THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
The land of Judea was abundant with numerous cities and towns, yet the Lord commanded that the offerings and observance of the Passover be conducted solely in the sacred city. This reflects the intent of the law, highlighting that it is neither fitting nor allowable to celebrate the sacrament of Christ in any manner or at any location outside of the designated place—the holy city, which is the Church. Within this Church, a legitimate priesthood is present where the sacrifice is offered with sanctified hands, and 'incense is offered to God Almighty, and the sacrifice is pure', as stated by the prophet (Malachi 1:11).
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Heretics, who distort the truth, disregard this law; they perform sacrifices outside of the holy city and do so not through those anointed by the Spirit for the priestly role. As the apostle Paul indicates, they assume this ‘honor’ (Hebrews 5:4) upon themselves, offering sacrifices indiscriminately. They behave like unrestrained and restless cattle, chasing after their own desires. However, they will face dire consequences from the Divine Judge for such reckless thoughts should they succumb to their unchecked behavior.
We shall follow the established path, scrutinizing the ordinance of the law we have cited—expressed clearly in the directive: ‘Keep the month of Abib...kill the Passover to the Lord your God of both small and large cattle.’ Some may argue that the law of the Passover, as given to the Israelites in Egypt, mandated only the sacrifice of a lamb, with no mention made of sheep or cattle. Did Moses then fail in his duties? Certainly not, for in the Book of Numbers, God prescribed that both oxen and sheep were to accompany the lamb in the sacrifices. It is written: ‘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 assembly; you shall not engage in any labor. You shall present a sacrifice, a burnt offering to the Lord: Two bullocks, one ram, and seven yearling lambs—without blemish. With them, you shall provide a grain offering of wheat flour mixed with oil, three-tenths of an ephah for every bullock, two-tenths of an ephah for each ram, and one-tenth of an ephah for each of the seven lambs, along with one goat for a sin offering, for your purification; in addition to the morning burnt offering, which is a continual burnt offering. Each of the seven days, you shall present this sacrifice; it is a bread offering, a pleasing aroma unto the Lord, in addition to the continual burnt offering and its accompanying libation. On the seventh day, you shall have a holy assembly; you shall not do any work’ (Num. 28:16-25).