The Order of St. Andrew the First-Called is one of the oldest insignia, approved by Peter the Great, and the most significant in the Russian Empire. It has always been an honor to receive such an order. And it is no coincidence: after all, this award was awarded for special services to the Fatherland.
A star, a cross and a blue ribbon are the main symbols of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. Historians have speculated that the Scottish Order of the Thistle is the prototype of this order. The Russian emperor learned about him during his trip to England. There are also explanations why the order began to be named after this particular apostle.
Andrew the First-Called, revered in Russia even during the reign of the Kiev princes, according to legend, made his way from the "Greeks to the Varangians." He visited all the Russian lands, from south to north, blessed the places where the Great Kiev City and Novgorod were later founded. Apostle Andrew, who spent his life in wanderings and travels, is also considered the patron saint of seafarers. Probably, it was this position that played the main role when, in 1699, Peter the Great established a naval flag, taking as a basis the blue St. Andrew's cross, with beams fastened obliquely. It was on such a cross, according to legend, that the apostle was crucified.
On March 10, 1699, according to the old style, returning from a trip to Europe as part of the "Great Embassy", Peter the Great established the first state award - the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. It was awarded for special merits: for loyalty, courage and other services rendered to the Fatherland, noble and heroic virtues, for distinctions shown in hostilities and operations. This highest award was received by a few: monarchs, the highest state and military dignitaries, the most important allies of the Russian Empire. During the reign of Peter the Great, only 38 orders were awarded. Among those awarded - the emperor himself (he was the seventh holder of the order), his associates and 12 foreigners.
The sovereign received the order from the hands of the admiral, field marshal general, for the operation to capture two Swedish ships at the mouth of the Neva. This significant event took place in May 1703. A year earlier, on January 12, 1702, Count Sheremetyev Boris Petrovich was awarded the order for the victory over the Swedes at Erresfer. For the capture of Swedish ships in 1703 AD Menshikov and Count GI Golovkin, who in the future became the Supreme Chancellor, received orders.
Since 1998, the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called has received a "second life". It is awarded, as before, for special services to the Fatherland and achievements in various fields of activity: in science, culture, medicine, journalism, etc. Among the holders of the order are also Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Lyudmila Zykina, Mikhail Gorbachev and others.
