Back in February 1722, in connection with the celebration of the Peace of Nystadt, Peter 1 intended to establish an order as a reward exclusively for military merit. This becomes clear from the surviving records of that time, which mention the development of a new order - St. Alexander, at the same time the first 40 badges of this award and the red ribbon of the order were made. The death of the emperor prevented the plan from being realized. The first awards began only in May 1725, but the date of establishment Order of St. Alexander Nevsky considered August 30, 1725, St. Alexander Nevsky, when Empress Catherine 1 bestowed upon herself the insignia of this order. Together with her, 22 more people received the award, almost all of them were already knights of the hordes. Saint Andrew the First-Called.

Images of the insignia of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky:

The order had one degree and was worn on a red moire ribbon worn over the left shoulder.

The sign is a red enamel cross (until the 1820s, instead of enamel, the cross was covered with red polished glass). In the center of the cross, in the medallion, is depicted Saint Alexander Nevsky on horseback, blessed by a hand emerging from the clouds. On the reverse side of the sign, in the medallion, is the saint’s monogram: SA. Between the ends of the cross there are golden double-headed eagles crowned with three crowns.

The star is silver, eight-pointed. Worn on the left side of the chest. In the central medallion of the star, on a white field, the monogram of the saint is SA under the princely crown. Around the medallion, around the circumference, on a red enamel background is the motto “For Labor and the Fatherland.”

Order insignia were modified several times. The first, most significant change occurred on March 24, 1819. Instead of red glass, both sides of the cross began to be covered with enamel.

Then, in 1856, the shape of the double-headed eagles between the sides of the cross was brought into line with the heraldic shape of the double-headed eagles of the Russian coat of arms of the reform of Alexander II instead of the “Nicholas” eagles with the so-called. eagles with raised wings began to be placed with lowered wings.

Since 1797, the badge of the order decorated with diamonds has become a special, highest degree of award issued from the Cabinet of His Imperial Majesty. Total from 1797 to 1917 with diamond marks Order of St. Alexander Nevsky awarded, 1275 people, of which 24 people with swords, and five people were awarded twice.

When awarding the Alexander Knights, they made a one-time contribution to the Chapter in the amount of 200 rubles. (from 1860 - 400 rubles, for comparison: the annual salary of a major general in the 1870s was 1110 rubles, a lieutenant - 340 rubles) part of the funds remained at the disposal of the Chapter, and part was transferred to the disposal of the “Alexandrovsky Committee on the Wounded” .

When receiving diamond awards from the Cabinet, 10 percent of their value was sent to charitable purposes in favor of crippled warriors. (in 1835, it was 429 rubles)

Highly ranked among Order of St. Alexander Nevsky since 1797 and representatives of the clergy. In total, 145 Orthodox hierarchs were assigned to him (48 of them also received awards decorated with diamonds), as well as 18 clergy - representatives of the white clergy.

The Order's holiday is August 30, the day of the “transfer of the relics of the Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky.” The Order Church is a cathedral church in the Trinity Cathedral of the Alexander Nevsky Monastery (since 1796 - Lavra) in St. Petersburg.

August 30, 1724 The remains of Alexander Nevsky were transported from Vladimir to St. Petersburg and interred in the monastery, which has since been called the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.

It was founded by Peter I in 1710. on the left bank of the Neva, in the place where almost half a millennium earlier, on July 15, 1240, troops led by Prince Alexander completely defeated the Swedes. According to legend, for this battle Alexander, who personally distinguished himself in it, received the honorary nickname “Nevsky”, and in 1380. For his feat of patience and endurance, he was canonized by the church as a saint. Peter also decided to celebrate his memory on August 30, the day of the conclusion of a victorious peace with Sweden.

Alexander (1221-1263) was born into the family of Prince Yaroslav Vsevolodovich and Princess Feodosia, daughter of Prince Mstislav Udatny (Udaly). His grandfather was Vsevolod the Big Nest. In 1236 Alexander was placed under the reign of Novgorod. In 1239 married the Polotsk princess Alexandra Bryachislavna.

By the beginning of the 18th century, a forest surrounded by swamps grew on the former battlefield. Having decided to found a monastery here, on a place sacred to Russians, Peter ordered the forest to be cut down and the swamps to be drained. They were moved here in 1724. the remains of Prince Alexander. At the same time, or somewhat earlier, the emperor decided to establish a new order - named after Alexander Nevsky, to be awarded exclusively for military merit. But at the very beginning of 1725. Peter died without having time to fulfill his intention.

Set of insignia of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky with diamonds. Saint Petersburg. Workshop of Rudolf Trimen. Beginning of the 20th century

1) Badge of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky. Gold, silver, enamel, roses, rhinestones. Size 60x55 mm.
2) Star of the order. Silver, enamel, roses, rhinestones. Size 88x87 mm.
3) Order moire ribbon.
The badges of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky from the Cabinet of His Majesty “with diamonds” were awarded mainly to Russian citizens. This was a sign of the emperor’s special favor and favor, and, at the same time, a very valuable gift, which the recipient could dispose of at his own discretion.

In view of such sad circumstances, the Order of St. Prince Alexander Nevsky was established already under Catherine I (in May 1725) and began to be used to reward both military and civilians. It was one of the highest awards of the Russian Empire and second in importance after the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. For the first time, 18 people became holders of the order on the wedding day of the daughter of Catherine and Peter I, Princess Anna and Duke of the German Principality Karl-Friedrich.

Star of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky. Saint Petersburg. First half of the 19th century. Unknown workshop. Silver, silk, tinsel, paper. Size 80 mm.

Star of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky. Western Europe. Unknown workshop. First half of the 19th century Silver, gold, enamel. Size 90x89 mm. An early type of “forged” star, which the gentleman, instead of the sewn star received from the chapter, ordered through the English store on Nevsky Prospekt in St. Petersburg. The pattern of the rays of this star repeats the “sewing” of the capitular.

Star of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky with swords (for military merit). Unknown workshop, St. Petersburg, 1860s. Silver 84 Ave., gilding, enamel. Weight, 50.58 g. Size 88x89 mm. Hallmarks: hallmark "84", coat of arms of St. Petersburg and the master's name (unreadable) on the reverse side.

Star of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky. Firm “Eduard”, St. Petersburg, 1899-1908. Silver, enamel, gilding. Weight 59.47 g. Size 87x87 mm. Marks on the reverse side: hallmark “84” with a female head to the left, master’s name “IL” and the company “Eduard”, as well as an identification mark, female head to the left on a needle from the assay inspector S.A. Romanova.

Star of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky. Unknown workshop, 1880-1900s. Silver, enamel, gilding. Weight 69.47 g. Size 87x86 mm.

Silver, gold, diamonds. Size 81x82 mm. St. Petersburg, workshop of the court supplier K. Gan (?). Late XIX - early XX centuries.
Beginning in 1844, order badges were awarded to persons of non-Christian religion in the center of which (in the medallion), the image of the saint or his monogram was replaced by the state eagle of black enamel. The cabinet award in diamonds, being essentially a special distinction noted personally by the Emperor, is one of the main rarities of the highest collectible level. This is explained by the fact that, firstly, from 1890 to 1917. Only 33 orders were awarded to non-Christians, decorated with diamonds from the Cabinet of His Imperial Majesty, and secondly, almost all of them were withdrawn from collection circulation and are in state collections of foreign countries (Turkey, Korea, Siam, Japan, etc.) or in families awarded.

The official statute of the order appeared only in 1797. under Paul I, according to whom, the order was not divided into degrees, it was worn on a neck ribbon and, only in special cases, on a wide red ribbon over the left shoulder and with a star on the left side of the chest. By the establishment of 1797 Independent decoration of the insignia of the order was prohibited. Diamond signs were allowed only by special command as the highest degree of the order.

Badge of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky. Gold, silver, enamel, roses, rhinestones. Size 60x55 mm. Marks: on the ear - hallmark "56", female head in a kokoshnik, to the left, name tag "T.R.", on the earring under the ribbon - name tag "T.R."

Badge of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky. Saint Petersburg. Keibel and Kemmerer company. Gold, enamel. Size 61x54 mm. Hallmarks: on the ear - annual (1848), hallmark with the coat of arms of the city of St. Petersburg, small identification marks - "Coat of arms of the city of St. Petersburg in a circle", under the enamel the State Emblem - sign of the supplier of the Supreme Court.

Badge of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky. Saint Petersburg. Firm "Eduard". After 1908. Gold 56 Ave., enamel. Size 55x60.5 mm.

Since 1855 The statute provided for the attachment of swords to the star and sign - as a sign of reward for participation in hostilities. If the recipient of badges with swords was re-awarded with diamond badges for civil merit, then the swords were attached to the upper crossbar of the cross and the upper ray of the star.

In total, during the existence of the order, about 3 thousand awards were made; the most generous award was given out in 1916. (105 awards). As a state award, the order was abolished in 1917.

July 29, 1942 By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the order was restored as a military award with the name Order of Alexander Nevsky. It was awarded to the commanders of the Red Army who showed personal bravery, courage and bravery in the battles for their Motherland during the Second World War. The statute of the order was supplemented by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated November 10, 1942. Partial changes were made to the description of the order by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated June 19, 1943. The Order of Alexander Nevsky No. 1 was awarded to the commander of the marine battalion of the 154th Marine Rifle Brigade, senior lieutenant (later lieutenant colonel) I.N. Ruban.

It is known that the order was awarded to commanders for taking the initiative to choose the right moment for a sudden and swift attack on the enemy and inflicting a major defeat on him with few losses for their troops. For completing a combat mission, persistent and clear organization of the interaction of troops and the destruction of existing superior enemy forces. For rapid actions and initiative to disrupt or destroy enemy engineering structures and ensure the development of success in the offensive impulse of our units, etc. In total, 42,165 awards were made for exploits and merits in the Second World War.

Among those awarded the Order of Alexander Nevsky were about 70 foreign generals and officers. Women officers were also awarded this military order.

No. 149 Order of St. Alexander Nevsky in Russia

The Order of St. Alexander Nevsky was conceived by Peter I to reward military merit.
However, established after his death, on May 21 (June 1), 1725 by Catherine I, the order began to be used
and for rewarding civilians. 18 people became the first holders of the order on the wedding day of Catherine I’s daughter
and Peter I, Princess Anna and Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp Karl Friedrich. Judging by the list of awardees
persons, the order was intended to reward not the highest military and government ranks, the corresponding
approximately to a lieutenant general or major general. However, already on August 30, 1725, on the anniversary of the transfer
relics of the Holy Blessed Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky, Empress Catherine I bestowed the order on herself,
as well as 21 more people from the highest nobility, including the Polish king Augustus II and the Danish king Frederick IV.
Not a single major general was included in the list. The order established itself as a reward for ranks from lieutenant general and
higher for services to the Fatherland.

Before the reign of Catherine II, about 300 people were awarded the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky.
Empress Catherine II issued another 250 orders.

Under Paul I in 1797, the order first received an official statute and description:

"The cross is red, with double-headed eagles in between, and in the middle an image of St. Alexander on horseback.
On the other side in a white field is his monogram with the Princely Crown. A silver star, in the middle of which there is
on the silver field is the monogram name of St. Alexander Nevsky under the Princely Crown."

In Pavlovian times, a special commission of six holders of the Order of Alexander Nevsky was established, which
should be engaged in charitable activities with one-time contributions of 200 rubles from the newly awarded.
Under Alexander I, contributions increased.

During the wars with Napoleon 1812–1814. years, the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky was issued 48 times, of which
14 orders with diamonds. For the Battle of Borodino, Alexander I awarded 4 orders to famous generals
D. S. Dokhturov, M. A. Miloradovich, A. I. Osterman-Tolstoy and N. N. Raevsky.

In the 1860s, according to the fashion of the time, the badge of the order was often covered with black enamel.

The Imperial Order of St. Alexander Nevsky has one degree or class. Extracts from the Establishment of Orders
and other insignia, ed. 1892.

In total, during the existence of the order, about 3 thousand awards were made, the most generous award
was given out in 1916 (105 awards).

The capitular church of the order was the Trinity Cathedral of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.

(Star to the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky)*
(Badge of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky 1820-30)*
(Badge in the form of a cross for the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky. Obverse (left) and reverse sides of the badge.)*
(Badge of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky 1865 with black enamel.)*

STATUTE OF THE IMPERIAL ORDER
St. Blessed Prince ALEXANDER NEVSKY

267. The Imperial Order of St. Alexander Nevsky has one degree or class.
1797 Apr. 5 (17,908); 1856 Aug. 12 (30,842).

268. The signs of this order (Article 267) are the following:

1) A gold cross with red enamel on both sides, having four ends between its four ends,
golden, double-headed eagles under the Imperial crown, with outstretched wings, with which they are on the surface
the front side of the cross and are connected to each other, having feathers and laurel wreaths in the claws; in the middle of the cross,
on a cloudy enamel field, an image of St. Alexander Nevsky on a horse, and on the other side a Latin
his monogram under the Princely crown.

2) A silver star, in the middle of which in the same field is the monogram name of St. Alexander Nevsky under
Princely crown; in a circle on a red field is depicted in gold letters the order's motto:
"FOR WORK AND FATHERLAND".

3) Red ribbon, worn over the left shoulder.

4) To the signs complained of for military exploits against the enemy (Article 92), two are added, crosswise
lying, sword: in the middle of the cross and star. If, after the award of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky for military
feats, the same person will be awarded diamond badges of this order, for other, non-military, distinctions,
then the swords are placed on the star above the middle shield, and on the sign itself - on the top of the cross.
1797 Apr. 5 (17 908) art. 6; 1819 March. 24 (27,728); 1854 Jul. 15 (28 425 a,
PSZ 1855); 1855 Aug. 5 (29,564); 1861 March. 28 (36,780);
1870 Dec. 3 (48,973); 1889 Dec. 15 (6445) rights, art. 4;
1890 May 31, collection. Uzak., 689, rights., art. 3.

269. On the insignia of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky, when awarded to non-Christians, instead of an image
St. Alexander and instead of his monogram name, the Imperial Russian eagle is depicted.
1844 Aug. 9 (18,137); 1845 Jul. 22 (19 227) art. IV; (19 228) art. IV;
1846 Oct. 27 (20,551); 1856 March. 22, High. pov.;
1857 Dec. 10, floor Com. Min.

270. The order's attire is as follows: 1) Long red velvet cape, lined with white taffeta with silver
glazet cragen; on the left side of this star is more ordinary. 2) Supervest silver glazed,
similar to that defined for the Order of St. Andrew. 3) Black velvet hat with a white feather and a red one sewn on
from a narrow red ribbon, with a cross.
1797 Apr. 5 (17 908) art. 6.

271. Merits that open the way to achieving this order, as well as the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, are not designated by law.

272. Twenty-four Knights of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky, including five clergy,
receive pensions, divided into two categories (Article 155, adj.). 1797 Apr. 5 (17 908) art. 25; Oct. 27 (18,225);
1801 Jun 4 (19,903); 1839 November 9 (12,867); 1843 Jan. 1 (16 404) list.

273. From each holder of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky, upon awarding him with this order, is charged
at a time and delivered to the Chapter of Orders for charitable deeds for four hundred rubles. Of this amount two hundred
eighty rubles remain under the jurisdiction of the Chapter, and the rest are applied, according to Article 224, to the state treasury,
at the disposal of the Alexander Committee on the Wounded. - When granting swords to this order (Article 268, paragraph 4)
two hundred rubles are charged from the person granted. 1797 Oct. 27 (18,225); 1816 Feb. 3 (26,115); 1839 November 9 (12,867);
Dec. 21 (13,015); 1853 Jul. 12 (27,437); Oct. 13 (27,607);
1858 Apr. 15 (33,005); 1860 Aug. 8 (36,076) art. 1, 2, 4, 6;
1877 Dec. 12 (57,965); (57,966).

274. Knights of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky celebrate the day of its establishment on August 30, on the day of this Saint.

Note. On the day of the feast of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky, gentlemen of this order wear a ribbon
him over the shoulder, even if they had the Order of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called. 1835 Jun 17 (8249) ? 24;
1855 Aug. 15 (29 589) V, art. 1; 1856 Feb. 10 (30 155) description, form. III.

275. On the day of the order’s celebration, junior holders of the order are assigned to accompany the religious procession
in St. Petersburg from the Cathedral of the Kazan Most Holy Theotokos to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.

276. The cathedral church in Alexander Nevsky in St. Petersburg was assigned to the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky
The monastery where the relics of this Saint of God rest. 1797 Apr. 5 (17 908) art. 15.

277. Knights of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky are entrusted with the care and care of invalid homes and all schools.
1797 Oct. 27 (18,225).

278. The duties of these gentlemen in such institutions are set out above, in the general regulations on orders (Article 173 et seq.).

Making the insignia of the Order in Eduard's jewelry company in 1915:

Silver breast star - 18 rubles.
Star with gold details - 28 rub.
Tailcoat star - 4 rubles.
With gold parts - 10 rubles.

Cross 1 st. - 42 rubles;
Tailcoat cross 5 rub.

In Russian faleristics and among collectors, the order ribbon (moire) of red color began to be called Alexandrovskaya. There were different medals on the Alexander ribbon in Russia.

(On Plate LXVI figure 1 is an image of the Knight of the Order.)*

The Order of the Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky was a Russian state award for a long time - in the period 1725 -1917. This award was established immediately after the death of Peter the Great by his wife, Catherine I. The Order of St. A. Nevsky was the 3rd Russian award.

How the order was established

The idea of ​​establishing such an order came to the king after the signing of a peace treaty with Sweden, which took place in the city of Nystadt. But according to Peter, the award should have been given only for military exploits, by analogy with the Order of St. Louis, which existed in France.

There is information that back in 1722, 3 years before Peter’s death, order insignia had already been minted. In particular, scarlet order ribbons were made. This was done in a similar manner to the French order, the ribbon of which was distinguished by the same shade. But the emperor never had time to establish the award.

On May 21, 1725, when Peter’s eldest daughter, Anna, married the Duke of Holstein, Catherine I presented the insignia of the Order of St. A. Nevsky to her daughter’s husband and some guests. Among them were military and civilians, 15 people in total. In addition, 4 court grooms received the award.

On June 22, 1725, the Empress awarded the insignia of the order to Lieutenant General M. A. Matyushkin. Mikhail Afanasyevich made a great contribution to the capture of Baku. After the end of the war with Persia, the king entrusted him with managing all the territories located on the shores of the Caspian Sea.

Nystad Peace

The Northern War, which lasted more than 20 years - from 1700 to 1721. was completed with the signing of a peace treaty. This significant event took place on August 30, 1721, old style, in the town of Nystadt. On the Russian side, the document was signed by Y. Bruce and A. Osterman. With the Swedish - J. Liljenstedt and O. Strömfeld.

As a result, the border between Russia and Sweden, which had previously been established by the Treaty of Stolbovo, signed in 1617, changed. The Swedish side agreed to the annexation of some of its territories to the Russian Empire. Russia, in turn, had to return Finland to Sweden and pay compensation.

How the order was established

St. A. Nevsky's Day is August 30th. It was then, in 1725, that another award of the new order took place. This date is considered the day of its establishment. Then Catherine I herself became a holder of the order. In addition, 22 people were awarded along with the queen. Almost all of them, with one exception, were holders of the Order of St. A. the First-Called. The knights were King Augustus II of Poland and Frederick IV, the Danish ruler.

Among the recipients were other high-ranking officials, in particular A.D. Menshikov, G.I. Golovkin, A.I. Repnin, Ya.V. Bruce. 3 dukes, who were relatives of the royal family, became knights.

This moment is considered the date of foundation of the Order of St. A. Nevsky. It began to be awarded to people holding the rank of lieutenant general or higher. Civilians who were privy councilors could become cavaliers. However, there were exceptions. Before Paul's accession, more than 60 persons with the rank of major general or state councilor became cavaliers.

From this day on, a tradition arose to award this order to holders of the Order of St. A. the First-Called. First of all, this concerned foreigners and royal children. From that moment on, our compatriots first became knights of St. A. Nevsky, and then St. A. the First-Called.

Alexander Nevskiy

During the long war with Sweden, Peter the Great revived the veneration of Prince A.Ya. Nevsky. This was done because Alexander Yaroslavich at the beginning of the 13th century became famous for his victories over the Swedish troops. Everyone knew about the Battle of the Neva and the Battle of the Ice. On the eve of the Battle of Kulikovo, the relics of the prince were discovered. At the same time, the tradition of celebrating Alexander appeared.

Russian military leaders also turned to the prince’s patronage later. In 1547, A. Nevsky was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church. In 1710, on the bank of the Neva, where, according to historical information, Alexander defeated the Swedish troops in the Battle of the Neva, Peter the Great founded a monastery named after the Holy Trinity and St. A. Nevsky.

But that legendary battle took place in the wrong place. The battle took place 40 miles above. It was there that a wooden church was built in honor of the significant event in the 16th century. Most likely, another battle took place on the site where the monastery was founded. In 1301, Swedish troops were defeated by Andrew, son of Alexander. At the same time, the Landskrona fortress was demolished.

On August 30, 1721, the Peace of Nystad was signed. On the same day, the Tsar decided to transfer the relics of A. Nevsky, which had previously been in Vladimir, to St. Petersburg. Thus, the prince was to become the patron of the new capital. 2 years after the conclusion of the peace treaty, the king again visited the monastery. At the same time, he approved a decree on the transfer of the saint’s relics to the Alexander Monastery.”

This decree was carried out on August 11, 1723. All ancient Vladimir saw off the shrine. The ark in which the relics were placed moved overland through Moscow and Tver. Then they sailed along Lake Ilmen. Through Novgorod they got to Ladoga and along the Neva they ended up in St. Petersburg.

Archimandrite Sergius was always with the relics. This is what the Holy Synod decided. The Ark was greeted by a huge number of people along the entire road. Since the relics did not have time to be delivered to St. Petersburg for the anniversary of the signing of the Peace of Nystadt, they were left in the church in Shlisselburg, and they were delivered to the capital exactly a year later. Everything took place in a very solemn atmosphere.

The king met the ark in Ust-Izhora. As they approached St. Petersburg, galleys joined the procession. Accompanied by cannon shots, the Tsar personally carried the ark into the church at the A. Nevsky Monastery. Then the church was consecrated. Below it is the lower Annunciation Church. Its consecration took place 2 years later. Below it is a tomb in which some members of the royal family and high-ranking officials were buried, in particular Generalissimo A. Suvorov. The relics of these people remained until 1790. After that, they were moved to the Trinity Cathedral of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.

Badges of the order

For 72 years, the Order of St. A. Nevsky did not have a Statute. The same thing happened with the Order of St. A. the First-Called. Statutes for these awards appeared only in 1797 under Tsar Paul. It was then that the “Establishment” came out, which stated what the appearance of the award badges should be.

It was assumed that the order was to be placed on a scarlet intershoulder ribbon. The cross was the same color, with double-headed eagles between its ends. In the center was depicted A. Nevsky on horseback. On the back of the sign was the saint's monogram. The star was made of silver, in its middle was the monogram of A. Nevsky. Around him was the motto of the order: “for labor and the Fatherland.”

The order's clothing was a long scarlet cap. It was made of velvet and trimmed with white taffeta. The hat is also velvet, but black. A white and scarlet feather was attached to it. Like other orders, this award had its own seal, the diameter of which was 7.5 cm. An image of a star was placed on it. There was a ribbon around it, to which a cross was attached.

The order had a master of ceremonies. He was supposed to wear a sign around his neck. The secretary and 2 heralds wore them in their buttonholes. The clothes of the master of ceremonies differed only in the epancha, the length of which was shorter and there was no star on it. In addition, this person was entitled to a cane with a knob.

Over time, the signs have changed several times. This first happened in 1819. The scarlet glass that covered the fields of the cross was replaced with enamel. The first copies with enamel were made by A.V. Panov.

After this, in 1856, the shape of the eagles changed. They began to correspond to the eagles on the country's coat of arms - their wings became raised. The following year, the standard of gold from which the signs were minted changed. 72 was replaced by 56. Since 1845, a double-headed eagle was placed instead of A. Nevsky on signs given to non-Christians.

Since 1855, crossed swords began to be placed on the signs with which a person was awarded for military exploits. Until 1854, those awarded with badges also received sewn stars. The latter were made of silver thread. In addition, silver sparkles, foil, and other details were used in their manufacture.

Similar products differed from each other in size. They were not required to be returned to the Chapter after the death of the owner. Since 1854, when awarding the order, stars made of 84-carat silver were presented.

Order badges trimmed with diamonds

The “Establishment” adopted under Paul specifically spoke about the rules for wearing signs that were decorated with precious stones. It was noted that no person is allowed to wear insignia of any order, decorated with diamonds or other jewelry. The only exceptions were signs granted by the king.

As a result, signs with jewels began to be considered senior degrees of the order. Such awards were allowed to remain in the gentleman's family. Such products were quite expensive (up to 20 thousand rubles in banknotes). Holders of such badges had the right to hand them over to the Emperor’s Cabinet and were given an amount equal to the price of the award. This is what, for example, Borodin’s hero N. Raevsky did, who used the funds he received to give his daughter a gift. A tenth of the award's cost went to charity.

In total, from the release of the “Establishment” to the 17th year of the 20th century, 1275 individuals received diamond signs. Among them were 24 orders with swords. 5 people received signs with jewelry twice. Among them are Count F. Palen, composer S. Taneyev.

Temple of the Order

From the moment of consecration, the Trinity Cathedral became the temple of the Order of St. A. Nevsky. The consecration procedure was conducted by Metropolitan Gabriel. The ceremony was attended by award winners, including Tsarina Catherine II. The date of consecration is August 30, 1790. At the same time, the relics of the saint were brought into the cathedral amid cannon fire.

The queen gave luxurious gifts to the temple. Among them was the golden image of “Prayer for the Cup,” made by Italian masters, several expensive paintings by famous artists, and much more. The following year, the Feodorovsky building was reconstructed. There, a special hall was built for holders of the order. In 1797, the entrance to the cathedral was decorated with an image of the order.

Every year on August 30, all the cavaliers were located near the tomb of A. Nevsky. It was silver. It was made in the mid-18th century according to a sketch of the Grotto at the Mint. Today the tomb is an exhibit of the Hermitage. On the left side of her was the image of the Vladimir Mother of God. According to legend, it was owned by Alexander Nevsky himself.

Since 1743, a religious procession has been held on this holiday. People walked along Nevsky Prospekt to the Lavra. Knights of the order and even kings took part in this event.

Charity

According to the tsar's decree, starting from 1747, holders of the order were obliged to engage in charity. They were supposed to supervise Moscow and St. Petersburg orphanages. They were in charge of the Invalid Home in Moscow and other institutions. The cavaliers were required to monitor shelters for the poor and do much more.

Tsar Paul founded a special commission. And it included 6 holders of the order. The task of the commission was to monitor all institutions sponsored by the order. The members of the commission changed every four years. In addition to this charitable activity, gentlemen had to pay a one-time payment of 200 rubles to the Chapter. The money went to the needs of sponsored institutions.

Tsar Alexander II doubled the contribution in 1960. The amount remained unchanged until the 17th year. The fee was also required to be paid for attaching the seals of the order to the award certificate. If swords were included in the reward, the gentleman was obliged to pay 200 rubles.

Symbols, shrines and awards of the Russian state. part 1 Kuznetsov Alexander

Order of Saint Prince Alexander Nevsky

Peter I conceived the establishment of the Order of the Holy Prince Alexander Nevsky back in 1724, when transferring the relics of the blessed prince, defender of the Russian land, from Vladimir to St. Petersburg. During the preparation of the campaign to Persia, Peter I developed the main provisions of the statute of the future order, but did not have time to award this order to anyone. The order was first granted by Catherine I, after the death of Peter I, on May 23, 1725 - on the day of the marriage of Peter's daughter Anna to the Duke of Holstein-Gottorp Karl Friedrich.

Order of Alexander Nevsky

Peter I intended the new order “to reward exploits” on the battlefields, that is, he intended to make it exclusively a military award: it was not for nothing that he named it after the outstanding commander who defended Russian lands from the Swedish and German invaders. However, Catherine I, having granted the order to the guests who arrived at the wedding, violated this plan. Since then, the Order of Alexander Nevsky was given according to the statute “as a reward for labor raised for the fatherland,” that is, for merit in both military and civil service. A special military order - St. George - was established only 44 years later.

The cross of the Order of Alexander Nevsky is gold, covered on both sides with red enamel. However, this type of cross was regulated only by a decree of 1816; earlier, the insignia of the order were made of “ruby” glass. Between the ends of the cross were golden double-headed eagles under the imperial crown and with outstretched wings. In the middle of the cross is an image of Alexander Nevsky, in a red and blue robe, sitting on a white horse. The horse could be turned to the right or to the left. This image usually includes a hand blessing the cloud rider. On the reverse side of the cross is the Latin monogram SA (St. Alexander) under the princely crown. The star of the order is silver, in the center of it on a white field is the SA monogram, around it on a red field is the order’s motto: “For labor and the fatherland.” The red moire ribbon of the order was worn over the left shoulder, the star was worn on the left side of the chest. The rules for wearing the Order of Alexander Nevsky had their own characteristics: the cross was worn on a ribbon at the hip, with a star only on special occasions, usually, with a frock coat, on the neck, on a narrower ribbon. The cross and star, awarded for military exploits since 1855, began to be joined by two crossed swords passing through the middle.

Star of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky, decorated with diamonds

The Order of Alexander Nevsky was quite high in its statute - it was not divided into degrees or classes. Its cavaliers were all those awarded “St. Andrew the First-Called”: if they did not have the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky before, it was awarded to them along with the St. Andrew’s Ribbon. But this happened infrequently. The Order of St. Andrew the First-Called was awarded before the Order of Alexander Nevsky to members of the imperial family, as well as European monarchs, members of their families, foreign statesmen and military figures. In 1812, the Order of Alexander Nevsky was awarded only six times (among those awarded were the famous generals N.N. Raevsky, P.P. Konovnitsyn, A.I. Osterman-Tolstoy). In the same year, six more people who already had simple signs of the order received diamond ones (including F. P. Uvarov, M. A. Miloradovich, D. S. Dokhturov, M. I. Platov).

The Order sometimes noted “special” services to the Tsar. Thus, at the beginning of 1826, the Order of Alexander Nevsky was awarded to Count K. F. Tol (with diamonds) “for zeal on the day of December 14, 1825” and to L. O. Roth for the defeat of the rebellious Chernigov regiment raised by the Decembrists. And by the end of the century, “Alexander Nevsky” became a traditional award for elderly dignitaries who held high government positions. Many high-ranking Alexander Cavaliers - in civilian, military and court uniforms, with a red ribbon over their left shoulder - fill the meeting room of the State Council in the famous painting by I. E. Repin (1902).

Badge, star and ribbon of the Order of Alexander Nevsky, belonging to Alexander I

The hero of K. M. Stanyukovich’s story “The Terrible Admiral” was also awarded the Order of Alexander Nevsky: “As before, he invariably got up at six o’clock, took a cold bath, drank coffee with hot “toast” and cold ham, and, dressed at eight o’clock in a frock coat (and on holidays in a frock coat with epaulettes), with the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky around his neck and with George in his buttonhole, he went, no matter what the weather, on his usual walk, which lasted an hour or two and entertained the old man.” It is well known that the prototype of the “formidable admiral” was the writer’s father, Admiral M. N. Stanyukovich. Stanyukovich Sr. served for a long time on the Black Sea, in his youth he sailed on ships of the English fleet under the command of Admiral Nelson, and in his old age he was transferred to St. Petersburg, where he received an honorary coastal position - on the Admiralty Council.

The Order of Alexander Nevsky, as already mentioned, was a high award. Neither P. S. Nakhimov nor V. A. Kornilov, contemporaries and associates of M. N. Stanyukovich, could reach his rank. But the names of the heroes of the defense of Sevastopol are known to everyone, and M. N. Stanyukovich is remembered only in connection with his son the writer. Suffice it to say that the admiral was transferred to St. Petersburg at the very height of the defense of Sevastopol in 1855, and he received the Order of Alexander Nevsky only in 1862, after 7 years of meetings in the Admiralty Council, i.e. when he was actually no longer out of work . The awarding of M. N. Stanyukovich with the order was more a tribute to old age than recognition of his military merits.

Badge of the Order of Alexander Nevsky with swords

One of the most worthy holders of the Order of Alexander Nevsky was the remarkable Russian traveler and scientist Pyotr Petrovich Semenov-Tyan-Shansky. He is depicted with the insignia of this particular order in I. E. Repin’s painting “Meeting of the State Council.” The scientific activity of P. P. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky was extremely diverse; he was a botanist, entomologist, geologist, but above all, a geographer. His greatest merit lies in the exploration of Inner Asia. Before his travels, almost nothing was known about the Tien Shan; perhaps the most complete source of information about the Heavenly Mountains were the notes of the Buddhist monk Xuan Zang dating back to the 7th century. The journey of P. P. Semenov in 1856–1857 was a genuine discovery of the mountains of Central Asia, and for his expedition he was awarded in 1858 the Order of St. Vladimir, 4th degree.

Metal star of the Order of Alexander Nevsky

Since 1849, the entire life and scientific activity of P. P. Semenov has been connected with the Imperial Russian Geographical Society, opened in 1845 and uniting the advanced scientific and social forces of the country. In 1873, P. P. Semenov was elected vice-chairman of the society, that is, he actually became its leader, and remained so until the end of his life. He was the direct organizer of numerous expeditions to Central Asia - N. M. Przhevalsky, N. N. Potanin, P. A. Kropotkin, M. V. Pevtsov, as well as N. N. Miklouho-Maclay to New Guinea. Fundamental works on the geography of Russia were published under his leadership. The outstanding merits of P. P. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky as vice-chairman of the Geographical Society were awarded in 1881 with an honorary award - the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky.

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