At the end of August, a solemn presentation of state awards took place in the Kremlin. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the most worthy residents of the country, presenting them with orders and decorations.
The ceremony of presenting state awards was traditionally held in the Catherine Hall of the Kremlin. In his opening speech, the President urged to respect the history of the state and preserve national and state traditions. He also recalled that on November 4, 2012, Russia celebrates not just the Day of National Unity, but the anniversary of the heroic events of 1612, which put an end to the Time of Troubles. In addition, another anniversary is celebrated this year - exactly 200 years of the end of the Patriotic War of 1812.
For the first time in many decades, the revived award was solemnly presented - the Order of the Holy Great Martyr Catherine, which existed before the revolution and was included in the register of awards only in 2012. It was awarded to the abbess of St. Nicholas Chernoostrovsky convent in Maloyaroslavets, Abbess Nicholas.
Also, the badge of distinction "For Benevolence" was revived, its president presented the representative of the military-historical society "Club of the Red Army" of the Czech Republic Sonia Golechkova, the president of the Vera hospice charity fund Anna Federmesser, as well as the director of the medical center "Generation" located in Belgorod, Natalia Kunitsyna. According to V. V. Putin, these awards will henceforth be awarded to humanitarian, peacekeeping and charitable merits.
The President and the test cosmonauts Andrei Borisenko and Alexander Samokutyaev, warrant officer of the special forces department of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Artem Katunkin, who distinguished himself during a special operation in Dagestan, made a special mention. The words “Russia has always been proud of those who are capable of a real deed” have become an excellent addition to the awarded Golden Stars of the Hero of Russia.
In total, in the most solemn atmosphere, 50 state awards were presented - to the military, cultural and scientific workers, representatives of working specialties, athletes and doctors. Among the awardees were Gennady Gladkov, Karen Shakhnazarov, Joseph Kobzon. The head of state congratulated all the laureates and emphasized the enormous social significance of the achievements and successes of each of them.
