THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Even the apparent flaws and the weaknesses that lie deep within our thoughts, along with every other frailty, are solely addressed by Christ. He provides the purification that the law cannot achieve; as it is stated, “no man is justified by the law” (Galatians 3:11). This becomes clear when we examine the following words from the law.
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It states that “when he that hath an effluvium shall be delivered from his effluvium, then shall he count himself seven days for his purification, and wash his clothes, and wash his body with living water, and he shall be clean.” Additionally, “on the eighth day he shall take for himself two turtledoves or two young pigeons, and shall come before the Lord to the entrance of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall give them to the priest: and the priest shall offer of these birds one for a sin-offering, and the other for a burnt-offering: and the priest shall cleanse him before the Lord from his discharge.” Thus, it is Christ who cleanses those who release the seed and heals them from their afflictions, solely through water and blood. He commands, “let him number seven days for his cleansing,” and “let him wash his garments, and let him wash his body with water, and he shall be clean.” The seven days of purification indicate that throughout life, anyone wishing to transition from worldly sin to the pursuit of good works must be made pure by such good deeds. The period of seven days symbolizes completeness and a return to the original state, as time reaches its conclusion. He makes it clear that purification through Christ and cleansing by water must accompany our good works, indicating that the washing of the body and garments refers to holy baptism, enhanced evidently by the cleansing of blood. For “on this day,” He says, “let him take to himself two turtledoves or two young pigeons.”