Cover art for the Adepta Sororitas novel “Pilgrims of Fire” from Black Library.
The Adepta Sororitas, also known as the Sisters of Battle, are an all-female division of the Imperium of Man’s Ecclesiarchy in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. They are renowned for their unwavering faith in the God-Emperor and their zealous dedication to rooting out heresy and corruption within the Imperium. Clad in power armor and armed with an array of holy weaponry, the Sisters of Battle are formidable warriors who often act as the militant arm of the Ecclesiarchy, bringing the Emperor’s justice to the enemies of mankind.
Their order is divided into several different sects, or “Orders,” each with its own unique focus and specializations. The most notable Orders are the Order of Our Martyred Lady, the Order of the Bloody Rose, the Order of the Sacred Rose, the Order of the Argent Shroud, the Order of the Valorous Heart, and the Order of the Ebon Chalice. Each of these Orders has its own distinct traditions, tactics, and favored weaponry, but all share an unbreakable commitment to the Emperor’s divine will.
The Sisters of Battle are known not only for their martial prowess but also for their use of Acts of Faith—miraculous abilities believed to be granted by the Emperor himself. These acts can turn the tide of battle, providing the Sisters with incredible resilience, unerring accuracy, and divine intervention when needed most. Their presence on the battlefield is both a beacon of hope for the faithful and a harbinger of doom for heretics, mutants, and xenos who dare oppose the Imperium.