Covenant religion
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
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The Great Journey is a central theme for the Covenant and its theocratic government; it is their ultimate goal. It is also that which stopped the war between the Prophets and the Elites. The Covenant believe that their gods, the Forerunners, used the Sacred Rings to cleanse the universe of all that is unholy, escaping a doomed existence of fighting an endless struggle against the Flood, and allowing them to transcend into gods, giving them ancient and unlimited power. The Covenant wish to activate the Halo installations to wipe out humanity and the Flood, which would provide salvation for their own doomed existences and allow them to follow the Forerunners to their mysterious destination, where they will share in their power. In Covenant Religious terms the Flood are known as one of the many "obstacles" or "tests" that the Covenant must pass to begin The Great Journey.
On The Ark, during the Halo 3 campaign, several terminals can be found left by the Forerunners, describing the activation of the Halo arrays as the Great Journey. Through such terminals on other Forerunner installations, the Covenant may have learned of the Great Journey, and used that name.
The Heretic Rebellion
- "Soon the Great Journey will begin. But when it does the weight of your heresy will stay your feet, and you shall be left behind."
- — The Prophet of Truth to The Arbiter.
A few of the Covenant, called Heretics, were aware that the Halos, when activated, would destroy all sentient life in the galaxy, including themselves. The Heretics were led by the Elite Sesa 'Refumee, who discovered the true purpose of the Halos from 343 Guilty Spark, the Forerunner construct. The Prophets sent a group of Special Operations Elites and Grunts into their base, a gas mine, accompanied by the new Arbiter, to silence the heretics. 'Refumee was killed by the Arbiter at the Threshold Gas Mine before he could escape, and the heresy was put down.
The Covenant's beliefs
- "The Great Journey waits for no one, brother. Not even you."
- — The Prophet of Truth to the Prophet of Mercy, as the Flood infects him.
Whether the High Prophets really know the true effects of activating a Halo is uncertain, but the very fabric of the Covenant is built on accomplishing it, believing this will be akin to following in the footsteps of the Forerunners and propel them into the "Divine Beyond", a heavenly paradise they will share with the Forerunners. They seem determined to activate the Halos, no matter how much it takes, or costs.
Many Grunts may not care much for religion, as they were more than likely forced into the Covenant, but those that do stayed loyal to the Prophets during the Great Schism. As a species, their opinions may be split. It's possible some Grunts may have remained loyal because they simply feared the Brutes more than the Elites, however.
The Jackals are believed to be more like hired mercenaries than true believers, but still remained with the Prophets during the Great Schism. Their religious beliefs are unknown, but their loyalty to the Prophets who believe unwaveringly is unquestionable.
As artificial sentient biomechanic organisms, Engineers were supposedly created by the Forerunners. They do not seem very religious, preferring to focus their attentions onto the technology they are responsible for. Even prior to the Great Schism, Engineers seemed to remain neutral in any fights, one even going as far as to create a gift symbolizing peace for the Humans. They most likely stayed out of the fights after the Covenant split.
Likewise, Drones and Hunters seem to feel no need for religion in their societies, but continue to follow the Prophets in their attempts to begin it. Individual beliefs may play a part in this. At least some Hunters have sided with the Elites in their opposition to it.
The Elites were once the most devout believers beneath the Prophets. The events at Delta Halo, and their replacement by the Brutes in the Covenant, have disillusioned them to the Great Journey, and they now actively oppose those that continue to believe in it.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
Activation
The Prophet of Truth traveled to Earth to begin the Great Journey by activating the massive structure buried beneath New Mombasa which was once thought to be the ark. Apparently, the sole purpose of this unearthed construct is to generate a portal which leads to the true Ark, Installation 00, which lies 218 light years outside the Milky Way Galaxy. [1]
The Prophet of Truth attempted to start The Great Journey, but was killed by the Arbiter, who stabbed Truth with an Energy Sword. The Master Chief shut down the Ark, once again stopping the Great Journey.
