THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Above all else, and as a foundational aspect of a sacred life, the Sodeler calls upon us to maintain the purity of our bodies. A body that is free from blemish, disgrace, and dishonor serves as a gateway to spiritual elevation. It is the responsibility of parents to guide us toward what is best; however, should the guardians of the young be negligent and indifferent, or worse, lead their children toward shameful actions, they will face severe consequences for corrupting those they have brought into the world. They cast into the pits of ruin those for whom it would be preferable for them to perish, as this is also mandated for fathers.
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The individual who exposes his young daughter to public disgrace will not only justly bear blame for her, but will also be held accountable by the ultimate Judge for all who have fallen into dishonor. By establishing a trap of death, he ensnares many, though not all may be caught; yet, judgment will not hinge on what has occurred, but rather on the potential outcomes of such actions. Of such a woman, wise Solomon has written: a woman is ‘a net, and her heart a snare, and her hands are fetters’ (Ecclesiastes 7:27). Therefore, it is essential for the Lawgiver to proclaim: ‘Let not thy daughter be defiled with sexual immorality, and let not the earth commit adultery’; for if there were no women at all to lead one into the guilt of sexual immorality, it would certainly be easier to avoid this tragedy, even if one's heart were deeply inclined toward lust and faced total inability.