Old Testament; traditionally died at age 123 (c. 1445 B.C. by OCA reckoning)
The brother of Moses and Miriam, appointed by God as the first high priest of Israel, who served at the altar and bore the names of the tribes before the Lord as the people came up out of Egypt.
The Holy and Righteous Aaron the High Priest
Aaron was the elder brother of the Prophet Moses and of Miriam, and is venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church as a righteous Old Testament saint. Born in Goshen in Lower Egypt to Amram and Jochebed of the tribe of Levi, he served as the spokesman of Moses before Pharaoh during the liberation of the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt, and was afterward appointed by God as the first High Priest of Israel.
As the first of the Aaronide priesthood, Aaron ministered at the altar and bore before the Lord the office of intercession for the people. The OCA reckons that he lived circa 1445 B.C. He is commemorated on July 20, on the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers (December 14) among the ancestors of Christ, and in some traditions on September 4 (September 17 on the Julian calendar) together with his brother Moses.
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee.
Aaron's parents were Amram and Jochebed of the tribe of Levi. His elder sister was Miriam and his younger brother was the Prophet Moses. He married Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon, from the tribe of Judah. They had four sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar — though only Eleazar and Ithamar produced descendants. All subsequent Levitical priests who claimed Aaronide descent traced their lineage through his line.
As the first High Priest of Israel, Aaron received exclusive priestly authority for himself and his male descendants. He was arrayed in the robes of office and controlled the Urim and Thummim, by which the will of God could be determined; his primary vestments included a turban or miter and a jeweled breastplate.
When Aaron completed the altar offerings for the first time and, together with Moses, blessed the people, divine fire consumed the offerings, establishing the legitimacy of the Aaronide priesthood. The priestly blessing of Numbers 6:24–26, delivered by Aaron and his sons, remains significant in Jewish and Christian liturgical tradition. At Aaron's death, his priestly garments passed to his son Eleazar.
In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Aaron is venerated as a righteous saint. The OCA commemorates him on July 20, on the same calendar day as the Holy Prophet Elijah, noting that he lived circa 1445 B.C. as the first Old Testament High Priest, son of Amram and Jochebed of the tribe of Levi, and elder brother of Moses and Miriam, born in Egypt.
He is also commemorated on the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers (December 14), keeping company with the other Old Testament saints and ancestors of Christ. In some traditions, and in the Maronite Church, he is additionally commemorated on September 4 (September 17 on the Julian calendar), shared with his brother Moses.
Aaron was of the tribe of Levi; among his close kin several are venerated as Old Testament saints.
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