The Seal of the Grand-Masters Evrard de Barres and Regnaud de Vichier depict the Dome of the ROCK.

The Order of Christ was the heritage of the Templar Knights. After the annihilation of the templars in France and throughout Europe by King Philip IV (The Fair), the new founded Order of Christ inherited most of the templars' assets. This came about largely due to the importance of the Templars in the formation and reconstruction of Portugal. The templars had great power in Middle Age Portugal, but were also important during the Reconquista of the southern territory from the Moors. Due to the close relation that Portugal mantained with the Templars, many Templar knights made Portugal, and especially the Templar stronghold of Tomar, their promised land after being pursued by accusations of heresy in the Christian world. Seal Barre updated File links The following pages link to this file: Knights Templar Dome of the Rock Order of Christ Categories: GFDL images ... Seal Barre updated File links The following pages link to this file: Knights Templar Dome of the Rock Order of Christ Categories: GFDL images ... The Seal of the Knights — the two riders have been interpreted as a sign of poverty or the duality of monk/soldier. ... A satellite composite image of Europe Europe is geologically and geographically a peninsula, forming the westernmost part of Eurasia. ... A monarch is a type of ruler or head of state. ... Philippe IV, recumbent statue on his tomb, Royal Necropolis, Saint Denis Basilica Philip IV (French: Philippe IV; 1268–November 29, 1314) was King of France from 1285 until his death. ... For other uses, see Reconquista (Disambiguation). ... Coat of Arms Renaissance Manuelina style Window at the Convent of Christ Tomar, also known in English as Thomar, is a city of some 30,000 and also a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 351. ... Heresy, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is a theological or religious opinion or doctrine maintained in opposition, or held to be contrary, to the ‘catholic’ or orthodox doctrine of the Christian Church, or, by extension, to that of any church, creed, or religious system, considered as orthodox. ...

The precursors of the order – Foundation of the Tomar headquarters

The "Convento de Cristo" in Tomar, central Portugal.

The Templars were founded around 1118, and soon formed commanderies around Europe to support their efforts in the Holy Land. In 1128 the Templars settled in Portugal. Download high resolution version (768x1024, 216 KB)((templarplaces ) Photo by Cristian Chirita 2004 Contact Info: Cristian. ... Download high resolution version (768x1024, 216 KB)((templarplaces ) Photo by Cristian Chirita 2004 Contact Info: Cristian. ... The Seal of the Knights — the two riders have been interpreted as a sign of poverty or the duality of monk/soldier. ... Events Knights Templar founded Baldwin of Le Bourg succeeds his cousin Baldwin I as king of Jerusalem John II Comnenus succeeds Alexius I as Byzantine emperor Gelasius II succeeds Paschal II as pope Births December 21 - Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury Taira no Kiyomori, Japanese general Deaths January 21 - Pope... A satellite composite image of Europe Europe is geologically and geographically a peninsula, forming the westernmost part of Eurasia. ... The phrase The Holy Land (Arabic الأرض المقدسة al-Arḍ ul-Muqaddasah; Hebrew ארץ הקודש;, Standard Hebrew Éreẓ haQodeš, Tiberian Hebrew ʾÉreṣ haqQāḏēš; Latin Terra Sancta) generally refers to Palestine or the Land of Israel. ... Events Pope Honorius II recognizes and confirms the Order of the Knights Templar. ...

Floor Plan of Church, Chapter House and Charola

Church in Tomar, It was a time when pentagrams were used in churches.

Dom Gualdim Pais, provincial Master of the Order of the Temple in Portugal had a Castle built in 1160, the Convento de Cristo. The legend says that Gualdim Pais drew lots three times and received, three times, a sign to locate the new Templar fortress on a hill between the river Fria and St. Gregory's creek. Convento de Cristo is living proof of the architectural abilities of the Templars and the Order of Christ. Download high resolution version (944x492, 60 KB)Drawing of Tomar Church Floor plan Drawing By Cristian Chirita Submited By Cristian Chirita File links The following pages link to this file: Convento de Cristo Order of Christ Categories: GFDL images ... Download high resolution version (944x492, 60 KB)Drawing of Tomar Church Floor plan Drawing By Cristian Chirita Submited By Cristian Chirita File links The following pages link to this file: Convento de Cristo Order of Christ Categories: GFDL images ... Tomar mother of all churches File links The following pages link to this file: Order of Christ Categories: GFDL images ... Tomar mother of all churches File links The following pages link to this file: Order of Christ Categories: GFDL images ... Dom Gualdim Pais, portuguese crusader, Templar Friar and Knight of Afonso I of Portugal (1118-1195) was the founder of the city of Tomar. ... Events Erik den helige is succeeded by Karl Sverkersson. ... Images of Medieval Templars HQ in Portugal Templars Round Church in Tomar One of the courtyards: An medieval Clock Cristian Chirita photo 2004 One detail The Kitchen Tomar Castle Cristian Chirita photos Tomar 2004 Links Templars Tomar Categories: Portugal | Crusades | Roman Catholic Orders and Societies | Orders of knighthood | Europe...

The octagonal church is believed to be inspired by the Muslim's Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, which was a model for Templar masons. Christians and Muslims in Middle ages believed that the Dome of the Rock was the Temple of Solomon. Therefore, the Templar churches imitate some features of the Dome of the Rock. The strongest support for the Dome of the Rock as a source of inspiration are the seals; seal images of some Grand-Masters like Evrard de Barres or Regnaud de Vichier. A typical design is an octagon within a circle, eight arches within a round circle. The arcade echoes the Moorish influence overlaid on Gothic principles resulting in an Iberian architecture with rich detail woven into the carved stone elements. Eight walls give the edifice structural stability and also form the Templar Cross Patee within the limits of the octagon. The shape is also an eight-pointed star – the Star of Bethlehem. The number 8 is a mystical one, because it represents the infinite, as it has no beginning or end; eight is also the number of fate, destiny and justice. The octagonal shapes usually represent the link between eternity/God (the circle is symbol of eternity) and Earth (the square). An octagon is a polygon that has eight sides. ... Dome of the Rock in center of Temple Mount The Dome of the Rock (Arabic: قبة الصخرة Qubbat As-Sakhrah) is a famous Islamic shrine in Jerusalem. ... Jerusalem (31°46′ N 35°14′ E; Hebrew: יְרוּשָׁלַיִם Yerushalayim; Arabic: القدس al-Quds; see also names of Jerusalem) is the capital of Israel and an ancient Middle Eastern city of key importance to the religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. ... For the historical era, see Middle Ages. ... Seals of the Knights Templars Officials of religious Orders had their own seals to validate documents approved by the Order. ... Everard des Barres (died 1174) was the third Grand Master of the Knights Templar from 1147 to 1151. ... Iberia can mean: The Iberian peninsula of southwest Europe; That part of it once inhabited by the Iberians, who spoke the Iberian language. ... See also Star of Bethlehem (plant). ... 8 (eight) is the natural number following 7 and preceding 9. ... Earth, also known as the Earth or Terra, is the third planet outward from the Sun. ...

The octagon also represents the Church bringing light to the world. [1]

Several authorities give significations to the construction of Tomar, David J. Evans (in his Cadogan Portugal, p. 338) writes: "The mystical tenets of the Templars are never more apparent than in their architecture; the outer walls of the Convento de Cristo are a mirror image of a stellar constellation, with the Charola taking Orion's position."

Some speculation exists that within this octagonal chapel, called a "Charola", neophyte Templar knights were initiated on horseback. The theory says that to enter the church you must climb down 8 steps, a reason for the descent being to show humility, another reason being that it's much easier for a horse to climb up when in a hurry than down.

Regarding the site of the Tomar castle, there are also some parallels with the site of the Dome of the Rock: on the other side of the river Cedron in Jerusalem, opposite to the temple, was the Hill of the Olive Trees; in Tomar, on the other margin of the Nabão River, is the church of Our Lady of the Olive Trees (Igreja da Nossa Senhora dos olivais). Images of Medieval Templars HQ in Portugal Templars Round Church in Tomar One of the courtyards A medieval Clock One detail The Kitchen Tomar Castle Plan of the castle See also Templars Tomar Categories: Wikipedia cleanup | Portugal | Crusades | Roman Catholic Orders and Societies | Orders of knighthood | Europe buildings and structures...

Still, there are strong reasons which support another source for inspiration for the construction: the Rotonda and Church of Holy Sepulchre. The most important element of the complex is the rotunda which contains the sepulchre itself. The sepulchre stands in an elaborate structure within the rotunda (rotunda – 35 m diameter), surrounded by columns supporting an ornamented, domed roof. The sepulchre itself is surrounded by a circle of twelve columns - groups of three columns between four pairs of square piers. It is possible that the columns for the 4th-century rotunda were removed from their original location on the façade of the Roman temple. Renovation of the piers exposed evidence that the columns had originally been much higher and that the Crusaders cut them in half for use in the 12th-century rotunda. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, called Church of the Resurrection (Anastasis) by Eastern Christians, is a Christian church now within the walled Old City of Jerusalem. ... (3rd century - 4th century - 5th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 4th century was that century which lasted from 301 to 400. ... The numbers and architecture of Roman temples reflect the citys receptivity to all the religions of the world. ... (11th century - 12th century - 13th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. ...

There is a legend about Dom Gualdim Pais hiding the Holy Grail in Tomar. On July 13, 1190, the King of Morocco laid siege to the Templars in Tomar. This test of strength confirmed the Templar's military power and established them as an indispensable presence in the defense of northern Portugal. In Christian mythology, the Holy Grail was the dish, plate, cup or vessel used by Jesus at the Last Supper, said to possess miraculous powers. ... July 13th is the 194th day (195th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 171 days remaining. ... Events March 16 - Massacre and mass-suicide of the Jews of York, England prompted by Crusaders. ... This is a partial list of Kings of Morocco. ...

Gualdim Pais, Master of the Temple in Portugal, died in 1195 after ruling 50 years. Events Priory of St Marys, Bushmead, founded. ...

Suppresion of the Templars – Birth of the Order of Christ

The floor plan of the Dome of the Rock and some lines depicting some symbolic associations.

In 1312, the Templars' order was suppressed by Pope Clement V at the Council of Vienna. Denis of Portugal (1261–1325) instituted a new order, a religious military order under the rule of Saint Benedict, under the name of Christi Militia in 1317 (some sources say August 14, 1318), and Pope John XXII approved this order by a Bull on March 14, 1319 "AD EA EX QVIBVIS". Dome of the Rock Floor Plan and Some speculations The image was created by cristian chirita. ... Events June 15 : Battle near Rozgoni Battle near Thebes Siege of Rostock begins Births November 13 - King Edward III of England Deaths June 19 - Piers Gaveston, favourite of Edward II of England September 7 - King Ferdinand IV of Castile Categories: 1312 ... Clement V, né Bertrand de Gouth (1264 - April 20, 1314) was pope from 1305 to 1314. ... Dinis of Portugal (in English Denis), the Farmer, sixth king of Portugal, was born in October 9, 1261 and died in January 7, 1325 in Santarém. ... Events The Great Famine of 1315-1317. ... August 14 is the 226th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (227th in leap years), with 139 days remaining. ... Events Pope John XXII declares the doctrines of the Franciscans advocating ecclesiastical poverty erroneous End of the reign of Emperor Hanazono of Japan Emperor Go-Daigo ascends to the throne of Japan Births Pope Urban VI Margarete Maultasch, Countess of Tyrol Deaths Categories: 1318 ... Pope John XXII, né Jacques dEuse (1249 - December 4, 1334),was the son of a shoemaker in Cahors. ... March 14 is the 73rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (74th in Leap years) with 292 days remaining in the year. ... Events Magnus VII ascends the throne of Norway and unites the country with Sweden. ...

After four years of negotiations, Pope John XXII authorized king Diniz by another Bull in 1323 to give to the Order of the Christ the properties of the Templars. The knights of the order were committed to vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to the king. It is unclear whether many Templars continued in the new order. There are some opinions that the Templars just continued under a new name, and fewer opinions that the Order of Christ was a new formation. The first Grand Master, Dom Gil Martins or Martinez, had been a knight of Saint Benedict Order of Aviz, a branch of the Order of Calatrava. Pope John XXII, né Jacques dEuse (1249 - December 4, 1334),was the son of a shoemaker in Cahors. ... Events Canonization of Saint Thomas Aquinas Lithuania: Vilnius becomes capital August 12 - The Treaty of Nöteborg between Sweden and Novgorod (Russia) is signed, regulating the border for the first time Pharos of Alexandira Lighthouse (one of the Seven Wonders of the world) is destroyed by a series of earthquakes... The Seal of the Knights — the two riders have been interpreted as a sign of poverty or the duality of monk/soldier. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... The first Order founded in Spain, but the second to receive Papal approval, was the Order of Calatrava. ...

The Order of Christ was first seated at Castro Marim, in the Algarve (in the Diocese of Faro). In 1357, the order was moved to the town of Tomar, near Santerem, former seat of the Order of the Knights Templars in Portugal. (Other sources give the movement date 1366 under the 6th Grand Master, Dom Nuño Rodriguez.) Castro Marim is a town in the Algarve region of Portugal. ... Wikimedia Commons has more media related to: Algarve The Algarve is the name of the southern coast of Portugal, incorporating, amongst others, the towns of Faro, Lagos, and Sagres. ... Faro is a city in Portugal; see Faro, Portugal a town in Yukon, Canada; see Faro, Yukon. ... [[ == == ===Events= July 9 - Charles Bridge in Prague was founded == == ==]] Births Vincent Ferrer April 11 - King John I of Portugal Deaths May 28 - King Afonso IV of Portugal Categories: 1357 ... Coat of Arms Renaissance Manuelina style Window at the Convent of Christ Tomar, also known in English as Thomar, is a city of some 30,000 and also a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 351. ... Events Births Anne of Bohemia, Queen consort of Richard II of England. ...

The Order of Christ under Henry the Navigator

Henry the Navigator

After 1417, by King John I of Portugal's request to the Pope, Prince Henry the Navigator (1417–1465) became the order's Grand Master. Prince Henry the Navigator was born in 1394, the third son of King João of Portugal. During that time, Duarte I and Alfonso V were kings of Portugal. In 1433, King Duarte I gave the Order "Sovereign" status not over these territories which already held, but over any future conquests. Pope Calixtus III in 1455 confirms that Alfonso V extended his temporal jurisdiction by conceding the royal prerogative over three episcopal nominations in areas ruled by the Order. In 1460, King Alfonso V granted the Knights of Christ a 5% levy on all merchandise from the new African lands. Using Order of Christ money, Prince Henry organized the Navigator's school in Sagres, preparing the way for Portuguese supremacy; from this village there was launched on the seas the first great wave of expeditions of the Period of Discoveries. Henry the Navigator Picture from http://genealogia. ... Henry the Navigator Picture from http://genealogia. ... Events Antipope Benedict XIII is deposed, and Pope Martin V is elected. ... João I, tenth king of Portugal (in English, John I) (the Good or sometimes, the Great or even the One With Good Memory), was born in Lisbon in April 11, 1357 and died in the same city in August 14, 1433. ... Infante Dom Henrique, duke of Viseu, generally known in English as Henry the Navigator, (March 4, 1394 – November 13, 1460), a prince of Portugal, looms large as an important figure in the early days of European colonial expansion. ... Events Antipope Benedict XIII is deposed, and Pope Martin V is elected. ... Events July 13 - Battle of Montlhéry - Troops of King Louis XI of France fight inconclusively against an army of the great nobles organized as the League of the Public Weal. ... Events Expulsion of the Jews from France. ... Duarte of Portugal (Edward, in English), the Philosopher or the Eloquent, the 11th king of Portugal, was born in Viseu on October 31, 1391 and he died in Tomar on September 13, 1438. ... Afonso V of Portugal, the African, thirteenth king of Portugal was born in Sintra in January 15, 1432 and died in the same city in August 28, 1481. ... This is a List of Portuguese monarchs from the independence of Portugal from Castile in 1139, to the beginning of the Republic in October 5, 1910. ... Events Births June 23 - Francis II, Duke of Brittany Kettil Karlsson Vasa, later Regent of Sweden. ... Duarte of Portugal (Edward, in English), the Philosopher or the Eloquent, the 11th king of Portugal, was born in Viseu on October 31, 1391 and he died in Tomar on September 13, 1438. ... Callixtus III, né Alphonso de Borgia (December 31, 1378 - August 6, 1458) was born in Xàtiva, Valencia, Spain and was pope from April 8, 1455 to August 6, 1458. ... Events February 9 - Wars of the Roses: Richard, Duke of York dismissed as Protector February 23 - Johannes Gutenberg prints the first Bible on a printing press May 22 - Wars of the Roses: First Battle of St Albans - Richard, Duke of York and his ally, Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick defeat... Afonso V of Portugal, the African, thirteenth king of Portugal was born in Sintra in January 15, 1432 and died in the same city in August 28, 1481. ... Events The first Portuguese navigators reach the coast of modern Sierra Leone. ... Africa is the worlds second-largest continent in both area and population, after Asia. ... The Sagres Point, in the Algarve of southern Portugal, which forms the southwesternmost tip of Europe, was already sacred ground in Neolithic times, as standing menhirs in the neighborhood still attest. ... For additional context, see History of Portugal. ...

After Henry, the grand mastership was held by the royal family. Henry colonised the Azores and Madeira Islands – his aim was to go south beyond Cape Bojador, south of the Canary Islands. During Prince Henry's rule, two Gothic cloisters were built in the Convent of Tomar. With prince Henry began a new and glamourous period for the Order of Christ. Henry was the duke of Viseu and also member of the Knights of the Garter. Flag of Azores Shaded relief map of the Azores from 1975 The Azores (Portuguese: Açores) are an archipelago of Portuguese islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, about 1,500 km from Lisbon and about 3,900 km from the east coast of North America. ... Flag of Madeira The Madeira Islands is a Portuguese archipelago in the north Atlantic Ocean that lies between 32°22. ... Cape Bojador is a headland on the northern coast of Moroccos Western Sahara province, just below latitude 27° North. ... Capitals Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Santa Cruz de Tenerife Area  – Total  – % of Spain Ranked 13th  7 447 km²  1,5% Population  – Total (2003)  – % of Spain  – Density Ranked 8th  1 843 755  4,4%  247,58/km² Demonym  – English  – Spanish  Canary Islander  canario/a Statute of Autonomy August 16, 1982... Viseu is both a city and a district in central Portugal. ... A garter is one of the Orders most recognisable insignia. ...

Henry's impact on history is great, having arguably sparked the European interest in colonial exploration that would so transform the world for the next four centuries.

The Order of Christ after Henry the Navigator's command

Prince Henry was succeeded in the governorship of the Order by Prince Ferdinand, son of King Edward I, who died in 1470. Events May 15 - Charles VIII of Sweden who had served three terms as King of Sweden dies. ...

In 1484, Emmanuel, Duke of Beja, became the XIth Governor of the Order. Due to the fact that the discipline of the order was declining, Pope Alexander VI commuted the vow of celibacy to that of conjugal chastity in 1492; in 1496 the brethren were dispensed from celibacy and in 1505 from poverty, but they still continued their responsions (one third of their revenues) to the Order's treasury. (the condition that they should apply the third part of their revenues to the building and support of the Tomar Cloister) and the priests of which he bound to the whole of the three vows. Also in 1501, Pope Julius II mitigated the vow of poverty into the payment of a tax - the meia-anata, for the Order of Christ the tax was &190; of the revenues. Events July 6 - Portuguese sea captain Diogo Cão finds the mouth of Congo River December 5 - Pope Innocent VIII gives the inquisition a mission to hunt heretics and witches in Germany with the lead of Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger First cuirassier units (kyrissers) formed in Austria Births January... Alexander VI, né Rodrigo Borgia (January 1, 1431 – August 18, 1503) pope (1492-1503), is the most memorable of the secular popes of the Renaissance. ... Events January 2 - Boabdil, the last Moorish King of Granada, surrenders his city to the army of Ferdinand and Isabella after a lengthy siege. ... Events January 3 - Leonardo da Vinci unsuccessfully tests a flying machine. ... Events March 5 - Papal dispensation issued for the marriage of Henry VIII of England and Catherine of Aragon June 27 - Henry VIII of England repudiates his engagement to Catherine of Aragon, at his fathers command King Alexander_of_Poland signed Nihil_novi act - Poland became Nobles Democracy Poland prohibits peasants from leaving... Pope Julius II Julius II, né Giuliano della Rovere (December 5, 1443 - February 21, 1513), was pope from 1503 to 1513. ...

The Convento de Cristo's famous Manuel I Chapter window by Diogo de Arruda (around 1510)

Manuel I of Portugal sought and obtained the title of Grand Master by Pope Leo X's Bull Constante fide (June 30, 1516). King Manuel, João's successor, sent Vasco da Gama (a member of the Order of Christ) to sail around the African cape to India. He set sail in 1497 and reached Calicut. By the end of king Manuel's reign, the order possessed 454 commanderies in Portugal, Africa and the Indies. Manuel also made extensive additions to the Order's headquarters in Tomar. Manuel ordered that the church of Tomar be expanded westwards, spreading beyond the castle limits and opening up the Charola to add on to it a magnificent nave which housed the choir and the sacristy, becoming known as the chapter house. The order also began its step-by-step transformation from monastic to secular during Manuel's reign. At the end of this process, the order had taken the form of a royal institution. Download high resolution version (768x1024, 206 KB)Tomar Convento de Cristo Chapter Window Photo by Cristian Chirita Submited By Cristian Chirita File links The following pages link to this file: Order of Christ Categories: GFDL images ... Download high resolution version (768x1024, 206 KB)Tomar Convento de Cristo Chapter Window Photo by Cristian Chirita Submited By Cristian Chirita File links The following pages link to this file: Order of Christ Categories: GFDL images ... Manuel I of Portugal (Archaic Portuguese: Manoel I, English: Emanuel I), the Fortunate (Port. ... Pope Leo X - Wikipedia /**/ @import /w/skins-1. ... June 30 is the 181st day of the year (182nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 184 days remaining, and the last day of June. ... Events March - With the death of Ferdinand II of Aragon, his grandson Charles of Ghent becomes King of Spain as Carlos I. July - Selim I of the Ottoman Empire declares war on the Mameluks and invades Syria. ... Vasco da Gama Vasco da Gama (c. ... Events May 10 - Amerigo Vespucci allegedly leaves Cádiz for his first voyage to the New World. ... Kozhikode, also known as Calicut, is the third largest city (pop. ...

The son of Manuel did not automatically obtain the succession right for ruling the order, and got an approval by Bull of Pope Adrian VI: "EXIMIAE DEVOTIONIS" (April 14, 1523). The house where Adrian VI was born Adrian VI (also known as Hadrian VI or Adriano VI), born Adrian dEdel (March 2, 1459 - September 14, 1523), pope from 1522 to 1523, was born in Utrecht, the Netherlands, and studied under the Brethren of the Common Life either at Zwolle... April 14 is the 104th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (105th in leap years). ... Events April - Battle of Villalar - Forces loyal to Emperor Charles V defeat the Comuneros, a league of urban bourgeois rebelling against Charles in Spain. ...

After thirty years, John III obtained "Perpetual Administration" of all the Portuguese Military Orders including the Order of Christ, and of course the Grand Mastership of the Order passed to the Crown by Pope Julius III's Bull, issued in Rome in 1551. For the government of these orders in the king's name, John III instituted a special council named "Mesa das Ordens". John III of Portugal John III of Portugal, the Pious (Port. ... Julius III, né Gian Maria del Monte or Giovan Maria Giocci (September 10, 1487 - March 23, 1555) pope from February 7, 1550 to 1555, the last of the High Renaissance popes, was born at Rome, the son of a famous jurist. ... Events Russia, Reforming Synod of the metropolite Macaire, Orthodoxy: introduction of a calendar of the saints and an ecclesiastical law code ( Stoglav ) Major outbreak of the sweating sickness in England. ...

The Reform of John III and fra Antonius

There are some who say that in 1522 the Order was divided into two branches – one religious under the Pope, and one civil under the king, as they remain today – however, there is lack of evidence regarding this. In 1523, John III held a chapter of the order giving brother Antonius of Lisbon the authority and responsibility to reform the Order. Events January 9 - Adrian Dedens becomes Pope Adrian VI. February 26 - Execution by hanging of Cuauhtémoc, Aztec ruler of Tenochtitlan under orders of conquistador Hernán Cortés. ... Events April - Battle of Villalar - Forces loyal to Emperor Charles V defeat the Comuneros, a league of urban bourgeois rebelling against Charles in Spain. ... John III of Portugal John III of Portugal, the Pious (Port. ...

The scope of the reform was to bring to the annihilation the religious life among the knights of the order. The new statutes were approved in 1529 by Friars. The Grand Prior was removed from office and all the priests and religious of the Order were required to resume Conventual life at Tomar, and to wear the habit and cross of the Order. Dom António obtained the position of Prior and persuaded pope Pius V to give him the control of all convents of the order in 1567. Events April 22 - Treaty of Saragossa divides the eastern hemisphere between Spain and Portugal, stipulating that the dividing line should lie 297. ... Events The Duke of Alva arrives in the Netherlands with Spanish forces to suppress unrest there. ...

The contrareform of Dom Sebastian

King Sebastian tried to reverse the reform of brother Antonius of Lisbon in 1574. When Antonius has persuaded the pope Pius V to give him the control of all convents of the order in 1567, King Sebastian has protested and obtained confirmation of his post as Grand Master. As a result the religious members of the Order were separated from the lay, military membership. Sebastião I (English: Sebastian) the Desired (Port. ... Events April 14 - Battle of Mookerheyde. ... Events The Duke of Alva arrives in the Netherlands with Spanish forces to suppress unrest there. ...

Other reforms movements

Between 1580 and 1640 there was another attempt to reform the order. The new statutes were enacted by the general chapter at Tomar 1619 and were promulgated by Philip IV of Spain in 1627. The conditions for admission to the order were noble birth and either two years' service in Africa or three years with the fleet. Events March 1 - Michel de Montaigne signs the preface to his most significant work, Essays. ... Events December 1 - Portugal regains its independence from Spain and João IV of Portugal becomes king. ... Events May 13 - Dutch statesman Johan van Oldenbarnevelt is executed in The Hague after having been accused of treason. ... Philip IV of Spain Philip IV (April 8, 1605 - September 17, 1665) was the king of Spain, from 1621 until his death, and king of Portugal until 1640. ...

The Secularization of the Order

Pius VI (1789) and the Queen Mary made the last attempt to reform the order. This reform made the convent of Tomar once again the headquarters of the whole order. The sovereign still remained Grand Master, but instead of the conventual prior there was a grand prior of the Order. Pius VI, born as Giovanni Angelo Braschi, (December 27, 1717 - August 29, 1799), pope from 1775 to 1799, was born at Cesena. ... 1789 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Maria I Francisca, Queen of Portugal (December 17, 1734 - March 20, 1816) was the daughter of King José I of Portugal, the eldest of four daughters. ...

In 1789 the Portuguese Order lost its religious character, being secularised by Queen Mary. Since 1789, the members consisted (besides the Grand Master and Great Commander) of six Knights of the Grand Cross, four hundred and fifty Commanders, and an unlimited number of Knights. Foreigners were exempt from the rules, but, at the same time, were excluded from the participation in the revenues of the Order. Only Catholics of noble descent could be admitted to the Order. 1789 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1789 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

In 1834 when the civil government of Portugal became anti-Catholic, after the defeat of King Michael in the Civil War, under the constitutional monarchy the order lost its properties. The ancient Military Orders were transformed by the liberal constitution and subsequent legislation into mere Orders of Merit. The privileges which once had been an essential part of the membership of the old military orders were also ceased. 1834 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Miguel of Portugal (English: Michael), the Traditionalist (Port. ...

In 1910, when Portuguese monarchy ended, the Republic of Portugal abolished all the Orders. However, in 1917, at the end of the Great War, some of these Orders were re-established as mere Orders of Merit to reward outstanding services to the state, the office of Grand Master belonging to the Head of State - the President of the Republic. The Military Order of Christ, together with the other Portuguese Orders of Merit, had its Statutes revised in several occasions, during the First Republic (1910–1926), then in 1962, and again in 1986. 1910 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1917 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... WWI redirects here. ... 1962 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1986 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Military Order of Christ, together with the Military Orders of Aviz and of St. James of the Sword form the group of the "Ancient Military Orders", governed by a Chancellor and a Council of eight members, appointed by the President of the Republic, to assist him as Grand Master in all matters concerning the administration of the Order. The Order, despite its name, can be conferred on civilians and on military, Portuguese and foreigners, for outstanding services to the Republic, in parliament, in the government, in the diplomatic service, in the Courts of Justice, on public authorities or on the Civil Service.

Grades

The Order of Christ, as awarded by the Portuguese government today, comes in five classes:

• Grand Cross, which wears the badge of the Order on a sash on the right shoulder, and the star of the Order in gold on the left chest;
• Grand Officer, which wears the badge of the Order on a necklet, and the star of the Order in gold on the left chest;
• Commander, which wears the badge of the Order on a necklet, and the star of the Order in silver on the left chest;
• Officer, which wears the badge of the Order on a ribbon with rosette on the left chest;
• Knight, which wears the badge of the Order on a plain ribbon on the left chest.

Rosettes are small, circular devices that are presented with a medal. ...

Insignia

Order of Christ Cross

• The badge of the Order is a gilt cross with enamel, similar to the Order's emblem illustrated here, but with a longer lower arm. During the monarchy there were separate badges for civil and military knights: civil knights wore a badge similar to the modern version, but with the Sacred Heart of Christ above it; military knights had a completely different insignia, this being a gilt, white enamelled Maltese Cross with blue oval shields (each bearing five dots) between the arms of the cross, the whole surrounded by a wreath of palm; the central medallion was white, with a miniature of the modern badge in it; the badge was again topped by the Sacred Heart of Christ.

• The star of the Order is in gilt or silver depending on class, with 22 asymmetrical arms of rays; the central medallion is white, with a miniature of the modern badge in it. During the monarchy the Sacred Heart of Christ was placed at the top of the star.

• The ribbon of the Order is plain red.

Download high resolution version (1277x1280, 51 KB)Order of the Crist Symbols Made by Cristian Chirita Posted by Cristian Chirita File links The following pages link to this file: Order of Christ User talk:Time For Honesty Categories: GFDL images | Flag images ... Download high resolution version (1277x1280, 51 KB)Order of the Crist Symbols Made by Cristian Chirita Posted by Cristian Chirita File links The following pages link to this file: Order of Christ User talk:Time For Honesty Categories: GFDL images | Flag images ... A gilt is any of the following: A thin covering of gold. ... Jesus Sacred Heart The Sacred Heart is a devotional name used by some Roman Catholics to refer to Jesus. ... The Maltese Cross (✠) has been the symbol of the Christian warrior since the First Crusade. ... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

Outstanding People Associated with Order of the Christ

• Vasco da Gama
• Henry the Navigator

Vasco da Gama Vasco da Gama (c. ... Infante Dom Henrique, duke of Viseu, generally known in English as Henry the Navigator, (March 4, 1394 – November 13, 1460), a prince of Portugal, looms large as an important figure in the early days of European colonial expansion. ...

Locations associated with the Order of Christ

• Convento de Cristo
• Belém Tower
• Castle of Almourol
• Castle of Soure
• Sagres (Prince Henry founded the school of cosmography and navigation)

"Non nobis, Domine, non nobis: sed Nomini Tuo da gloriam" [Psalm. 113,9 (115,1)] Images of Medieval Templars HQ in Portugal Templars Round Church in Tomar One of the courtyards: An medieval Clock Cristian Chirita photo 2004 One detail The Kitchen Tomar Castle Cristian Chirita photos Tomar 2004 Links Templars Tomar Categories: Portugal | Crusades | Roman Catholic Orders and Societies | Orders of knighthood | Europe... Wikimedia Commons has more media related to: Belém Tower Belém Tower, Lisbon, was built in the period from 1515–1521 by Manuel I of Portugal. ... The Castle of Almourol is situated in a small rocky island, in the middle of the Tagus river, in Portugal. ... The Sagres Point, in the Algarve of southern Portugal, which forms the southwesternmost tip of Europe, was already sacred ground in Neolithic times, as standing menhirs in the neighborhood still attest. ... Cosmography is the science that maps the general features of the universe; describes both heaven and earth (but without encroaching on geography or astronomy) A representation of the earth or the heavens. ... There are several traditions of navigation. ...