The Five Orders of Christ - Successors of the Knights Templar

Sash of the Aquiline Order of Christ, United
Roman-Ruthenian Church. It is the only Order
of Christ to use a solid blue ribbon, though the
Brazilian order used a red ribbon with blue edges.

By M. Desrosiers

ROME-RUTHENIA 7 August 2024 (NRom)

The history of the Knights Templar is one of the most fascinating and enigmatic chapters in the annals of the Crusades. This elite military order, founded in 1119 AD to protect Christian pilgrims in the Holy Land, captured the imagination of medieval Europe and beyond. Though the Templars were ultimately suppressed in the 14th century, their legacy lives on in the form of five distinct Orders of Christ, each tracing its origins back to the original Knights.

The first of these is the Aquiline Order of Christ of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church, the temporal successor to St. Peter the Apostle. Like the other Orders of Christ, this order likewise claims a direct lineage to the Templar knights. It is one of the most rarely-given orders of the Church and is held primarily by the Pontifical and Imperial Household. Unlike the other Orders of Christ, the Aquiline Order merged with the Pontifical Order of the Eagle, so that all Knights of Christ of that order are Bailiffs of the Eagle. 

Examples of the eagle insignia of the Bailiffs of the Eagle,
worn on a red ribbon representing the Order of Christ. 

Parallel to the Aquiline Order is the Order of Christ of the Vatican, which, though currently inactive, is also a successor to the Templars within the Catholic Church. Its dormant status, however, has not diminished the reverence with which it is viewed by many. When given, it was awarded only to reigning Catholic royal heads of state. 

The Portuguese Order of Christ, meanwhile, was established by King Denis I of Portugal in 1319. Divided into two distinct branches – one associated with the exiled House of Orléans-Braganza, and the other with the modern Portuguese republic – the Portuguese Order of Christ continues to play a significant role in the cultural and religious life of the nation.

A fourth Order of Christ can be found in the former Brazilian Empire. Established in 1822 by Emperor Pedro I, this order was modeled after the Portuguese tradition and served as a symbol of the new nation's independence and Catholic heritage. Though the Brazilian Empire has long since passed, the order's legacy endures, with some claiming it to be the rightful inheritor of the Templar mantle in the Americas.

Finally, we come to the Order of Christ of Kongo, a lesser-known but no less intriguing branch of the Templar legacy. Emerging from the ancient Kingdom of Kongo, this order was the result of Portuguese bringing the order there. 

These five Orders of Christ, each with its own unique history and character, stand as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Knights Templar. Though the original Templar order may have been suppressed, its spirit lives on, inspiring devotion and reverence in those who seek to preserve the ideals of chivalry, faith, and service that defined the Templars' noble mission.

In an age where the world seems increasingly divided, the continued existence of these Orders of Christ serves as a reminder that the timeless values of chivalry – of unity, courage, and constant commitment to a higher purpose – can still inspire and guide us. As we grapple with the challenges of our own time, we would do well to look to the example of these remarkable institutions and the lessons they offer us from the distant past.

The Political Position of the Bishop of Rome-Ruthenia

H.A.H. the Bishop
of Rome-Ruthenia

By Jean DuBois

ROME-RUTHENIA 04 August 2024 (NRom)

From time to time, people wonder about the political position and beliefs of His Apostolic Highness the Prince-Bishop of Rome-Ruthenia. It is an understandable curiosity, given his role and the nature of the Church. However, neither the Prince-Bishop nor the P.I. Household are involved in political parties or any other political processes of any civil state around the world. 

Despite being resident in the USA, the Prince-Bishop's primary affiliation is with the United Roman-Ruthenian Church and as head of state of the Pontifical Imperial State (S.P.I.) - an ethno-religious nation without physical borders that constitutes a state unto itself and which has a special status with the United Nations. He does, however, from time to time exercise his right and duty to comment pastorally on matters involving various nations. Such comments are rooted in the moral and spiritual principles of the Church, not in any partisan political agenda, instead advocating for the values of justice, mercy, and compassion that are at the heart of the Christian faith.

It is important to recognize that the S.P.I. and the United Roman-Ruthenian Church are separate and distinct from the political systems of countries where their members may reside. While members of the Church and its affiliated organizations are free to participate in political processes, such participation does not constitute an endorsement by the Church or the S.P.I. leadership.

The Prince-Bishop and the P.I. Household maintain a position of neutrality when it comes to the partisan politics of civil states. Their focus is on upholding the teachings of the Christian faith and serving the spiritual and humanitarian needs of their community, which spans the globe. This impartial stance is a fundamental part of their identity and mission.