Virtues

An order of angels in Christian angelology associated with miracles, divine grace, and the bestowing of blessings. Virtues channel God’s power into creation, enabling extraordinary works and maintaining the natural order.

In Christian Tradition

Celestial Hierarchy

In the system of Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, Virtues occupy the second rank of the second sphere:

1. First Sphere: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones
2. Second Sphere: Dominions, Virtues, Powers
3. Third Sphere: Principalities, Archangels, Angels

The second sphere mediates between the highest contemplative orders and the lowest active orders, with Virtues specifically channeling divine power.

Biblical Foundation

New Testament References

While not explicitly named “Virtues,” the concept derives from passages mentioning angelic powers:

Ephesians 1:21: Christ is “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named.”

1 Peter 3:22: Christ “has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.”

The Greek word dynameis (powers/forces) in these passages contributed to the theological concept of Virtues.

Role and Function

Workers of Miracles

Virtues are particularly associated with miraculous works:

• Enable signs and wonders
• Suspend or enhance natural laws by divine command
• Facilitate divine interventions in human history
• Support prophets and saints in performing miracles

Bestowers of Grace

• Channel divine blessings to humanity
• Strengthen believers in faith and courage
• Grant spiritual gifts
• Provide fortitude in trials and suffering

Maintainers of Nature

• Govern the movements of celestial bodies
• Uphold the laws of physics and nature
• Ensure the regularity and stability of creation
• Maintain cosmic harmony

Connection to Human Realm

Unlike higher orders, Virtues have more direct (though still rare) interaction with humans:

• Present at key moments in salvation history
• Assist in answering prayers for miracles
• Strengthen martyrs and confessors
• Support those who perform heroic acts of faith

Theological Significance

Divine Power in Creation

Virtues represent God’s active power working in the world:

• Bridge between divine will and physical reality
• Demonstrate that miracles are ordered, not chaotic
• Show that God works through intermediaries
• Illustrate the continuing divine involvement in creation

Grace and Strength

The name “Virtues” (Latin virtus = strength, courage, virtue) reflects their role:

• Empower humans to act virtuously
• Provide courage in the face of adversity
• Enable supernatural acts of faith
• Strengthen the Church in its mission

Order in Wonder

While associated with miracles, Virtues still operate within God’s ordered plan:

• Miracles are not arbitrary violations of nature
• Supernatural interventions serve divine purposes
• Even the extraordinary follows heavenly governance
• Wonder and order coexist

In Medieval Theology

Attributes

Medieval theologians understood Virtues as:

• Radiant beings emanating divine light
• Characterized by strength and vigor
• Particularly swift in executing God’s commands
• Bearing symbols of divine power

Associated Acts

Virtues were believed to facilitate:

• Biblical miracles (parting of the Red Sea, raising the dead)
• Sanctification of holy places and objects
• Protection during pilgrimages
• Assistance in spiritual warfare
• Strengthening of martyrs during persecution

In the Lives of Saints

Christian hagiography attributes certain phenomena to Virtues:

• Supernatural strength given to martyrs
• Visions granted to mystics
• Miraculous healings
• Extraordinary endurance in suffering

Distinction from Other Orders

Among Second Sphere Orders

• Dominions: Govern and delegate
• Virtues: Empower and enable
• Powers: Protect and combat evil

Unique Characteristics

• Most associated with miracles among all angelic orders
• Bridge the gap between divine command and physical manifestation
• Combine governance (from Dominions) with action (toward Powers)
• More accessible to human experience than higher orders

In Art and Symbolism

Christian art typically depicts Virtues with:

• Flowing robes suggesting motion and energy
• Radiant halos or glowing forms
• Sometimes carrying lilies (symbolizing purity) or roses (symbolizing miracles)
• Often shown with stars, representing their governance of celestial bodies
• May hold instruments symbolizing divine power or grace
• Sometimes depicted in scenes of biblical miracles

Spiritual Lessons

The order of Virtues teaches:

• Divine Enablement: God empowers human action
• Courage in Faith: Spiritual strength comes from above
• Expectation of Grace: God can and does intervene
• Natural and Supernatural: Divine power works through and beyond nature
• Active Providence: God is not distant but actively involved

Etymology

The name derives from Latin virtus, which encompasses:

• Strength, force, power
• Courage, bravery
• Excellence, worth
• Moral virtue

This multifaceted meaning reflects the Virtues’ role in both empowering miraculous deeds and strengthening moral character.

Contemporary Theological Reflection

Modern consideration of Virtues addresses:

• The relationship between natural law and miracles
• How divine power operates in the world
• The nature of grace and supernatural empowerment
• Whether angelic mediation diminishes God’s sovereignty
• The role of spiritual strength in Christian life

Whether understood as literal angelic beings or theological symbols, Virtues represent a crucial Christian doctrine: God’s power actively works in creation, both sustaining the natural order and occasionally transcending it, always for redemptive purposes.