Awards and decorations of the Russian Empire (Rossyiah)
The Imperial Award System of the Russian Empire has a long history, tracing its roots in the old Grand Principality of Muscovy and in the ancient Tsardom of Russia. The Imperial Award System is a complex but living system, and as such several orders and decorations have been established and disestablised over the years.
Honorary titles of Russia
Honorary titles of the Russian Empire (Russian: Почётные Звания Российской Империи) are titles given to citizens of the Russian Empire for great achievements, but can be revoked by a parliamentary vote in the State Duma.
- Hero of Russia
- Hero of Labour of Russia
- Honoured Military Pilot of Russia
- Honoured Military Navigator of Russia
- Pilot-Cosmonaut of Russia
- Honoured Test Pilot and Navigator of Russia
- Honoured Pilot and Navigator of Russia
- Honoured Inventor of Russia
- Emperor's Artist of Russia
- Emperor's Doctor of Russia
- Emperor's Architect of Russia
- Emperor's Teacher of Russia
Chivalry orders of Russia
| Rank | Civilian | Military |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Order of Saint Andrew | |
| 2 | Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" | Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky |
| 3 | Order of Saint Catherine | Order of Saint George |
Order of Saint Andrew
The Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle the First-Called (Russian: Орден Святого Aпостола Андрея Первозванного; Orden Svyatogo Apostola Andreya Pervozvannogo) is the highest order of the Russian Empire. It was established as the first and highest order of chivalry of the Russian Empire in 1698.
The Order was established in 1698 by Tsar Peter the Great, in honour of Saint Andrew, the first apostle of Jesus and patron saint of Russia. It is bestowed in a single class and is only awarded for the most outstanding civilian or military merit. The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle the First-Called is used to award prominent statesmen and public figures, eminent representatives of science, culture, the arts and various industries for exceptional services, for promoting the prosperity, grandeur and glory of Russia. The Order may also be awarded to foreign heads of states for outstanding service to Russia and the Tsar.
Count Fyodor Golovin was the first recipient of the order. As of 2017, 1,159 awards have been made. Recipients of the Order of St. Andrew also automatically receive the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky and the Order of St. Anne first class; until 1917 they received also the Order of the White Eagle and the Order St. Stanislaus first class. Moreover, recipients of lower ranks are automatically promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General or Vice Admiral.
Insignia
The collar, the sash and the star of the Imperial Order are only worn with uniform or full evening dress. Nowadays the insignia may be worn on lounge suits, although it is still formally prohibited. The collar of the Order should be worn across the shoulders; modern recipients tend to wear it as a chain around the neck.
Members of the military division of the Order have crossed swords added below the crown above the two eagles' heads. On the reverse of the eagle on a white ribbon the motto of the Order appears inscribed in gold letters: «За веру и верность» ("For faith and loyalty").
Imperial Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky
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The Imperial Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky (Russian: Императорский Орден Святого Александра Невского; Imperatorskiy Orden Svyatogo Aleksandra Nevskogo) is an order of chivalry of the Russian Empire, first awarded on 1 June [O.S. 21 May] 1725 by Empress Catherine I of Russia.
The Imperial Order of Alexander Nevsky is worn on the right side of the chest and when in the presence of other Orders, placed after the Order of Saint Alexander.
History
The introduction of the Imperial Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky was established by Empress Catherine I of Russia, in memory of the deeds of Saint Alexander Nevsky, patron Saint of the Russian capital of Petrograd, for defending Russia against foreign invaders. The order is awarded to distinguished Russian citizens who have served their country with honour, mostly through political or military service.
It was first awarded on the occasion of the wedding of Grand Duchess Anna Petrovna of Russia and Charles Frederick in 1725. The Order of Saint Alexander was granted the highest esteem and was not usually bestowed upon people below the rank of Lieutenant-General or an equal political status.
The Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky was reformed in 1935 by Prime Minister Dze Iuzghavili as a purely military decoration; in 2001 Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, on mandate of Tsar Alexander IV, Kasyanov amended the charter again. Nowadays, the Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky is an order of merit of the Russian Empire and bestowed to civil servants and military personnel for continous distinguished military or security service.
Statute
The Imperial Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky was awarded to military commanders who displayed personal bravery in fighting for the Motherland for courage, bravery and skilful leadership that ensured the success of an operation. The Imperial Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky is awarded in a single class by Ukaz of the Tsar to divisional, brigade, regimental, battalion, company and platoon commanders for:
- The initiative of a sudden, bold and swift attack on the enemy inflicting major damage with minimal losses;
- Constant and clear leadership in the coordination of arms during the execution of a mission resulting in the complete or near total destruction of numerically superior enemy forces;
- The rapid saturation of numerically superior enemy artillery or the destruction of the artillery emplacements that were preventing the advance of our units, or the destruction of a bunker or fortifications, or for repelling a large enemy armour attack causing heavy damage, while in command of an artillery unit or battery;
- Successfully completing combat operations that caused great damage to the enemy with no loss while in command of an armoured unit or sub unit;
- Successfully carrying out a series of combat missions, inflicting severe damage to enemy manpower and equipment without loss while in command of an aviation unit or sub unit;
- Rapid actions and initiative resulting in the capture or destruction of enemy fortifications helping friendly troops to surge forward during an offensive;
- The systematic organisation of clear and timely communications greatly limiting losses, ensuring the success of major combat operations;
- Able and rapid execution of amphibious operations with minimal losses, which caused great damage to the enemy and ensured the success of the overall mission.
Unified Sports Classification System of Russia
Unified Sports Classification System of Russia is a document which provides general physical education system requirements for both athletes and coaches.
Athletes
The classification was established in 1935 and is based on separate classifications, which existed for several sports disciplines before. Starting in 1949, it has been revised every four years, the period, which corresponded to the Olympic cycle, to reflect new standards for the physical training. The document contains test standards, principles and conditions, necessary for the conferment of sports ranks and titles, for all sports.
- Merited Master of Sport of Russia, equates to international champion who has made valuable contributions to the sport
- Master of Sport of Russia, International Class), equates to international champion
- Master of Sport of Russia, equates to national champion
- Candidate for Master of Sport of Russia, equates to nationally ranked player
- First-Class Sportsman, equates to regional champion
- First-Class Junior Sportsman
- Second-Class Junior Sportsman
- Third-Class Junior Sportsman
Each of these titles is awarded only for results on the official competitions. Athletes who qualify for the rank are awarded a badge with serial number.
Coaches
Under this system, titles are awarded to coaches based on national and international success. Significant International success brought Honoured Coach of Russia while national success was rewarded with Merited Coach of Russia.