ɪt wʌz ɪstˈæblɪʃt baɪ ˈɛmpɹɛs kˈæθɹɪn aɪ ʌv ɹˈʌʃə, ɪn mˈɛmɚɹi ʌvðə dˈiːdz ʌv sˈeɪnt ˌælɪɡzˈændɚ nˈɛvski, pˈeɪtɹən sˈeɪnt ʌvðə ɹˈʌʃən kˈæpɪɾəl ʌv sˈeɪnt pˈiːɾɚzbˌɜːɡ, fɔːɹ dᵻfˈɛndɪŋ ɹˈʌʃə ɐɡˈɛnst fˈɔːɹən ɪnvˈeɪdɚz.
It was established by Empress Catherine I of Russia, in memory of the deeds of Saint Alexander Nevsky, patron Saint of the Russian capital of Saint Petersburg, for defending Russia against foreign invaders.