The Most Holy Pontifical Orders of Christ and the Eagle The highest pontifical chivalric honour within the United Roman-Ruthenian Church is the Most Holy Pontifical Orders of Christ and the Eagle. It consists of the united traditions of the Supreme Roman-Ruthenian Aquiline Order of Christ and the Most Holy Pontifical Order of the Eagle. By the statutes of the Orders, the honour is given exclusively to nobles of the rank of Count or higher. The insignia of these two co-honours are intertwined. There is a single breast star, as well as two collar chains — one of the Order of Christ and one as a Bailiff of the Most Holy Pontifical Order. Recipients may wear either or both collar chains. Investiture in this Order is accompanied by the customary offering established for its rank, in support of the mission of the Holy Apostolic See. List of Current Members H.A.H. Prince-Bishop Radislav I, Roman-Ruthenian Pope H.A.H. Hanna Alexandrovna, Apostolic Princess of Rome-Ruthenia H.P.I.H. the Grand Prince of Etruria H.P.I.H. the Grand Princess of Etruria H.P.I.H. the Grand Duke Alexander H.P.I.H. the Grand Duchess Lilia H.M.Em.R.H. the Cardinal Count of Gévaudan H.R.S.H. Prince Floyd of Chíquiza H.M.S.H. the Duke of Lower-Silesia (Glogau) H.E. the Marquis Hunter Lisle of Orsha Example of the brevet of the orders. Membership is given in one joint-rank only. This co-honour of Knight (or Dame) of the Order of Christ and the rank of Bailiff of the Most Holy Pontifical Order is rooted in ancient Christian symbolism, for the eagle has long been a symbol of Christ and divine power. "They shall mount up with wings as eagles" (Isaiah 40:31). The eagle also embodies Christ's omniscience and kingly authority. Psalm 103:5 speaks of being "renewed like the eagle," which speaks to resurrection and eternal life. And indeed, Christ soars above the earthly realm while guiding the Church. The eagle is also commonly associated with imperial or royal authority. In this context, it signifies Christ as the ultimate King and Judge. Solemn ritual of conferral of the Order of Christ and Most Holy Pontifical Order of the Eagle FEAST DAYS OF THE ORDER OF CHRIST Principal: Christ the King 2nd: Latin Christmas 3rd: Eastern Christmas The origins of the Most Holy Pontifical Order of the Eagle can be traced back to Julius Caesar, who established it as a military unit called the Ninth Spanish Legion in 58 BC. It was later re-established as a Christian noble order by Caesar Augustus and received the blessing of Pope St. John Paul II. The Most Holy Pontifical Order is the principal division of the Joint Pontifical Orders of the Eagle. FEAST DAYS OF THE ORDER OF THE EAGLE Principal: Corpus Christi 2nd: Sacred Heart 3rd: Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. 4th: Invention of St. Stephen 5th: St. Patrick Armourial of the Order of the Eagle Statutes of the Order Wear of Decorations of the Pontifical and Imperial Orders Above: Chapel of Pope St. John Paul II in the Basilica of St. Peter, Vatican L: Julius Caesar. R: Caesar Augustus INSIGNIA OF THE ORDERS Recipients wear the large cross of the orders from the collar chain representing the Aquiline Order of Christ and the Greater Eagle of the Most Holy Pontifical Order of the Eagle from a solid red ribbon about the neck. The small cross is worn either on a gold collarette or on a cordon (sash) of medium blue ribbon. The order is perhaps unique in that it makes use of two ribbon colours for the same rank. The red represents Christ and is the traditional colour of various Orders of Christ. The medium blue is a variation of the blue of the Order of the Eagle and represents the Blessed Theotokos. The sash itself, being blue with the small red cross of the order, evokes Mary Mother of God with the infant Christ. Although that is general imagery, there is also special reference to the icon of the Holy Mother of God of Kazan, the history of which reaches Rome and Russia and spans the breadth of Europe. It began with the victory of Ivan IV over the Tatars. The icon was stolen in the early 20th century. An icon believed to be an original 16th century copy of the original icon was located and brought to Fátima in Portugal. From there it was given to St. John Paul II, who kept it in his office as Bishop of Rome. After the fall of communism, the icon was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow. Left: Collar of the Order of Christ Right: Pontifical Imperial Collar, worn by the Roman-Ruthenian Pope (Prince-Bishop of Rome-Ruthenia), which combines the collars of the Order of Christ, the Order of the Eagle, and the Noble Company.   Collar of the Order as Bailiffs of the Eagle. The two collars can be worn together or separately, as each represents the other. Collarette of the Orders, with the cross of the Order of Christ pendant from a jewel and a heavy gold chain.   Collarette of the orders, with the eagle pendant from a jewel and heavy gold chain. Examples of greater (full size) and miniature eagles of the Most Holy Pontifical Orders of Christ and the Eagle in two different designs, with various stones. ' The sash of the Orders. Star of the orders. Lapel Ribbon Uniform Service Ribbon Church robes of the Most Holy Pontifical Order of Christ and the Eagle (worn over a scarlet habit with matching fascia and gold tassel) The church mantle (see below) is red with white lining and is worn over this habit. The cap is red velvet with gold cords and a brim. Clerics wear a 4-winged red biretta with pompom, unless a cardinal, in which case the regular Cardinal's watered silk biretta is worn. (Image from the book Cloth and Colour: Visible Signs of the Pontifical Court) Hereditary Officers of the Pontifical Order of the Eagle Sovereign - H.A.H. the Roman-Ruthenian Pope* Prince Grand Master - H.P.I.H. Grand Duke Ralph of Etruria* Hereditary Deputy Grand Master - H.E. the Count di Santa Croce Appointed Officers Marshal:  H.M.E.I.R.H. Grand Duke Douglas v. Rome-Frankfurt Vice Marshal: H.R.S.H. the Prince of Friuli and Chíquiza* Chancellor: H.P.I.H. Grand Duke Alexander* Vice Chancellor: H.E. the Marquis of Orsha* Registrar: Chev. K. Day Eagle King of Arms: H.M.E.I.R.H. Grand Duke Douglas v. Rome-Frankfurt * Indicates a member of the Most Holy Pontifical Orders.