Order of Saint Olga
Encyclopedia
The Order of Saint Olga existed briefly as a decoration
for women from 1916 to 1917. It was awarded by the Russian Tsar only to women, but ceased with the fall of the Romanov dynasty.
The award's title refers to Saint Olga († 969
), who was among those who first proclaimed the Gospel
to the people of Kievan Rus. She paved the way for the country's conversion to Christianity, which took place in 998
under her grandson, St. Vladimir, Equal to the Apostles
.
Currently, the Moscow Patriarchate awards the Order of Saint Olga, Equal of the Apostles, again as a decoration for women. The First Class of this order is awarded only to women who are heads of state. The first woman to be presented with the award in this class was Vaira Vike-Freiberga
, the President of Latvia.
There was also an Order of St Olga and St Sophia awarded by the Kingdom of Greece
as a Royal House order
in four classes:
Order (decoration)
An order or order of merit is a visible honour, awarded by a government, dynastic house or international organization to an individual, usually in recognition of distinguished service to a nation or to humanity. The distinction between orders and decorations is somewhat vague, except that most...
for women from 1916 to 1917. It was awarded by the Russian Tsar only to women, but ceased with the fall of the Romanov dynasty.
The award's title refers to Saint Olga († 969
969
Year 969 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Byzantine Empire :* December 11 – John I Tzimiskes becomes Byzantine Emperor after assassinating Nikephoros II Phokas....
), who was among those who first proclaimed the Gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
to the people of Kievan Rus. She paved the way for the country's conversion to Christianity, which took place in 998
998
Year 998 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Otto III retakes the city of Rome and reinstates his cousin, Pope Gregory V, after mutilating and blinding his rival, Antipope John XVI.* St...
under her grandson, St. Vladimir, Equal to the Apostles
Vladimir I of Kiev
Vladimir Sviatoslavich the Great Old East Slavic: Володимѣръ Свѧтославичь Old Norse as Valdamarr Sveinaldsson, , Vladimir, , Volodymyr, was a grand prince of Kiev, ruler of Kievan Rus' in .Vladimir's father was the prince Sviatoslav of the Rurik dynasty...
.
Currently, the Moscow Patriarchate awards the Order of Saint Olga, Equal of the Apostles, again as a decoration for women. The First Class of this order is awarded only to women who are heads of state. The first woman to be presented with the award in this class was Vaira Vike-Freiberga
Vaira Vike-Freiberga
Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga was the sixth President of Latvia, the first female President of Latvia and the first female leader in eastern Europe. She was elected President of Latvia in 1999 and re-elected in 2003.Dr...
, the President of Latvia.
There was also an Order of St Olga and St Sophia awarded by the Kingdom of Greece
Kingdom of Greece
The Kingdom of Greece was a state established in 1832 in the Convention of London by the Great Powers...
as a Royal House order
Dynastic Orders of Knighthood
A dynastic order of knighthood is an order belonging to the heraldic patrimony of a dynasty, often held by ancient right. These differ from military, religious, and orders of merit belonging to a particular state, having been instituted to reward personal services rendered to a sovereign, dynasty,...
in four classes:
- Grand Cross—with Riband (sash) and Star
- Second Class—with Bow and Star
- Third Class—with Bow
- Fourth Class—with Bow
External links
- Presentation of the Order of St. Olga to Latvian President news article and photographs Royal House Order of Sts. Olga and Sophia (Greece) shows photographs of awards