THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
The region of Judea was populated by numerous cities and towns, yet the Lord specified that the sacrifices and observances of the Passover should take place solely in the sacred city. This directive encapsulates the essence of the law, indicating that it is neither fitting nor acceptable to administer the sacrament of Christ in any form or location other than the holy city, which symbolizes the Church. Here, the legitimate priest presides, and the offering is made with sanctified hands, while 'incense is offered to God Almighty, and the offering is pure,’ as stated by the prophet (Malachi 1:11).
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The heretics, who distort the truth, render this divine instruction meaningless as they sacrifice the lamb outside of the holy city and not through those chosen by the Holy Spirit for the priesthood. As the Apostle Paul warns, they presumptuously assume this ‘honor’ (Hebrews 5:4) and conduct sacrifices wherever they please, like uncontrolled and restless oxen pursuing their whims. Such reckless behavior will incur severe judgment from the Divine Judge if they remain entangled in their folly and madness.
In contrast, we shall adhere to the reliable path, reflecting upon the regulations of the law we have just quoted, which are articulated in the command, 'Observe the month of Abib...slaughter the Passover to the Lord your God from the flock and from the herd.’ However, some may argue that the command for the Passover in Egypt only mentioned the sacrifice of a lamb, with no reference to sheep or cattle. Does this imply that Moses misapplied the divine directive? Certainly not; for in the book of Numbers, God commanded that both oxen and sheep be included with the lamb, stating, 'In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, is the Lord’s Passover. And on the fifteenth day of this month there shall be a feast; seven days shall you eat unleavened bread. On the first day there shall be a holy gathering; you shall not do any work, but you shall offer a burnt offering to the Lord: Two young bulls, one ram, and seven one-year-old lambs without blemish; along with their grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, three-tenths of an ephah for each bull, two-tenths for each ram, and one-tenth for each of the seven lambs; and one goat for a sin offering, to make atonement for you. In addition to the regular morning burnt offering, which is a continual burnt offering, you shall present this. Each day for the seven days, you shall offer this sacrifice, an offering by fire, a pleasing aroma to the Lord; in addition to the morning burnt offering and its drink offering’ (Num. 28:16-25).