Established the Order of Merit for the Fatherland

2 March 1994

On March 2, 1994 under the decree of the RF President was established the Order of Merit for the Fatherland. The Order is the second by significance of the Russian state awards after the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called.

This award is given to the citizens for the outstanding merits related to the Russian statehood development, achievements in work, strengthening of peace, friendship and cooperation between people, for a major contribution to the defense of the Fatherland.

The Order has four classes, the first class is the highest one. The Order decorations of the 1st and 2nd classes comprise a cross and a star, the decorations of the 3rd and the 4th classes – only a cross. The   Order of Merit for the Fatherland is awarded sequentially: those nominated for the Order of the 4th class should already be the holders of the medal of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland.

The Order decoration of the 1st class is made of silver with gilt and represents an equilateral cross widening to the ends. Its recto is covered with ruby enamel. On the recto there is a laid on imprint of the State Emblem of the Russian Federation; on the recto – a round medallion; on its circumference is written the Order motto: ‘Benefit, honor and glory’. In the medallion center one can see the year of the Order institution – 1994. The Order ribbon is silk, watered, red.

The servicemen having distinguished themselves in action are awarded with the Order of Merit for the Fatherland with the imprint of swords.

The Order project was elaborated by the Committee for the State awards. The idea of the Order decoration form belongs to a Committee member, the State Historical museum employee V. A. Durov. The idea was realized by the People’s Artist of Russia, the author of the State Emblem drawing E. N. Ukhnalev and the main painter of the St.-Petersburg mint A. N. Baklanov.

From 1994 to 1998 the Order of Merit for the Fatherland was the highest state award of Russia. On its basis was developed the Sign of the Russian Federation President. In 1998 the role of the highest state award was given over to the reestablished Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, and the Order of Merit for the Fatherland took the second place in the Russian state awards system.

 

Lit.: О государственных наградах Российской Федерации // Российская газета. 1994. 10 марта (№ 46); Орден «За заслуги перед Отечеством» [Электронный ресурс] // Ордена и медали России. 2006-2018. URL: http://www.rusorden.ru/?nr=rf&nt=3.