The Adeptus Ministorum, or Ecclesiarchy as it is commonly known, is the official church of the Imperium. This massive organization is dedicated to spreading the worship and veneration of the Emperor as a living god throughout the galaxy.

Founded by the fanatical Fatidicus, the Adeptus Ministorum continues to preach the edicts and ideals of the Imperial Creed wherever Imperial citizens may thrive. Transgressions against the church are considered heresy and no sin is too small to be punished in the dark future of the 41st Millennium.

For nearly ten thousand years, the Ecclesiarchy has guided and focused the faith of countless billions of Imperial citizens. Through the efforts of its Missionaries, Preachers, and Confessors, it has ensured the continued worship of the Emperor as a divine being which holds the very fabric of Imperial society together.

The Battle Sisters of the Orders Militant make up the military arm of the Ecclesiarchy. Made up entirely of warrior women, the Sisters of Battle are utterly dedicated to the protection of the Imperium from any threat. Trained from birth and equipped to the highest standards, these zealous servants of the Ministorum can be found fighting alongside other Imperial armies or pursuing their own Wars of Faith across the galaxy.

Each of the Orders Militant is lead by a Canoness. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day activities and spiritual well-being of the Order, the Canoness commands the Sisters of Battle army in combat. As well as being a devastating combatant in her own right, the Canoness can be accompanied by a bodyguard of elite Celestians who can be found using their superior skills where the fighting is thickest.

The bulk of the Sisters of Battle army is formed of Battle Sisters squads whose deep faith in the Imperial Cult provides them with the steadfast determination they need to combat any foes whether they be alien heathens or apostate humans.

Battle Sister Squads are led by a Sister Superior (shown above) who is normally the most experienced Veteran in her unit. Similar in many respect to the Tactical Squads of the Space Marines, Battle Sister Squads are equipped and armed with the boltguns and power armour. Each Battle Sister unit may incorporate a number specialists armed with flamers, meltaguns, or even a heavy weapon.

Each of the Orders Militant bases its uniforms on the garments worn by the original Daughters of the Emperor cult from which the Adepta Sororitas was developed. The Order of the Ebon Chalice and The Order of the Blood Rose (pictured below left and righ respectively) display the colors of the original convents whose names they share. All of the Orders Militant use the three main colors - black, white and red in the design of their uniforms.

Those Battle Sisters who show exceptional talent for close combat are inducted into the assault squads of the Seraphim (shown above). Here they begin to receive the intense hand-to-hand combat training that will turn them into the avenging angels of the battlefield. What makes them so feared is that they are equipped with jumppacks and two bolt pistols! While most assault troops are armed with a pistol and close combat weapon, the veritable hail of fire the Seraphim can produce is truly staggering.

The reliability, well-armored protection, and speed of the Rhino Armored Personnel Carrier (commonly referred to a Rhino) has led to its adoption as the transport vehicle of choice for both the Adepta Sororitas and Space Marine armies.

The ability to transport up to ten Battle Sisters across rapidly and with relative safety makes this stalwart tank the perfect vehicle for deploying troops all across the battlefield.

Whether it is transporting the slow moving Retributor squads into position, or moving the Battle Sister cadres to the front lines, the Rhino has served the Sisters of Battle well.

At present Codex: Sisters of Battle isn't available, but all of the information needed to play a Sisters of Battle army is included in the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook. You can find it, and the entire collection of Sisters of Battle miniatures at Games Workshop Hobby Centers, Chapter Approved stores, and better hobby and gaming shops all over the world.