Throughout the existence of the Soviet Union, the highest award of Russia was the Order of Lenin. He was awarded for outstanding services, the results achieved in various fields. Currently, the highest award in Russia is the Order of St. Apostle A. the First-Called. There are a number of awards that can be assigned to this category. They will be considered in the framework of this article.
Brief description of the main awards
The Order of the Holy Apostle A. the First-Called is the highest award of Russia with state status. It can be awarded to citizens of the country for outstanding services that contributed to the prosperity, glory and greatness of our state.
The Order of St. George is the highest award of Russia with military status. It is awarded to senior and senior officers for conducting victorious military operations in the attack on the Fatherland of an external enemy. She has 4 degrees, which are awarded sequentially. The star, along with the sign, is worn by gentlemen of the I-II degrees.
The Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" is awarded for outstanding merit in work, to the country, as well as for a significant contribution to the defense of the homeland. The number of degrees and the wearing of awards is assumed to be the same as that of the Order of St. George. Military personnel receive this award with the image of swords. This order has a medal of the same name, which is awarded for services in various sectors of the economy, contributions made to protect the homeland, successes achieved in maintaining the combat readiness of various military units, for various services in military service, strengthening the rule of law, law and state security.
Award list of our state
The number of such incentives in the Russian Federation is many. In this regard, to characterize each of them within the framework of one article seems unrealistic. Therefore, we give a list of Russian awards. In addition to the above, the orders include:
- A. Nevsky;
- Suvorov;
- Zhukov;
- Ushakova;
- “For military merits”;
- Kutuzov;
- Honor
- "For marine merits";
- Nakhimov;
- Courage;
- Friendship;
- "Parental Glory."
Special insignia includes the Golden Star medal, awarded to individuals with a special title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
The St. George Cross, “For Impeccable Service”, is an insignia.
Medals, in addition to those listed above, include:
- “For courage”;
- Zhukov;
- Suvorov;
- Ushakova;
- Nesterova;
- Pushkin;
- “Defender of a free Russia”;
- "For the salvation of the lost";
- “For merits in space exploration”;
- “For the difference in the protection of public order”;
- “For the difference in the protection of the state border”;
- "For works on agriculture";
- “For the development of railways”;
- "Parental Glory."
Legal basis
In our country, the law of the Russian Federation "On State Awards" is in force. According to him, the collective can apply for the award of one of these after a joint discussion and adoption of an appropriate decision.
In addition to this legal document, decrees of the President of the Russian Federation, as well as the “Regulation on awards in the Russian Federation” are applicable in the area under consideration. The latter states that illegal manufacture, including those having close similarities, wearing, selling, and forging state awards not only of our state, but also of the successor of which it is the USSR, entail liability, even criminal. This applies only to state awards of the Russian Federation.
The awards, which are anniversary, established by various federal and regional bodies, religious and public associations, may be in free circulation.
Gold Star Medal
The Hero of Russia award is the highest rank awarded for certain services to both the state and the people associated with the heroic deed accomplished by this citizen.
Individuals receiving this award will be presented with a diploma and the Golden Star medal with it. In contrast to the similar title that existed in the USSR, the considered one is awarded once in a lifetime.
It should be awarded only for a perfect heroic deed, but the history of the award shows that this award found its heroes in the form of officials.
The medal practically repeats that in the USSR - a five-pointed star with dihedral rays on the front side.
On the back, capital letters are engraved with “HERO OF RUSSIA”, the edges are limited by a thin rim. On this side of the upper beam is the number of this award.
This medal is connected with a ring and an eye to a metal block having gilding. Inside, it is covered with the colors of the Russian tricolor.
On the back there is a pin with a nut, which are used for attaching to clothing.
Order of A. the First-Called
As already noted, he belongs to the highest awards of Russia at present. The history of this order has more than 300 years with a break for the duration of the existence of the USSR. This award was established in 1698 by decree of Peter the Great. The choice of Andrew the First-Called for the name was intended to emphasize the Christian essence of the country, since he was the baptist of our state and one of the first disciples of Jesus Christ.
It was canceled in 1918, reintroduced in 1998. This award includes the order ribbon and chain, sign and star.
Characterization of the sign of the order in question
It has the following dimensions: height - 8.6 cm, width - 6 cm. It is an elongated cross made in silver, which is located on top of a two-headed eagle, symbolizing the coat of arms of Russia. The cross is covered with gold and blue paint on top. On it there is an image of the crucified apostle, whose name is called the award.
At each end of the cross of the Order of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called in the Russian Federation are English letters made in the capital form: S, A, P, R, which make up the abbreviation translated into Russian as “St. Andrew the Patron Saint of Russia”.
The Russian coat of arms, located under the cross, is made of gold. The paws of an eagle support the lower part of the cross. On the heads of the eagle and between them, as it should be for the national coat of arms, crowns are located. The flip side also includes an image of the coat of arms, but produced in white enamel. On the chest is an inscription made in black enamel: “FOR FAITH AND FAITHFUL”.
Near the middle crown there is a hole through which a cross is attached to the tape. When rewarding a fleet or commander, two gilded swords are attached to the sign, which are crossed among themselves. Placed above the middle crown. Dimensions of swords: length - 4.7, width - 0.3 cm.
Characteristic of the star of the order in question
It has a height of 8.2 cm. It is a silver eight-pointed. Inside there is a red medallion with a blue border, in the center - the coat of arms of Russia. On the chest of the eagles is painted the St. Andrew's cross.
At the top of the medallion you can see the same inscription as on the cross, but made in gold letters, below are laurel branches made of green enamel. They are crossed among themselves and tied with a golden ribbon. The star is attached to clothes with a pin located on the back.
Images of swords during the rewarding of fleets and commanders are located on top of the middle rays of the star in front of the medallion.
Characteristics of the order chain and ribbon of the award in question
The chain consists of 17 links connected by three rings. They depict images of a red rosette, which has golden rays with an imitation of radiance, a two-headed eagle, whose chest is decorated with a painted figure of G. the Victorious, a cartouche with a gilded monogram of the founder of the award. The order ribbon has a height of 1.2 cm and a width of 4.5 cm.
In the case of awarding officers decorated with mini swords. The latter can be worn separately on uniform as a rosette. Its diameter is 2.2 cm.
Order wearing order
The badge of this state award of the Russian Federation can be worn on the order chain, as well as on the shoulder strap located on the right shoulder. It is put on in especially solemn occasions.
The star of the order is worn on the left side of the chest.
Finally
Thus, it is impossible to say unequivocally that the highest award of Russia is only the order of St. Apostle A. the First-Called. There is another higher rank - Hero of the Russian Federation, which is awarded along with the Golden Star medal. For the military, such an award is the Order of St. George. It was practically not considered in the framework of this article, since it is a military, and not a state award.