a) The Portuguese Order of Christ (A Ordem Militar de Cristo) was instituted in 1319 as a religious order of knighthood by King Denis as the successor in Portugal of the Order of the Knights Templar (which had been abolished by Pope Clement V. The Order was secularised in 1789 by Queen Maria, who instituted the addition of the Holy Heart of Christ. The Order was abolished in 1910 when the Portuguese monarchy ended.

The order was awarded in five classes, Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight.

b) The Brazilian 'Imperial Ordem de Nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo' (Order of the Cross) was instituted by Dom Pedro I of Brazil in December 1822. The order was cancelled on 22 March 1890, but continued as a House Order of the Houses Orleans-Braganza.

Reference:

The Three Portugese Military Orders of Knighthood 1789-1910

(The Order of Christ, the Order of Avis, and the Order of Sant'Iago) A Guide for Collectors. by Antonio M. Trigueiros & Gustav A. Tammann, Orders and Medals Society of America (OMSA) Medal Notes Series: Medal Notes No. 1, 1997 (ISBN 1-890974-01-3)