AWARDS OF THE SACRED THRONE

Temporal power of the pope was born at a time when, in the year 756 the Frankish king Pepin the Short donated to the Holy throne of the Lombards captured from large areas in the center and north of the peninsula, as well as Rome and its surrounding towns. As an independent state Papal States lasted until 1870, and later Italian troops occupied Rome of King Victor Emmanuel II and the volunteers, united under the banner of J. Garibaldi. Pope Pius IX took refuge in the Apostolic Palace, located next to the Cathedral of St. Peter, and announced that he would not leave its walls until it restored the violated rights.

But life was taking its toll, and in 1929 the Supreme Pontiff has agreed to limit their possessions outside of a small political association - the current Vatican. Agreement to this on behalf of the then pope Pius XI signed by Cardinal Gasparri, and on behalf of Italy - Benito Mussolini.

At present residence of the Catholic Church is located on one of the picturesque hills of Rome. Vatican, who is now a small territory, surrounded by stone walls: it includes the Cathedral of St. Peter′s Square in front of him, the papal palaces and gardens, the Lateran Palace and the suburban residence of the supreme pontiff.

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Vatican publishes a newspaper, a post, a powerful radio station, and even prison, as well as its own coinage.

For hard currency can buy not only the Vatican coins, and medals of His Holiness. Issue of medals, is celebrated each year regular pontifikatstva, had already begun with the XVI century. Some of the old medals had disappeared, but the remaining have become rare. These include, for example, issued by Pope Clement XIV in 1774 medal, which depicts Jesus Christ and the holy apostles Peter and Paul, expel the Jesuits. On the reverse side of her broken words from the Gospel of Matthew: "I never knew you: depart from me, you evildoers. "

The ceremony of presentation of new medals dad is June 29, the day of Saints Peter and Paul. Supreme Pontiff acquainted with the samples, which are produced in 3 versions: 1000 gold, 8000 silver and 6000 bronze. For sale is only part minted medals, medals because His Holiness is not only a souvenir, but also the honorary award, which the pope personally presenting their famous guests.

As head of the Vatican state, the pope has the right to award "order of chivalry, and the award is confirmed by the relevant" apostolic letters. The highest award of the Holy See are: The Supreme Order of Christ (established in March 1319 by Pope John XXII), the Order of the Golden Spur (date of establishment is unknown, the order renewed by Pope Pius X in 1905), the Order of Pius, the Order of St, Gregory the Great, Order Sylvester.

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Besides them, there are several papal insignia, such as the Cross for the Church and the Pope "and" Medal of Merit.

All of the Order of the Holy See reflect different periods of the history of the Vatican′s award system, for a long time the Roman pope had supreme authority over many separate orders of the Catholic world. From the ancient orders of chivalry in the Vatican remained only the Order of the Golden Spur (or Golden army), which was designed to serve domestic political goals of the papal court. Some researchers believe that the establishment of this Order applies to the XIV century, others call XVI century, but the ancient legends called the founder of the Order of the Golden Spur of the Emperor Constantine. Once in a very nice selection of gentlemen, worthy of the title and get a court to make the papal entourage during solemn processions, the Order of this subsequently fell into decay. Holders of its becoming merely for the money, so how to do it was easy: in addition to initiation into the Knights of the Order by the Pope, the right to erect a knight, a certain number of people received a higher court clergy.

In 1840, Pope Gregory XVI approved for the Order of the Golden Spur new charter under which a reception in his cavalry was again occur more worthy.

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Under this statute has received the Order and its new name - the Order of St. Sylvester. This name comes from the legend, the Holy Father Sylvester at the baptism of the Emperor Constantine gave him the first sign of the Order. He was inherited from the Order of the Golden Spur white cross, ending at the bottom of a miniature sword.

In 1905 there was another reorganization, which resulted in the Order of the Golden Spur isolated himself from the Order of St. Sylvester. Since then, the Order of the Golden Spur was designed to protect the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

Order of Christ, separated from the eponymous Portuguese Order of Christ, became the highest award of the papal curia. To insignia are silver eight-pointed star radiant, which is worn on the left side of his chest, and elongated gold cross, which is worn on the neck.

Of particular note is the Vatican′s award, which is called the "Golden Rose". In Catholic legends Rose is heavenly protector and defender of good deeds. Since the Middle Ages, a rose gold adorned with precious stones, popes awarded outstanding virtue. The tradition that established the XI century and, according to legend, was established by Pope Leo IX.

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On the day of "Dominica in rosa" (the fourth Sunday of Lent), the pope in the presence of a complete collection of cardinals rose a blessing in St. Peter′s, blowing it with incense, sprinkling holy water and dipped in the ointment. And then sent to the royal or influential person who in the past year proved to be worthy of such a high award.

The right to produce "Golden Rose" owned by the goldsmiths of the same family, and enjoy the great masters of these honors. In XV century, is descended family Santelli, who has lived in the house, located near the Vatican. At the beginning of XX century, died a senior member of this family, Pietro Santelli, the funeral of his were so lush and beautiful, and that the Romans could not imagine that they were burying a simple craftsman-jeweler. At the funeral, Pietro Santelli attended by all the cardinals and all bishops, and in their most solemn vestments.

The form of the "Golden Rose" is very original: the length of its stem, made of pure gold, equivalent to almost 120 centimeters. Large flower is composed of individual petals, on which are engraved the name of the pope and the virtues of the person to whom Rose is intended as a reward for services to the papacy.

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In the golden rose petals shine countless diamonds, depicting the heavenly dew.

Before this great and honorable award was placed in an elegant case, inside upholstered in blue satin, trimmed with a top inlays in the form of fine silver roses. Since 1892, "Golden Rose" were wrapped in a silk handkerchief and laid on a bed of cotton wool in an ordinary box.

In the Middle Ages "Golden Rose" is often sent to a pious and God-fearing queens and princesses. In 1684 this award was given to the Polish queen Marysieńka after the victory, which won her husband, Jan Sobieski against the Turks at Vienna.

Ceremony papal awards are very complex. Here′s how, for example, was granted the "Golden Rose" Portugal′s Queen Amalia:

"Gateway to the crew of the court, decorated with garlands of live and artificial white roses, the envoys of the pope waited at the station. In the courtyard of the royal palace of the Roman noble guests under the thunder of drums greeted the shelves lined up, dressed in ceremonial costumes. Then the eldest of the papal ambassadors in highly raised hand carried "Golden Rose" to the reception hall, which put her on a specially prepared table, covered with a white silk cloth.

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Then, the palace served as the bishop Mass. , where, sitting under a canopy, attended by the Queen. After Mass everyone went into the throne room where the queen sat on the dais stood on a chair, a seat next to her became a senior ambassador, and the younger, standing in front of the Queen, read aloud a message from the Pope. He three times slowly waving the "Golden Rose", and then handed her the prelate. He touched the heart of the rose queen and saying: "That mysterious roses - the gift of the Holy Father. " Queen kissed the golden flower, and says: "I thank the Lord!".

After that awarded the "Golden Rose" zhaluyut papal ambassadors higher orders of the state.