THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Cyril. While the truth is present, it reaches us as if through a haze, for the significance of the law is deeply layered. 'If the offering is a burnt sacrifice... from the herd, whether of sheep or goats, he must offer a male without defect... and shall slaughter it at the north side of the altar' (Lev. 1:10-11). This offering must similarly be broken into pieces, with its innards disposed of in the same fashion as that of the calf. It is also permissible to present this offering upon the altar, and this too invites contemplation of its meaning. Yet, there exists an additional implication: the lamb was sacrificed 'on the north side of the altar.' Palladius. What does this ceremony signify? Cyril.
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Are you not aware that the land of the Jews lies further south, while the regions to the north, closer to the sea, were populated by countless Gentiles in various settlements? Palladius. That is correct. Cyril. Thus, the fact that the lamb is slaughtered in the northern region symbolizes that even those many people from the north will be dedicated to God. This aligns with what the Savior declared regarding the Gentiles, stating, 'I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also. They will hear My voice, and there will be one flock and one Shepherd' (John 10:16). Palladius. I grasp your explanation.