Cross of Merit of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

The Merit Cross of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (Záslužný kříž Božího hrobu jeruzalémského; Latin: Crux ex Merito Sancti Sepulchri Hierosolymitani; Italian: Croce al Merito del Santo Sepolcro di Gerusalemme) is a merit decoration of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. It is awarded relatively rarely by the Cardinal Grand Master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, “after consultation with the locally competent lieutenant or magistral delegate,” to people who are not members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre (very often including non-Catholics). Its award does not confer membership in the Order: accordingly, the insignia of the Merit Cross is not the Jerusalem cross, but a simple potent cross surmounted by a crown of thorns; recipients also do not wear the order’s mantle.