ðɪ ˈɔːɹdɚ wʌz ɚɹˈɪdʒɪnəli ɐwˈɔːɹdᵻd tə dɪstˈɪŋɡwɪʃt ɹˈʌʃən sˈɪɾɪzənz hˌuː hæd sˈɜːvd ðɛɹ kˈʌntɹi wɪð ˈɑːnɚ, mˈoʊstli θɹuː pəlˈɪɾɪkəl ɔːɹ mˈɪlətˌɛɹi sˈɜːvɪs.
The order was originally awarded to distinguished Russian citizens who had served their country with honor, mostly through political or military service.