on the back of their name, middle name and surname. According to the royally approved statute, the right to bear that mark was passed by inheritance to the eldest male descendant granted by this mark. Thus, even today there are still those who have a legal right to carry this rare and honorable award, demonstrating the fidelity of their ancestors Russia′s imperial house.

Memory of the celebrations has remained and medal, which shows similar profiles of Mikhail Romanov (the founder of the dynasty) and the Emperor Nicholas II - the last of its representative. The medal worn on a ribbon colors Romanov, and coined it was so much that this award went to almost all subjects of the empire Russia. Manufacture of such number of medals did not deliver to any mint, so chasing medals had been given at the mercy of private individuals, and because there are many options for her.

Nicholas II was planned to establish an order of "Tercentenary" - a sort of home-decoration of the Romanov dynasty. The famous jeweler Carl Faberge firm produced some test samples of very complex shapes and colors. However, to establish this order did not have time, since the First World War.