Order of Saint Olga
| Insignia of Saint Olga | |
|---|---|
 |
|
Awarded by the  Russian Empire |
|
| Type | award for distinction |
| Eligibility | women |
| Awarded for | Public and community service |
| Description | gold or silver Byzantine cross with light blue enamel |
| Motto | "For the Benefit of Neighbours" |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 6 March [O.S. 21 February] 1913 |
| First awarded | 15 April [O.S. 2 April] 1916 |
| Last awarded | 15 April [O.S. 2 April] 1916 |
| Total awarded | 1 |
| Distinct recipients |
Vera Nikolayevna Panayeva (Вера Николаевна Панаева) |
The Insignia of Saint Olga (Russian: Знак отли́чия Свято́й Равноапо́стольной княги́ни О́льги) was an award that briefly existed from 1913 to 1917. It was established on 6 March [O.S. 21 February] 1913 by Emperor Nicholas II of Russia to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Romanov Dynasty. It was designated as a special award only for females, "in consideration of the merits of women in the various arenas of public and community service, as well as to the deeds and works for the benefit of their neighbours."
The "Insignia of Saint Olga" was only awarded once before the Russian Revolution toppled the monarchy.
The creation of the award was announced to coincide with the official anniversary of the Romanov dynasty in 1913; it was later named in honour of Saint Olga (c. 890–969), who was among those who first preached Christianity to the people of Kievan Rus'. It was not officially approved until July 1915.
The award was to have the dates of the Romanov Empire anniversary inscribed, "February, 21st Day, 1613-1913." It was designated for three grades of merit:
According to the bylines for the award, it was only to be awarded only twice per year: 23 April, the birthday of Empress Alexandra; and 14 November, the birthday of the Dowager Empress Maria Fyodorovna.
The regulations and bureaucratic delays of implementing the award resulted in it being awarded only one time, during World War I. The recipient was Vera Nikolayevna Panayeva (Вера Николаевна Панаева), a Russian widow who had lost three sons to fighting in the war.
Though the award has been translated as "The Order of Saint Olga" (Орденом Святой Ольги), it was not given that specific name or designation; being instead officially titled "The Insignia of the Holy Saint Princess Olga" (Знак отличия Святой Равноапостольной Княгини Ольги)).
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