- Time Period: Pre-WW1
- Year of Institution: 1698
- Country: Russia & USSR
The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle the First-Called (or Орден Святого апостола Андрея Первозванного in Russian) is the highest order of the Russian Federation. Established as the first and highest order of chivalry of the Russian Empire in 1698, it was abolished under the USSR before being re-established as the top Russian order in 1998.
The Order was established in 1698 by Tsar Peter the Great, in honor of Saint Andrew, the first apostle of Jesus and patron saint of Russia. It was bestowed in a single class and was only awarded for the most outstanding civilian or military merit.
Peter learned of the practice of bestowing awards from his travels in the West during the Great Embassy. He witnessed first hand the awards ceremonies for England’s Order of the Garter and Austria’s Order of the Golden Fleece and noticed the loyalty and pride of the awardees. It also saved the state land and money.
Count Fyodor Golovin was the first recipient of the order.
The Order of Saint Andrew Medal Design
The insignia of the order consisted of a badge and star. The badge is an enameled crowned black double-headed eagle bearing a blue St. Andrew’s Cross (saltire) with St. Andrew crucified upon it; on the arms of the saltire were the Latin letters ‘SAPR‘ (‘St. Andrew, Patron of Russia’). It was worn on a pale blue sash over the right shoulder, or on special occasions on an elaborate ‘collar’ (chain). The star is an eight-pointed silver star bearing a miniature of the badge on a golden background at the center, surrounded by the motto “For Faith and Loyalty” (Russian: Za Veru i Vernost) on a blue ring. It was worn on the left chest.
The insignia of the order could be awarded “with diamonds” as a special distinction. Saint Andrew’s Cathedral in Saint Petersburg was the chapter church of this order of chivalry.
