The Order of Christ, also called the Military Order of Christ, was founded in 1318 by King Denis of Portugal and confirmed by papal bull in 1319 as a successor to the dissolved Knights Templar, established to honour former Templar knights, initially headquartered at Castro Marim before relocating to Tomar in 1356. A Catholic military-religious order, it retained a religious character under papal sovereignty until its secularisation in 1789 under Queen Maria I. It survives today as an active Portuguese honorific award, presented by the President of Portugal across six ranks from Knight to Grand Collar to recognise relevant service to the country, and remains one of Portugal's most prestigious decorations.
Facts
Classification
Kind of orderChristian Military and Chivalric Orders 1 ApostolateMilitary and Chivalric Service 1 Connections
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Order of Christ (Portugal)
WikipediaIntroduction, kind of order
The Military Order of Christ is a Portuguese honorific order.
Introduction, apostolate
The Military Order of Christ is a Portuguese honorific order.
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