AQUILINE ORDER OF CHRIST (United Roman-Ruthenian Church)
	The Supreme Roman-Ruthenian Aquiline Order of Christ is the highest order given by the modern Stato Pontificio Imperiale di Roma-Rutenia under the authority of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church. By current policy, it is given exclusively to nobles of the rank of Count or higher, who are automatically named Bailiffs Grand Cross of the Pontifical Order of the Eagle. It is from this that the common name of the order (Aquiline Order of Christ) comes. Grand Dukes of Rome-Ruthenia also receive the order on their 18th birthday and also receive the Order of Sts. George and Olga. Following the decree of December 2023, the rank of Bailiff of the Pontifical Order of the Eagle is no longer conferred as an independent honour, but only as a second honour automatically accompanying the conferral of the Aquiline Order of Christ. Those who hold the rank of Bailiff of the Eagle independently of the Order of Christ are known as Bailiffs of Honour. Since the rank of Bailiff of hereditary, but the Order of Christ is not, beginning in 2024, all new Bailiffs of Honour are heirs of Knights and Dames of Christ. Because the rank of Bailiff of the Eagle is given jointly with the Order of Christ, and in fact using a single brevet (document conferring the honour), the Aquiline Order of Christ and the Order of the Eagle are inherently united at their highest level. (There are other ranks of the Order of the Eagle that exist independently.) As a result, 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 Eagle. Recipients may wear either or both collar chains. THE EAGLE AS A SYMBOL OF CHRIST The co-honour of the Order of Christ and the rank of Bailiff of the Eagle is rooted in ancient Christian sybolism, 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. THE INSIGNIA OF THE ORDER Recipients wear the large cross of the order from the collar chain and the Greater Eagle of the Pontifical Order of the Eagle from a solid red ribbon about the neck. The small cross is worn 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 is 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. FEAST DAYS OF THE ORDER Principle: Christ the King 2nd: Latin Christmas 3rd: Eastern Christmas  Wear of Deocrations of the Pontifical and Imperial Orders Statues of the Order Left: Collar of the Order  Right: Pontifical Imperial Collar, worn by the Prince-Bishop of Rome-Ruthenia, which combines the collars of the Order of Christ, the Order of the Eagle, and the Noble Company. Left: Collar of the Order as Bailiffs of the Eagle. The two collars can be worn together or separately, as each represents the other. Eagle decoration as a Bailiff of the Pontifical Order of the Eagle. Examples of Greater (full size) and miniature eagles in two different designs, with various stones and on a red ribbon for a Bailiff of the Eagle. Collarette of the Pontifical Order of the Eagle, with gold chain, as worn by Knights/Dames of the Aquiline Order of Christ. ' The sash of Knights/Dames of Christ, with the small cross of the order and the jewel of Bailiffs of the Eagle, pendant from a ribbon in Marian blue as a variation of the blue of the Order of the Eagle. Star of the order. Lapel Ribbon Church robes of Knights/Dames of Christ (worn over a scarlet habit with matching fascia and gold tassel) The red church mantle (see below) 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. The church robes as worn by the Prince-Bishop of Rome-Ruthenia consist of a scarlet cassock and white fascia, scarlet toga with fur trim, and large white fur cappuccio with scarlet lining, over which is worn the mantle of the order (see below), and the camauro. List of Current Members H.A.H. Rutherford I of Rome-Ruthenia H.A.H. Hanna Alexandrovna 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 Return to the Orders Page Nota Bene: These orders are given exclusively by the United Roman-Ruthenian Church, Stato Pontificio Imperiale di Roma-Ruthenia as historic orders of the Stato Pontificio. H.H. the Bishop of Rome-Ruthenia holds the exclusive right to confer them. They are distinct from the modern state orders given by the Vatican City-State or any other state.