THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Others, He states, who are unaware of You, Lord and Creator of all, ensnared in the web of emptiness and worshipping false deities, who look to the flight of birds with misguided hope and guide those without law—these individuals do not seek Your mercy and have never placed their trust in it. However, I am not among them; I know You to be the helper, the good, and the merciful. Thus, with tears and earnest supplication, I will acknowledge You, and I will present to You the sweet aroma of my songs of gratitude, along with spiritual offerings of praise and glory. Moreover, I will make vows for salvation, those things that nurture my salvation and uplift my soul.
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This was in adherence to all that is pleasing to God and the fulfillment of the prophetic role, achieved by overcoming all forms of lethargy and fear. The prophet prayed while in the belly of the great fish, which serves as a human representation, though the true manifestation of this event—namely Christ—was revealed at the sacred cross. As He faced the beginning of His suffering, He spoke to the heavenly Father, saying, "If it be possible, let this cup pass from me" (Matthew 26:39). He was engulfed in profound dread. What He uttered during His descent into the realm of the dead is known only to Him, for it is perilous to speculate. Yet, we see that the divine Peter echoes the words of David: "Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, nor wilt thou allow thy Holy One to see corruption" (Psalm 15:10); for He rose on the third day, having vanquished the grave (Acts 2:24-31), so that He, who is life by nature, could not be constrained by the shackles of death.