Military order, organized, 1317, to replace the Knights Templar in Portugal, and granted their possessions; it undertook the conquest of Islam in Africa. The religious spirit gradually declined, the grand mastership became a prerogative of the crown, and in the 19th century its possessions were confiscated. The papal decoration, Order of Christ, owes its origin to this order.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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