CHRIST, ORDER OF, ix PORTUGAL. When the Templars were expelled from France, and their property confiscated by Philippe le bel, with the sanction of pope Clement V., they were received into Portugal, and their order revived in 1317, under the title of " The Order of our cord Jesus Christ." With some difficulty, pope John XXII. was induced to sanction the new order. The knights of the order of Christ joined the Portu guese in all their crusades against the infidel, and also in their African and Indian expeditions, receiving in compensation continual additions to their own possessions. The grand prior of the order was invested by pope Calixtus III. with power equal to that of a bishop; and as an encouragement to adventure, the knights were promised all the countries which they might discover, to be held under the protection of Portugal. At length, their wealth and power excited the jealousy of the kings of Portugal; their future acquisitions, and, subsequently, even their actual possessions, were declared to be crown possessions, and the offices of administrator and grand-master were transferred to the crown. A fine cloister belonging to the order is still to be seen at Tomar, to which place
the seat of the order was transferred from Castro-Marino in 1366. Noble descent, and three years military service against the infidel, were required for admission. The mem bers took the three monkish vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, till the pope released them from the first two, on condition of their applying the third part of their revenues to the support of Tomar cloister, the priests of which were bound by the three vows. This cloister is now a theological institution for the instruction of the priests of the order.
It is said that the order still possesses 26 villages and farms, and 434 prebends. It is very numerous—consisting of 6 knights of the grand cross, 450 commanders, and an unlimited number of knights. Catholics of noble descent alone are admitted, and for eigners are excluded from participation in the revenues, being exempted in return from its rules.