History of Russia: Exhibition “For Service and Bravery”. Marking 250 Years of the Military Order of St George” staged at the Hermitage

The exhibition “For Service and Bravery”. Marking 250 Years of the Military Order of St George” will be open at the Hermitage (St. Petersburg) until March 3, 2020.

The exhibition marks the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the Order of St George the Great Martyr.

On 26 November (7 December New Style) 1769, on the Orthodox feast day of St George, Catherine II placed upon herself the insignia of the 1st class of the new order. The order had four classes, the badges of which differed in size, the presence of a star and how they were to be worn. According to the statute of the order, it was to be awarded to staff officers and company officers for personal valour displayed during battles.