Origin from 1319
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 Who may join Organisation
OrdinationVowed Religious Profession (not ordained) 2 Practice
Liturgical Language Status
Status TodayLiving tradition, practised today 1 Origins
Origin Period Belief
Defining Doctrinal PositionCatholic Apostolic Magisterial Authority 2 Connections
Belongs to Tradition
Originated In
Source Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent): Order of the Knights of Christ
Uses Liturgical Language
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.
View the Source 2. Islamic Mysticism: A Short History
Alexander Knysh, Brill
Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent): Order of the Knights of Christ
Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent)Originated In: Portugal, Opening article textQuote, Originated In: Portugal, Opening article text
As Portugal was the first country in Europe where the Templars settled (in 1128), so it has been the last to preserve any remnant of that order
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