Righteous Aaron

The Righteous Aaron (1445 B.C.) was the first Old Testament High Priest. The son of Amram and Jochebed of the tribe of Levi, and elder brother of the Prophet Moses and Miriam, was born in Egypt. He assisted Moses in freeing the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt, appearing before Pharaoh as the Prophet's representative, and speaking for him (Exodus 4:14-17).

Later Aaron took part in the forty-year wandering of the Hebrews in the wilderness, where, at God's behest, he was consecrated as the first High Priest (Exodus chapter 29).

Aaron reposed at the age of 123 years, in 1445 B.C. on Mount Or in the wilderness. Like Moses, he was not worthy to reach the Promised Land, and was punished for murmuring against God (Numbers 20:10).

Aaron's entire family was chosen by God for priestly ministry in the Old Testament Church, and the title of High Priest was preserved by his descendants until the coming of Christ the Savior on earth, passing in succession to the eldest son in the family.

The descendants of Aaron are called "the sons of Aaron" and "the house of Aaron" in the Holy Scriptures. According to the teaching of the Apostle Paul (Hebrews 5:4-6), as High Priest, Aaron was a type of Jesus Christ, the High Priest of the New Israel - the New Testament Church. He is also commemorated on Bright Wednesday (Synaxis of the Saints of Sinai); on the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers; and on the Sunday of the Holy Fathers.

In Greek practice, the Righteous Aaron is commemorated on March 12.