THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
The land of Judea was populated by numerous cities and communities, yet God decreed that the sacrifices and observance of the Passover should only occur in the sacred city. This illustrates that there is a specific location designated for the administration of Christ’s sacrament — the holy city or the Church, where the legitimate priest performs the offering with consecrated hands and where “incense is offered to God Almighty, and the sacrifice is pure,” as articulated by the prophet (Malachi 1:11). Heretics, who distort the truth, reject this law; they offer sacrifices not in the holy city nor through those appointed by the Spirit to the priesthood. As the apostle Paul instructs us, they actively assume this “honor” (Hebrews 5:4) and present sacrifices anywhere they choose.
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Like unruly and restless beasts, they chase after their own desires. However, such actions will lead to stern consequences from the ultimate Judge if they are swept away by their recklessness. We, on the other hand, will adhere to the established path, reflecting on the ordinance of the law previously mentioned, which states, “Keep the month of Abib...kill the passover to the Lord thy God of small and large cattle.” Some might argue that the lawgiver for those in Egypt commanded the sacrifice of a lamb only, without mentioning sheep or bulls. Did Moses, then, make an error? Not at all; for in the Book of Numbers, God decreed that oxen and sheep should also be included with the lamb. Thus, it is stated, “In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, the passover of the Lord. And on the fifteenth day of this month it shall be a feast; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day, you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no work. You shall offer a sacrifice, a burnt offering to the Lord: Of cattle two bullocks, one ram, and seven yearling lambs; they shall be without blemish. With them, you shall present a grain offering of wheat flour mixed with oil, three tenths of an ephah for every bullock, two tenths of an ephah for every ram, and one tenth of an ephah for each of the seven lambs, and one goat for a sin-offering for your cleansing; in addition to the morning burnt-offering, which is a continual burnt-offering, you shall offer this. Each of the seven days you shall present this sacrifice; it is a bread sacrifice, a pleasing aroma to the Lord; over and above the continual burnt offering and its libations you shall offer this. On the seventh day, you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not engage in labor” (Num. 28:16-25).