CHRIST, an appellation synonymous with Messiah, usually added to Jesus: and, together therewith, denoting the Saviour of the world. See CHRISTIANITY and MESSIAH.
The word χρῖς signifies anointed, from χρῖν, inungo, "I anoint." Sometimes the word Christ is used singly, by way of autonomasia, to denote a person sent from God, as an anointed prophet, king, or priest.
Order of CHRIST, a military order, founded by Dionysius I. king of Portugal, to animate his nobles against the Moors.—The arms of this order are gules, patriarchal cross, charged with another cross argent: they
had their residence at first at Castromarin; afterwards they removed to the city of Thomar, as being nearer to the Moors of Andalusia, and Estremadura.
CHRIST is also the name of a military order in Livonia, instituted in 1205 by Albert bishop of Riga. The end of this institution was to defend the new Christians, who were converted every day in Livonia, but were persecuted by the heathens. They wore on their cloaks a sword with a cross over it, whence they were also denominated brothers of the sword.