Editing Hierarchs

{{Status|Canon}}

|image=[[File:Hierarchs.png|350px]]

|term=One [[History of the Covenant|Age]]<ref name="enc125">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 125'' (2011 edition)</ref>

The '''Hierarchs''', also known as '''High Prophets''', ruled the entire [[Covenant]], serving as the highest theocratic leaders in the [[High Council]]. Hierarchs rule with near absolute power over the Covenant, and the other races obey their will without question. The last three Hierarchs came to power in the beginning of the [[Ages of Reclamation|9th Age of Reclamation]] in [[2525]].{{Ref/Reuse|enc125}} The title of Hierarch was dissolved following the death of the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] along with the dissolution of the Covenant on [[2552|December 11, 2552]].{{Ref/Reuse|h3covenant}}

The title of Hierarch had existed before the establishment of the [[Covenant]], as early as [[860 BCE]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''', ''page 6''</ref> By the time of the Covenant's formation, the Hierarchs were a triumvirate composed of three [[San'Shyuum]] that served as the highest authorities among the Covenant and held the most political and religious power.{{Ref/Reuse|enc125}} The true duty of the Hierarchs was to help guide the Covenant toward the [[Covenant religion|Great Journey]].<ref>'''Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe''', ''page 126'' (2011 edition)</ref> The Hierarchs led the Covenant [[High Council]]. Hierarchs had complete control over the distribution of all [[Forerunner]] relics and technology—likely more so than the [[Ministry of Fortitude]]—and could distribute them however the Hierarch thought best benefited the Covenant.<ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page 159''</ref> If an individual failed a "holy mission" assigned to them by a Hierarch, dire consequences would result and [[capital punishment|execution]] may occur.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 170''</ref> Among their powers are composition and reorganization of fleets within the [[Covenant fleet|Covenant naval branch]], even without the approval of the High Council,<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 349''</ref> and appointing an [[Arbiter]] from among the [[Sangheili]] to serve as the "Will of the Prophets".<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Arbiter]]''</ref> The Hierarchs also had the authority to create new Ministries within the Covenant, sometimes for the personal gain and ambition of one Hierarch.<ref name="bc51">'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 51''</ref> The Hierarchs often issued edicts ''ex cathedra''; these edicts may have comprised general declarations, though they typically contained executive orders. As they were extensions of the Hierarchs' will, these edicts could not be refuted.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]''', ''[[Halo Wars Timeline Events|Timeline]]''</ref>

The Hierarchs typically remained in the Covenant holy city of [[High Charity]], although they would occasionally embark to lead a battle. The Hierarchs often occupied the [[High Council Chamber]] to lead High Council sessions or hold court trials, along with the High Councilors of the Covenant. The Hierarchs could also assign duties and tasks to other members of the Covenant in the [[Hall of Sacred Guidance]].<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 72''</ref> The [[Sanctum of the Hierarchs]] was the private quarters of the High Prophets that was only accessible to very high-ranking members of the Covenant.<ref name="fs338">'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''pages 338-339''</ref> The [[Palace of the Hierarchs]] was the private reception chamber used by the Hierarchs.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 194''</ref>

The Hierarchs followed the ''[[Book of Hierarchs]]''—an official ruling book.<ref name="bc161">'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 161''</ref> Despite the Hierarchs' power and influence, they did not have right or power to stop the San'Shyuum that enforced the [[Roll of Celibates]] from completing their tasks.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 265''</ref> A Hierarch assigning an important mission to individuals without informing the rest of the Hierarchs was considered a violation of Council protocol. However, the protocol was often violated. The [[Prophet of Excellent Redolence|High Prophet of Excellent Redolence]] tasked the [[Mken 'Scre'ah'ben|Prophet of Inner Conviction]] with recovering a [[Luminary]] and female San'Shyuum on [[Janjur Qom]] without informing the rest of the Hierarchs.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 73''</ref> The High Prophets of Truth and Regret often operated while keeping each other unaware of their separate, ambitious activities. Hierarchs could appoint other San'Shyuum to be their Secondary Administrator, essentially an assistant to the Hierarch.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 193''</ref> [[Steward]]s would also serve as aids to Hierarchs.<ref>'''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''', ''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminal 1]]''</ref>  

Each Hierarch was dressed in a loose-sleeved robe with different coloring. Hierarchs donned golden headdresses that displayed a blue [[holography|holographic]] [[Halo Array|Halo installation]] on their forehead.<ref name="bc159">'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 159''</ref> Hierarchs sat upon a [[anti-gravity chair|gravity throne]], luxurious anti-gravity chairs with gold, collar-like plating and were equipped with [[energy shielding]].<ref>'''Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe''', ''page 136'' (2011 edition)</ref> The Hierarchs were always protected by the [[Covenant Honor Guard]], with the Hierarch's personal guards always prepared to kill anything that attempted to harm the Hierarch. The Honor Guardsmen would also kill any individual that held an unholstered weapon in the presence of a Hierarch.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 144-145''</ref> However, the Sangheili with the title of [[Arbiter]] seemingly were an exception to the law, as seen with Arbiter [[Ripa 'Moramee]] when he activated two [[Type-1 energy sword]]s in front of [[Prophet of Regret|a Hierarch]].<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Scarab (level)|Scarab]]''</ref> The Hierarchs' gravity thrones were outfitted with a powerful [[assault cannon|gravity cannon]] that a Hierarch could use to annihilate any possible threat.{{Ref/Reuse|bc159}}<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]]''</ref>

The following is a list of the known formal decrees and formal edicts made by the Hierarchs.

{{Quote|I must tell you that High Charity now has a new [[Ministry of Anticipatory Security|Ministry]],|[[Qurlom]] relaying a decree from the [[High Prophet of Excellent Redolence]]}}

{{Expand-section}}

{{Quote|It is known the Kig-Yar ship Pitiless has brought forth an Unclean Being's corpse. Hear now, all Kig-Yar vessels are to be searched. Let faithful Sangheili lead teams of Unggoy to all Kig-Yar ships and seek further evidence of the Unclean. It is done.|[[High Prophet of Restraint]]}}

{{Quote|Hear now that 500 teams are to be formed to study the language of the Unclean. Each team to consist of the most clever and most educated Unggoy and Sangheili. These teams to speak only the Unclean language among themselves. The Unclean language to be taught to all military strike teams, that the foe shall be vulnerable.|[[High Prophet of Tolerance]]}}

{{Quote|All within the Covenant, hear now and obey. Weapons and ships of war to descend upon the inhabited world of Epsilon Indi. Strike with all force. No intelligent survivors may remain, upon severest penalty.|[[High Prophet of Truth]]}}

{{Quote|Hear now the infamy in Chi Ceti system. Due to lack of faith on the part of the crew of the vessel Unrelenting, a band of Unclean were able to board and slay. A Science Lance is ordered to be formed to study the captured weapons and armor that mitigation can be taken in future.|[[High Prophet of Regret]]}}

{{Quote|Let the Victory of Epsilon Indi be celebrated by fasting and prayer. Unggoy and Kig-Yar food rations to be eliminated for the next three work periods. Sangheili and Jiralhanae to spend two rest periods in public prayer. All attend the public monitors at the sounding of five bells to observe the execution of those who failed their duty at the Victory.|[[High Prophet of Regret]]}}

{{Quote|Return at fastest possible speed to the world they know as Harvest. We must learn the secrets inside the holy relic before the Great Journey can continue. The humans must not be allowed to enter the artifact; we will do whatever we must to deny them access. All must be resolute in this task, or face punishment.|[[High Prophet of Regret]]}}

{{Quote|It is known that there is a delay installing Luminaries upon newly constructed vessels of war. On each vessel still lacking a Luminary, 1 Unggoy worker out of every 64 is to be executed. To preserve discipline between the Sangheili overseers and Unggoy, choice of victim and execution is to be by Kig-Yar death squads. This is to continue daily until that vessel's Luminary is installed.|[[High Prophet of Truth]]}}

{{Quote|Hear now, all personnel to spend today's second rest period in attentive watchfulness before display monitors. All display monitors to show the humbling punishment of the Sangheili Supreme Commander of the Fleet of Particular Justice for failure, cowardice, and lack of faith.|[[High Prophet of Truth|High Prophets of Truth]], [[High Prophet of Regret|Regret]], and [[High Prophet of Mercy|Mercy]]}}

*'''[[Changing of the Guard]]/[[Great Schism]]'''

{{Quote|In recognition of the virtue of the Jiralhanae, it is ordered that all Sangheili aboard the Fleet of Profound Solitude, The Fleet of Tranquil Composure, and the Fleet of Inner Knowledge to be completely replaced by Jiralhanae. Each removed Sangheili is to be assigned other duties. In celebration, all imprisoned or criminal Jiralhanae to be released, rehabilitated, and pardoned.|[[High Prophet of Truth]]}}

The inauguration of a new set of Hierarchs generally coincided with the beginning of a new [[History of the Covenant|Age]]. In order to become a Hierarch, a San'Shyuum would have to receive the "blessing" of the [[Mendicant Bias|Oracle]] of High Charity. However, the Oracle had not spoken for millennia. Instead, the ascension process of a Hierarch was steeped in political machinations and often the bribery of the Oracle's keeper—the [[Philologist]].{{Ref/Reuse|enc125}}<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 274''</ref> After speaking with the Oracle, the three San'Shyuum would announce their intentions to replace the current Hierarchs in front of the High Council and state their reasons. Although possible to announce their intent to the Council without a third San'Shyuum, it would make them seem less legitimate and a third individual would have to be selected after the announcement.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''pages 286-287''</ref> However, unseating a Hierarch was not an easy task, as the Hierarchs would often try to use all the influence they had at their disposal to keep their title and prevent the declaration of a new Age.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 156''</ref> After being approved of by the High Council, a grand ceremony known as the [[Ascension (ceremony)|Ascension]] would occur to formally declare the coming of a new Age and introduce the new Hierarchs to the rest of the Covenant. Then, the newly-risen Hierarchs would humbly ask the Oracle to bless the new Age. Upon their ascension, a Hierarch may choose a regal name from a list of former Hierarch names.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''pages 379-383''</ref>

During the appointment of a new Age and a new set of Hierarchs, it was acceptable for one of the previous Hierarchs to keep their title and position, and continuing serving as a Hierarch alongside two new ones. While this generally allowed for a smoother transition, bitterness would often ensure.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 268''</ref> A Hierarch could step down from the throne if they believed that their health was becoming a concern.{{Ref/Reuse|bc51}} However, a retired Hierarch could still voice their opinion in the High Council.{{Ref/Reuse|bc161}} In the rare event of the death of a Hierarch, another high-ranking and influential San'Shyuum would be given the opportunity to replace the missing Hierarch.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 208''</ref>

*[[High Prophet of Solemnity]] (c. [[2142]])

*Each of the three Hierarchs in the original ''Halo'' trilogy were killed by a different enemy of the Covenant faction. Regret was killed by [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]], Mercy was killed by the [[Flood]], and Truth was killed by [[Thel 'Vadam]]'s [[Fleet of Retribution]]. It is also worthy of note that all three were eventually infected by the Flood prior to or immediately following their deaths.

*Many Prophets have titles that are the polar opposite of how they actually act. The easiest example of this could be the [[Prophet of Truth]], who lied and schemed his way to the position of Hierarch. The [[Prophet of Regret]] is also an example, as he regrets nothing until his blunder in the [[Battle for Earth]].

**One notable exception is the [[Prophet of Tolerance]], who promoted good relations between the Covenant's member species.

File:HTV-Hierarchs.png|The Hierarchs in ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''.

File:Enc22 Hierarchs.jpg|Artwork of the Hierarchs Regret, Truth, and Mercy for the ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)]]''.

File:HINF ProphetsHolo.png|A hologram of the Hierarchs in ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.

**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''

{{Ref/Sources|2}}