The Order of Saint Agatha (Italian: Ordine Equestre di Sant'Agata) is a State order established on 5 June 1923 by the Grand and General Council of the Republic of San Marino. It is named after Saint Agatha, on whose feast day 5 February, Pope Clement XII reestablished the sovereignty of the republic in 1740.The order is presented to foreign nationals who have positively contributed charitable and other services for the benefit of the republic deserving of recognition. The award is conferred by the Grand and General Council on the proposal of the Most Excellent Regency of the Republic of San Marino. It has 5 ranks: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight.The badge of the order is a golden cross enamelled in white. It is charged on one side with a round golden shield bearing the effigy of Saint Agatha and includes the inscription Sant'Agata Prottetrice (Saint Agatha Protector). On the other side is written the epigraph Bene Merenti (to a well-deserving person). The cross is hung on a ribbon with five stripes of white, crimson and yellow.The Order of San Marino is the next higher in order of precedence. Source: Wikipedia (en)