Order of Christ (Brazil)

Last updated

Imperial Order of Christ
Imperial Ordem de Cristo
OrderofChrist BRAZIL.jpg
Grand Cross star of the Imperial Order of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Awarded by CoA Empire of Brazil (1870-1889).svg the Head of the
Brazilian Imperial Family
Type Dynastic Order
Established7 December 1822
1822–1890 (National Order)
1890–present (House Order)
Royal house House of Orleans-Braganza
StatusCancelled as national order in 1890, since then claimed as house order
Grand Master
Prince Pedro of Bourbon of Orléans-Braganza
Grades
  • Grand Cross
  • Commander
  • Knight
Precedence
Next (higher)none (highest)
Next (lower) Imperial Order of Aviz
Imperial Order of Christ (Brasil).gif
Ribbon bar of the Order

The Imperial Order of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Portuguese : Imperial Ordem de Nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo), [lower-alpha 1] often simply named Order of Christ, is an order of chivalry instituted by emperor Pedro I of Brazil on 7 December 1822, on the basis of the Portuguese Order of Christ founded by King Dom Dinis and Pope John XXII in 1316–1319.

Contents

The order was used to award persons for exceptional services that resulted in notable and proven utility to religion (Roman Catholicism), to humanity and the state. Knights of the Order of Christ were part of the untitled nobility of the Empire of Brazil.

On 22 March 1890, the order was cancelled as national order by the interim government of United States of Brazil. However, since the deposition in 1889 of the last Brazilian monarch, Emperor Pedro II, the order is claimed as a house order, being awarded by the heads of the House of Orleans-Braganza, pretenders to the defunct throne of Brazil. The current Brazilian Imperial Family is split into two branches, Petrópolis and Vassouras, and the Grand Mastership of the Order is disputed between those two branches.

Origin

After the Independence of Brazil Emperor Dom Pedro I continued his inherent authority as the "Fount of Honour" transmitted by his father King Dom João VI of Portugal. His right extended to conferring titles of nobility and also the three ancient Portuguese orders of chivalry: Order of Christ, Order of Aviz and the Order of Saint James of the Sword. [1] Dom Pedro I became the first Grand Master of the Brazilian branch of the Order of Christ. According to historian Roderick J. Barman, Dom Pedro I stated in a decree that his right originated in: "Sovereign Kings my Predecessors, ... and especially by my August and Sovereign Father D. João VI." [1] After the death of his father, Dom Pedro I also became the Grand Master of the Portuguese Order of Christ as King Pedro IV of Portugal.

Description of the Order of Christ in the Almanak Laemmert, court almanac published in 1889: [2]

Created by King Dom Dinis, in 1316. Preserved as a Brazilian order by the law of October 20, 1823. Regulated by decree n. 321 of September 9, 1843. Also decree n. 2853 of December 7, 1861. This order has 12 Grand crosses (treatment of Excellency), not included in these numbers the members of the Imperial family and the princes and foreign citizens; Commanders and Knights are without a set number. The Emperor is the Grand Master; the heir of the Crown is the Major-Commander.

Reform of 1843

Knights of Christ in Rio de Janeiro during the reign of Dom Pedro I Chevaliers du Christ Rio de Janeiro by Debret.jpg
Knights of Christ in Rio de Janeiro during the reign of Dom Pedro I

In 1834 the Portuguese Order of Christ was reformed by the Liberal government of Portugal and Queen Maria II (sister of Emperor Dom Pedro II). The order lost its military prerogatives with the reform and became a national order. As such the Brazilian branch of the Order of Christ was the only branch that maintained its military status. In 1843 the Brazilian branch was also reformed by Emperor Dom Pedro II and became a national order with decree N. 2853. [3] As such the Order of Christ ended its existence as a military order both in Portugal and Brazil; however the order remained highly regarded by the nobility of Brazil and Portugal as a result of its importance to history and the prestige that it provided to knights. Members of all Brazilian orders of knighthood were part of the untitled nobility regardless of grade, [4] depending on the knight's grade they also received military honors, salutes and honorific styles. [5]

Admission

It was considered relevant and extraordinary services for admittance into all imperial orders after 1861 the following services:

Military Funeral of a Knight of Christ in Rio de Janeiro during the reign of Dom Pedro I. Chevalier Du Chirst Expose by Debret.jpg
Military Funeral of a Knight of Christ in Rio de Janeiro during the reign of Dom Pedro I.

Basically all services that resulted in notable and proven utility to religion, to humanity and the state, that were provided during public, ecclesiastical or military functions; be it in science, letters, arts or industry. [6]

Forms of admission

There were two ways to be admitted to the Order of Christ after the reform of 1861, they were:

Requirements for admission

If filing a petition, the following requirements had to be completed: [6]

Loss of Knighthood

Membership into the order was given for life, however, members could be expelled from the order if: a member lost his Brazilian citizenship for breaking articles 2, 3 or 7 of the Imperial constitution; if guilty of a criminal offence; if the individual lost his post in the Guarda Nacional as a result of a criminal offence; and if the individual committed a political crime that resulted in the loss of political rights. [7]

Grades

The decoration of a military knight (front) Braziliaanse Ridders in de Militaire en Keizerlijke Orde van Christus na 1843 cropped 02.jpg
The decoration of a military knight (front)

The Order of Christ was issued in three grades: [2]

The order had a limit of 12 Grand Crosses, not included in this numbers the members of the Brazilian Imperial Family (grand crosses) and the princes and foreign citizens. There was no maximum numbers set for Commanders and Knights. [2]

Insignia

The insignia were basically the same as the Portuguese Order of the same name, with the addition of a stylized Imperial Crown of Brazil to the badge and a different ribbon to distinguish it from the Portuguese Order.

Recipients

Knights

Other recipients

See also

Notes

  1. Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation: [ĩ.pe.ɾiˈawˈɔʁ.dẽj̃d͡ʒiˈnɔ.susẽˈɲoʁʒeˈzu(j)sˈkɾis.tu]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pedro II of Brazil</span> Emperor of Brazil from 1831 to 1889

DomPedro II, nicknamed the Magnanimous, was the second and last monarch of the Empire of Brazil, reigning for over 58 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legion of Honour</span> Highest French order of merit

The National Order of the Legion of Honour, formerly the Imperial Order of the Legion of Honour, is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil, and currently comprises five classes. Established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, it has been retained by all later French governments and regimes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military Order of Aviz</span> Portuguese order of chivalry from the 12th-18th centuries

The Military Order of Saint Benedict of Aviz, previously to 1910 Royal Military Order of Saint Benedict of Aviz, previously to 1789 Knightsof Saint Benedict of Aviz or Friars of Santa Maria of Évora, is a Portuguese order of chivalry, founded in Portugal in 1146. It gave its name and coat of arms to the Aviz Dynasty that ruled Portugal between 1385 and 1580.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military Order of Christ</span> Former order of the Kingdom of Portugal

The Military Order of Our Lord Jesus Christ is the former order of Knights Templar as it was reconstituted in Portugal. Before 1910, it was known as the Royal Military Order of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Order of the Knights of Our Lord Jesus Christ. It was founded in 1319, with the protection of King Denis of Portugal, after the Templars were abolished on 22 March 1312 by the papal bull, Vox in excelso, issued by Pope Clement V. King Denis refused to pursue and persecute the former knights as had occurred in most of the other sovereign states under the political influence of the Catholic Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of St. Olav</span> Norwegian chivalric order

The Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav is a Norwegian order of chivalry instituted by King Oscar I on 21 August 1847. It is named after King Olav II, known to posterity as St. Olav.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isabel, Princess Imperial of Brazil</span> Princess Imperial of the Empire of Brazil

DonaIsabel, nicknamed "the Redemptress", was the Princess Imperial of the Empire of Brazil and the Empire's regent on three occasions. Born in Rio de Janeiro as the eldest daughter of Emperor Pedro II of Brazil and Empress Teresa Cristina, she was a member of the Brazilian branch of the House of Braganza. After the deaths of her two brothers in infancy, she was recognized as her father's heiress presumptive. She married a French prince, Gaston, Count of Eu, in an arranged marriage and they had three sons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaston, Count of Eu</span> French prince (1842–1922)

Prince Gaston of Orleans, Count of Eu was a French prince and military commander who fought in the Hispano-Moroccan War and the Paraguayan War. He was the first son of Louis, Duke of Nemours and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and was married to Princess Isabel, daughter of Pedro II of Brazil and heiress to the Brazilian throne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Princess Francisca of Brazil</span> Princess of Joinville

DonaFrancisca was a princess of the Empire of Brazil, who became Princess of Joinville upon marrying François d’Orléans, son of the French king Louis Philippe I. The couple had three children. Through their oldest daughter, Francisca and François are the ancestors of Jean, Count of Paris, the present Orléanist pretender to the French throne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military Order of the Tower and Sword</span> State order of Portugal

The Ancient and Most Noble Military Order of the Tower and of the Sword, of the Valour, Loyalty and Merit, before 1910 Royal Military Order of the Tower and Sword, is a Portuguese order of knighthood and the pinnacle of the Portuguese honours system. It was created by King Afonso V in 1459. The order may be bestowed on people or on Portuguese municipalities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military Order of Saint James of the Sword</span> State order of Portugal

The Military Order of Saint James of the Sword is a Portuguese order of chivalry. Its full name is the Ancient, Most Noble and Enlightened Military Order of Saint James of the Sword, of the Scientific, Literary and Artistic Merit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teresa Cristina of the Two Sicilies</span> Empress of Brazil from 1843 to 1889

Dona Teresa Cristina, nicknamed "the Mother of the Brazilians", was Empress of Brazil as the consort of Emperor Dom Pedro II from their marriage on 30 May 1843 until 15 November 1889, when the monarchy was abolished. Born a princess of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in present-day southern Italy, Teresa Cristina was the daughter of King Don Francesco I (Francis I) of the Italian branch of the House of Bourbon and his wife Maria Isabel. It was long believed by historians that the Princess was raised in an ultra-conservative, intolerant atmosphere which resulted in a timid and unassertive character in public and an ability to be contented with very little materially or emotionally. Recent studies revealed a more complex character, who despite having respected the social norms of the era, was able to assert a limited independence due to her strongly opinionated personality as well as her interest in learning, sciences and culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince Antônio Gastão of Orléans-Braganza</span> Brazilian prince

Captain Prince Antônio Gastão of Orléans-Braganza MC was a Brazilian prince who served in the forces of the British Empire during World War I.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Princess Maria Amélia of Brazil</span> Princess of the Empire of Brazil

Dona Maria Amélia was a princess of the Empire of Brazil and a member of the Brazilian branch of the House of Braganza. Her parents were Emperor Dom Pedro I, the first ruler of Brazil, and Amélie of Leuchtenberg. The only child of her father's second marriage, Maria Amélia was born in France after Pedro I abdicated the Brazilian throne in favor of his son Dom Pedro II. Before Maria Amélia was a month old, Pedro I went to Portugal to restore the crown of the eldest daughter of his first marriage, Dona Maria II. He fought a successful war against his brother Miguel I, who had usurped Maria II's throne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of Pedro I</span> Brazilian honorary order

The Imperial Order of Dom Pedro I is a Brazilian order of chivalry instituted by Emperor Pedro I of Brazil on 16 April 1826. It is considered by many numismatists as the rarest of the Brazilian imperial orders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Afonso, Prince Imperial of Brazil</span> 19th century Brazilian heir to throne

Dom Afonso was the Prince Imperial and heir apparent to the throne of the Empire of Brazil. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he was the eldest child of Emperor Dom Pedro II and Dona Teresa Cristina of the Two Sicilies, and thus a member of the Brazilian branch of the House of Braganza.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of the Colonial Empire</span>

The Order of the Colonial Empire was a Portuguese Order (decoration), established on 13 April 1932 as a colonial order of knighthood, to reward services by soldiers and civilians in the Portuguese colonies in Asia and Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pedro Afonso, Prince Imperial of Brazil</span> Prince Imperial of Brazil

Dom Pedro Afonso was the Prince Imperial and heir apparent to the throne of the Empire of Brazil. Born at the Palace of São Cristóvão in Rio de Janeiro, he was the second son and youngest child of Emperor Dom Pedro II and Dona Teresa Cristina of the Two Sicilies, and thus a member of the Brazilian branch of the House of Braganza. Pedro Afonso was seen as vital to the future viability of the monarchy, which had been put in jeopardy by the death of his older brother Dom Afonso almost three years earlier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of Saint James of the Sword (Brazil)</span> Former honorific order of the Empire of Brazil

The Imperial Order of St. James of the Sword was an honorific order of the Empire of Brazil, originating from the Portuguese Order of Saint James of the Sword. "Nationalized" by Dom Pedro I of Brazil, this order has followed the reform proposed by Dona Maria II of Portugal, which had recommended to the judiciary. The Portuguese order was offered to those who made advancements in literature, science and art, while the Brazilian order was almost exclusively for military personnel, both by Pedro I and his son Dom Pedro II. The order was awarded under the Order of Pedro I.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sash of the Three Orders</span> Presidential sash of Portugal

The Sash of the Three Orders is a decoration that combines the insignia of the Grand Crosses of the Military Orders of Christ, Aviz and St. James of the Sword. It is the symbol of the Portuguese presidential magistracy, in their capacity as the fount of the Portuguese honours system; therefore, it cannot be conferred on nationals or foreigners, nor can it be used outside the exercise of office of the President.

References

  1. 1 2 Barman 1988, p. 102.
  2. 1 2 3 Sauer 1889, p. 94.
  3. Sauer 1862, Supl. 96.
  4. Barman 1999, p. 11.
  5. Sauer 1889, p. 90.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Sauer 1862, Supl. 99.
  7. Sauer 1862, Supl. 100.

Further reading