Forefather Eleazar, High Priest, Forefather

Forefather Eleazar was the son of the High Priest Aaron and his wife Elisheba, and the nephew of the prophet Moses. During the wandering of the Israelite people in the wilderness, he performed many priestly duties: he covered the altar with bronze plates made from the censers of Korah's rebellious followers, and took part in the slaughter of the red heifer for the purification offering. After Aaron's death on Mount Hor, Eleazar became the second High Priest of Israel and chief over the Levites. From his marriage to one of the daughters of Putiel, a son, Phinehas, was born to him, who inherited the high priesthood from his father. Like other Old Testament righteous ones, Forefather Eleazar has no separate extensive vita and is venerated by the Church collectively, as part of the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers, observed on the Sunday between December 11 and 17 (Old Style).