THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
The revered prophets, in their announcements of the arrival of our Savior, frequently refer to the inclusion of the Gentiles, for Christ, as previously mentioned, is also the hope of the nations. They convey this message to all tribes and peoples throughout the entirety of creation without exception. Given the vast multitude that fills the heavenly realms, it would be impractical to detail every individual and tribe by name; instead, they often refer to the neighboring nations to Judea, known for their devotion to idolatry, indicating that they too would be called in due time. Therefore, considering that to the south of Judea lies a substantial desert inhabited by the Saracens and Arabs, it is foretold that the dwellers there will eventually receive grace and salvation through Christ.
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Presently, the names of some of the villages in that desert include Prigradia, Kidar, and Petra, which are still recognized in the Arabian region. As previously noted, the inhabitants of these areas have strayed far from God, serving unclean spirits. Since it was intended that they partake in the calling and salvation through the proclamation of the gospel and faith in Christ, the prophet rightly proclaims joy to them, declaring with uplifted voice a call to rejoice: “Be glad, O wilderness, and the inhabitants of Kidar, for those dwelling upon the rock shall rejoice.” This serves as a remarkable demonstration of the power and greatness of our Savior, who easily softened such hardened hearts, leading them away from their former errors to embrace the truth. As foretold by Ezekiel, “I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and replace it with a heart of flesh,” a heart capable of understanding that He is the Lord (Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 20:20). Hence, it is indicated that they too shall be called, as the prophecy states that “the wilderness shall rejoice,” and those who proclaim His glory from the mountaintops, declaring His virtues in the islands, are indeed worthy of recognition. There is nothing to stop us from discerning the called ones themselves, who, residing in Petra, a high and mountainous city, no longer offer praise to false gods but glorify God, who has illuminated them and brought them to the truth. They might also be considered the divine disciples from the peaks of the mountains, whom the prophet invites to declare, “Go up to the high mountain, you who bring good tidings to Zion; lift your voice with strength, you who bring good tidings to Jerusalem; lift it up, do not be afraid” (Isaiah 40:9). They indeed preached with great courage and openly, as a city set upon a hill, with their message not concealed but proclaimed boldly. This aligns with the charge given by the Savior, who instructed, “What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops” (Matthew 10:27). Thus, they glorified God and declared His splendor in the islands, as the words of the holy apostles and evangelists became the herald of the Savior’s majesty. They extolled His indescribable divinity and sang of His unparalleled virtues, not merely among humans but beyond everything that has come into being, equal in essence to God the Father. Furthermore, they recounted His miraculous signs, which transcend both astonishment and speech: restoring the dead to life, treading upon the sea as if it were dry land, commanding the winds, and overthrowing Satan with a single word—all of which bear witness to His divine glory.