Order of St. Andrew

'Order of St. Andrew First Called Apostle was the first and the most valued order of Russia.

It was established in 1698 by czar Peter the Great.

Motto : "For Faithfulness and Loyalty" ("Za Veru i Vernost").

Ribbon colour : blue.

Additional accessories : chain for jubilant occasions.

Since 1740 every newly-born Velikiy Kniaz (Grand Prince) was a cavalier of the Order of St. Andrew by his birth right because St. Andrew is considered Heavenly Protector of Russia.

The extraordinary significance of this order is supported by the fact that its new cavalier was considered to become at the same time the cavalier of the Order of St. Aleksandr Nevskiy, Order of the White Eagle, Order of St. Anna first degree, and Order St. Stanislaus first degree