Heroic virtue

Heroic virtue is the translation of a phrase coined by Augustine of Hippo to describe the virtue of early Christian martyrs. The expression, which was extended to the holiness of the life of any candidate for beatification, is used by the Roman Catholic Church.

The Greek pagan term hero described a person with possibly superhuman abilities and great goodness. "[I]t connotes a degree of bravery, fame, and distinction which places a man high above his fellows". The term was later applied to other highly virtuous people who do extraordinary good works.

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