The Imperial Order of St. Catherine the Great-Martyr
Established on November 24, 1714 by Emperor Peter I “the Great” in memory of the deedsof Empress Catherine Alekseievna, who accompanied her August Spouse during the Prut campaign against the Ottomans. The Order is awarded exclusively to women. The Order has two degrees, the large and small crosses.
Female members of the Russian Imperial House have the hereditary right to this Order and receive its Grand Cross: Grand Duchesses receive it at Holy Baptism, and Princesses of the Blood Imperial upon reaching dynastic majority. The Order may also awarded to women of the nobility for meritorious philanthropic and humanitarian assistance.
Grand Mistress: H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna
Motto: For Love and Fatherland
Order Feast Day: November 24/ December 7
Some Current Dames of the Order: H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, Countess Hélène Dvinskaya
Link to Original Source: Website of the Russian Imperial House