In the website of the Kremlin, you will find the transcript of the Inauguration of Vladimir Putin as President of Russia, for his second term - May 7, 2004 :
http://www.kremlin.ru/eng/news.shtml#64218
"The ceremony to inaugurate Vladimir Putin as President of Russia is taking place at the Kremlin in the Grand Kremlin Palace, which symbolises the continuity of the traditions of Russian statehood. (...).
Announcer: The ceremony to inaugurate Vladimir Putin as President of Russia is now beginning. The state flag of the Russian Federation and the Presidential Standard are carried into the hall.
The ceremonial music played by the Presidential Orchestra is called the «Welcoming March.» The guards are soldiers from the first company of the Presidential Regiment. Aside from the usual parade uniform, they also have a historic uniform, the colours of which come from the Semyonov and Preobrazhensky Regiments of Peter the Great’s time. The uniforms’ cut and the shape of the shako date back to the Patriotic War of 1812.
The two-headed eagle is much used in the decoration of the halls of the Grand Kremlin Palace. Russia inherited this symbol from Byzantium. The holy martyr St. George, shown on the coat of arms of Moscow and of Russia, is known from the times of ancient Rome. On the Russian state symbols, however, St. George faces the other way than in Western European heraldry. Russian state protocol reflects the influences of various eras and also Russia’s own unique traditions.
The Presidential Standard flies from the dome of the President’s residence. It is raised to the accompaniment of the national anthem. This will take place in just a few minutes, once the President swears the oath and officially takes office.
The flag bearers march ceremonially through the St. George and St. Alexander Halls to the St. Andrew Hall where the inauguration is taking place. The President will swear an oath to faithfully serve the people. (...).
Announcer: The Constitution of the Russian Federation and the Presidential Emblem are carried into the hall.
This copy of the Constitution is a specially printed and bound single copy for the head of state. This unique edition is kept in the Presidential Library and the presidents take oath upon it.
The Presidential Emblem was made neither in Moscow nor in St. Petersburg, but at the «Russian Crafts» centre in Yaroslavl. The Emblem includes the cross of the Order «For Services to the Fatherland» first degree and also the motto «Use, Honour, Glory». But the Presidential Emblem is not an order and is not included among state awards.
What is interesting is that the emblem has been made to last through the centuries. The secret here lies not just in the particular qualities of the precious metals used to make it. The emblem’s chain is made of 17 links on the reverse side of which are inscribed the surname, name, patronymic and date of inauguration of each president. Today, only the fourth of the 17 links will be filled, thus the chain will serve many Russian heads of state yet to come.
Although the emblem is not a state award, it is kept in the hall of awards in the presidential residence, the Kremlin’s Senate Building. The dome of this building can be seen from Red Square. (...)".
Here is a better pic of one of the rosettes with the motto: " Benefit, Honour and Glory". Sorry, I can't do better, I am afraid.
And now the Double Headed Eagle.
In this site is posted a pic of the presidential Emblem.
And now, the video....
You can see video records of Vladimir Putin’s inauguration ceremony as President of Russia (7 May 2004) on the official Kremlin site :
http://www.kremlin.ru/eng/articles/inaug...2004.shtml
Interesting to notice that the President does not wear the Presidential Emblem, even if it is presented to him with the Constitution...
Ch.
