Phinehas, High Priest of Israel

Saint Righteous Phinehas, son of the high priest Eleazar and grandson of Aaron, was a priest and a zealous defender of true worship. He fought against wickedness when the Moabites led the Israelites into the service of Baal. For his courageous act, when he struck down the chief Zimri and the Midianite woman, God turned away His wrath from the people and granted Phinehas a covenant of peace and eternal priesthood.

Phinehas became the leader of the Israelites in the war against the Moabites and showed wisdom in reconciling the people. After the death of his father, he was unanimously chosen as high priest, and his priesthood continued in his descendants. Saint Phinehas died in old age and was buried on the mountain in the tribe of Ephraim.