The Order of St Vladimir service was intended for 140 people and was the largest of the Order services for the quantity of items that it contained. This is because, unlike other high awards, there was no limit to the number of holders of the Order of St Vladimir.
The Imperial Order of St Vladimir was founded by Catherine the Great on 22 September 1782 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of her reign, and was an award for both civil servants and military personnel. The church of the Order was originally St Sophia’s Cathedral in Tsarskoye Selo and later the Cathedral of St Vladimir in St Petersburg.
