The Theological Virtues: Faith, Charity, Hope Italian (Umbrian) Painter, Italian This  Sunday’s lectionary reading  from the Epistles is 1 Corinthians 13:1–13, which presents the three "theological virtues." In this art, each of these virtues are represented by young women, accompanied by an attribute: at the feet of Faith a dog, a common symbol of fidelity; at the feet of Charity a pelican symbolic of Christ's sacrifice; and at the feet of Hope a phoenix, symbolizing Christ'