THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
The priests are called to be holy and cleansed, to courageously cast off the burden of death and the chilling thoughts devoid of virtue. This divine mandate is expressed in Scripture: “And the Lord said unto Moses, Declare unto the priests, the children of Aaron, and say unto them: Let them not defile themselves by touching a dead man of their people; only his neighbour’s kinsman, his mother and his father, his son and his daughter, his brother and his sister, a maiden who lives with him and has not been married, may he touch without defiling himself; and he shall not defile himself by touching anyone of his people, lest he become unclean. They shall not shave their heads, nor trim the edges of their beards, nor make cuts on their bodies.
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They shall be holy to their God, and shall not dishonour the name of their God; for they offer sacrifices to the Lord, bread to their God, and therefore they shall be holy” (Leviticus 21:1-6).
On examining this subject truthfully, it becomes evident that one is not inherently defiled by the death of another. However, physical mortality serves as a reflection of internal and spiritual decay, which can taint those who approach it through desire or similar actions. Consequently, it is fitting for the saints to withdraw and distance themselves from deeds that lead to spiritual death and to avoid uniting with those entrapped in such actions; as it is written, “He who touches the pitch will be defiled” (Sir. 13:1). One who does not guard against being attached to this corruption may easily share in the wickedness of another.
Yet, the law allows the sanctified to be in contact with their close family members—parents, children, and siblings—even in death, out of reverence for their humanity. Such actions are not scrutinized by God, provided that His faithful do not appear harsh, arrogant, or lacking in compassion. The law distinctly instructs us: “Honour thy father and thy mother,... That thy days may be long upon the earth” (Ex. 20:12). Additionally, we must acknowledge that the consecrated are prohibited from mourning excessively. How can those who minister life and offer sacrifices to God remain burdened by grief over death?
The Apostle Paul expresses this very sentiment to those baptized into Christ with the promise of eternal life: “But I do not want to leave you, brethren, in ignorance of the dead, lest you should grieve as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, God will also bring those who died in Jesus with Him” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). Thus, while the law permits the consecrated to approach their deceased kin, it advises caution, ensuring they do not misuse this allowance beyond what is appropriate, so as not to tarnish the sacred gift of the priesthood.
For instance, it prohibits the shaving of the head to resemble others or the disfigurement of the face and forbids self-inflicted wounds associated with the misguided practices of Hellenic culture. It is entirely fitting to mourn alongside close relatives; however, to completely disfigure oneself is both absurd and irrational, as it is written: “everything must be decent and respectable” (1 Cor. 14:40). The Savior Himself commanded us to prioritize our obligations to God above all, including our parents, declaring, “Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matt. 10:37).