Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/390

 PAPAL STATES.

ORDER OF SAINT GREGORY THE GREAT.

This Order was founded by Pope Gregory XVI., on the 1st September, 1831, as a reward for zeal and devotion displayed in the cause of the Roman Catholic religion, and Apostolic authority, in an age of religious opposition and indifference.

In 1834, the original statutes were in some parts modified, the classes were reduced from four to three, and their respective numbers, as regards Roman subjects, limited to thirty, seventy, and three hundred.

The badge consists of an octagonal golden cross, chased and enamelled red. The blue middle contains on the obverse the effigy of Saint Gregory, and on the reverse the words: 'Pro Deo et Principe' (For God and the Chief), both accompanied by the legend: 'S. Gregorius Magnus' (Plate 55, Tab. I. No. 2). It is worn suspended by a red ribbon with yellow borders by the Knights of the Grand Cross, across the right shoulder towards the left hip, together with the star (No. 1), on the left breast; by the Commanders round the neck, without the star; and by the Knights in a smaller form at the button-hole. For civil service, the Cross is appended to a green enamelled olive branch (No. 2), and for military service, it is adorned with golden trophies (No. 3), and sometimes, by special favour, with brilliants. There is no particular costume in connection with the Order.