Order of St. Andrew

IMR001  Орден Святого апостола Андрея Первозванного

• Order established in 1698 by Tsar Peter the Great, in honour of Saint Andrew, the first apostle of Jesus and patron saint of Russia.
• Order awarded for the most outstanding civilian or military merit.
• The insignia of the order consisted of: Badge - an enameled crowned black double-headed eagle bearing a blue St. Andrew's Cross (saltire) with St. Andrew crucified upon it; on the arms of the saltire were the Latin letters 'SAPR' ('St. Andrew, Patron of Russia'). It was worn on a pale blue sash over the right shoulder, or on special occasions on an elaborate 'collar' (chain). Star - eight-pointed silver star bearing a miniature of the badge on a golden background at the center, surrounded by the motto "For Faith and Loyalty" (Russian: Za Veru i Vernost) on a blue ring.
• Andrew the Apostle - was a Christian Apostle and the brother of Saint Peter.

Imperial Russia