Geistliches Verdienstkreuz
The Merit Cross for Military Chaplains (Geistliches Verdienstkreuz) was a military and civil award established on November 23, 1801, by Emperor Franz II in his function as Austrian monarch and was intended to honor military chaplains who excelled in fulfilling their duties in military pastoral care in a particularly strict and dangerous manner in service of the Habsburg Empire.
Geistliches Verdienstkreuz

Aristide-Michel Perrot · Collection historique des ordres de chevalerie civils et militaires: existant chez les differens peuples du monde: suivie d'un tableau chronologique des ordres éteints, A. André, 1820, 294 p. [1] · Public domain
- Name
- Merit Cross for Military Chaplains
- Region
- Austria–Hungary
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Documentary summary
The Merit Cross for Military Chaplains (Geistliches Verdienstkreuz) was a military and civil award established on November 23, 1801, by Emperor Franz II in his function as Austrian monarch and was intended to honor military chaplains who excelled in fulfilling their duties in military pastoral care in a particularly strict and dangerous manner in service of the Habsburg Empire.
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wikidata · Q665279
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Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Merit Cross for Military Chaplains • Country — Austria-Hungary • Status — No longer awarded • Established — 23 November 1801 • Higher — Military Merit Cross 3rd class • Lower — Military Merit Medal in Siver • Caption2 — Ribbon bars
History
History
The decoration of the order was awarded in gold (1st class) and in silver (2nd class). From December 13, 1916, the award for brave and successful behavior in front of the enemy could also be awarded with swords on the ribbon. The religious sign is a Brabant cross with a medallion enameled blue on both sides, in the middle of which the two-line inscription PIIS MERITIS (For pious merits) can be read. From 1859 the Golden Cross of Merit received a white enameled medallion. The cross is suspended from a trifold ribbon.

Духовний хрест заслуг 1-го класу (Австро-Угорщина) до 1859 р. з червоно-білою стрічкою за заслуги під час бойових дій.
RomanVR · Own Work. Picture taken at HGM Vienna
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Austria–Hungary
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Geistliches Verdienstkreuz is associated with Austria–Hungary.
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Elsewhere in Medals
1,069 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
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