About the diamond stone that the high priest wore when he entered the Holy of Holies three times a year

Diamond stone is similar in color to air. It was worn by the high priest when he entered the Holy of Holies. And he entered three times a year: on the feast of Easter, Pentecost and Tabernacles. He then rested on the chest of the high priest as he put on the podir, and on top of the podir he put on the outer robe (epomide). The epimis went down somewhat below the chest: for its length was a span and a half. And on the right and left sides, above the nipples, where two shields were sewn, two emeralds hung. In the middle of them was a phenomenon 1, which was nothing more than the mentioned diamond, similar to air in color. Then the above 12 stones were placed above the shoulders 2. Three times a year, as it is said, the high priest appeared to the people with a golden coat on his forehead (Ex. 28, 36 et al.). And if people were in sins and did not walk according to the commandments that God gave, then, they say, the color of that stone changed and became black. From here they knew that the Lord had sent death. And when He sent death on them from the sword, the color of the stone turned bloody, as it says in the book of Jeremiah: “cut off” his people, “and let them come out... like unto death, unto death: like unto sword, unto sword: like unto famine, unto famine: like unto captivity, unto captivity” (Jer. 15:1-2). If he was as bright as snow, then the people knew that there was no sin in him. And then they celebrated, as the prophet says: “Celebrate, Judas, your holidays, repay your vows. The Lord has taken away your iniquity, He has delivered you from the hand of your enemies: the Lord will reign in your midst; you shall see no evil” (Nahum. 1:15; Zeph. 3:15). Therefore, under Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, during his next ministry, at Easter, the stone was bright. Zechariah had only just begun to serve as a priest that year. And next thing, the other one took the podir. When Zechariah delayed staying in the Holy of Holies, the people were worried, lest the stone serve as a denunciation of their sins. And when he went out and the people knew that he had seen a vision of great glory, they rejoiced greatly. For John, the angel of Christ, was born. Therefore, the golden girl appeared shining 3. But since those twelve stones were commanded to be attached to the breastplate according to the twelve tribes of Israel, so that each stone corresponded to a separate tribe, then, according to the division made before, let us now move on to the order of the sons born of Jacob. Because this way it is more convenient to bring the two into correspondence. There are four sons of Leah: Reuben, Sardi; Simeon, topaz; Levi, emerald; Judas, anfrax. There are two sons of Bilhah. Bilhah was Rachel's servant. And since Rachel did not give birth, she gave her to Jacob as a wife to have children. Her children are: Dan, sapphire; Naphtali, Jaspis. There are two sons of Zilpah. Zilpah was Leah's servant, who gave her to Jacob as a wife to have children. Her children are: Gad, Lygrius; Asir, agate. There are two sons of Leah: Isachar, an amethyst; Zebulon, chrysolite. Rachel's sons are two: Joseph, beryl; Benjamin, onychius. Here are twelve stones corresponding to the twelve tribes of Israel. Heb. Urim (אוּרים) is a name that is still the subject of dispute between interpreters. According to the word derivation from אוֹר - to shine, it means: light phenomena, revelations and refers to that high right of the Old Testament high priest - to question the Lord, receive from Him and give people answers, which was discussed above. St. Epiphanius explains the matter closer to its material side, following the interpretations of some rabbis. Since in the time of St. Epiphanius had already forgotten the Old Testament worship with all its rituals and accessories, it is not surprising that he fell into a misunderstanding regarding Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. He attributed to Zechariah the belongings and actions of the high priest, whereas from the Gospel of Luke 1, 5 et al. it is clear that he was only a priest. You might be interested in: