Do you comprehend now that after the harvest of grain is gathered into the barns, and the fruits of every person have been collected, the upcoming feast is the glorious Feast of Tabernacles, symbolizing the way of life in paradise and elevating humanity to partaking in the original blessings. The Feast of Tabernacles signifies the spiritual and true formation of our bodies, followed by their renewal to a state of immortality after the decay. Rest is observed on both the first and eighth days because, prior to the first transgression, when sin had not yet entered and burdened us with its oppressive yoke, we lived in paradise through Adam, the ancestor of our lineage, in a life of peace, free from toil. However, when Christ came into the world, the labor we experienced transitioned back to the original state on the eighth day, which is after the Sabbath according to the law, or fulfilling the appointed time, and we, having shed the unbearable and shameful yoke of sin, were freed from all burdens because Christ invites us to this through faith, declaring: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Thus, the day of rest is the first day of the week, representing the original time for humanity; it is also the eighth day, when Christ rose again, having nailed to His cross “the handwriting of ordinances that was against us” (Col. 2:14), and died for all, to deliver us from death and sins, freeing us from punishment and toil, that we might attain through Him the original “rest” (Heb. 4:11). It is stated on the first day to gather the fruit of the tree of brightness and the branch of the phoenix, among other branches, illustrating how the situation itself cries out, just as if it were a clear case, that in Christ God bestows upon us the delights of paradise, even though we were deprived of them during the intermediary time due to the original offense. In Adam, we were cast out of Paradise, but through Christ, we are restored to it. You know that He declared to the thief crucified alongside Him, “Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43); for Christ has removed the flaming sword from us (Genesis 3:24), and now the entrance to Paradise is opened for believers, as He has reinstated all things to their original condition (Rom. 11:29). The branches from ever-blooming plants symbolize an everlasting grace and the perpetual hope: “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance,” as it is written. Truly, the happiness of the saints is uninterrupted, as the wise Isaiah exclaims, “And everlasting joy shall be upon their heads... and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 35:10). Alongside the laws for this feast is the command to draw water from the stream during the eighth day, so that the faithful may rejoice. This spiritual and heavenly stream is Christ, who flows from above to quench the thirst of souls that honor Him. Therefore, He speaks through the prophets: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like a flowing stream” (Isaiah 66:12). The divine David also proclaims, addressing the God of all: “How precious is Thy mercy, O God! The children of men take refuge under the shadow of Thy wings. They feast on the abundance of Thy house, and You give them drink from the river of Your delights” (Psalms 36:8-9); for it is fitting and just for the citizens of Paradise to richly commune with Christ and revel in the abundant provisions of the Spirit. Palladius. Indeed, it is appropriate, and you are correct in your reasoning. Cyril. Note also that this feast was celebrated only in Jerusalem, necessitating that the people from all Judea come together here. This serves as a sign that all who have led honorable lives will surely gather in the highest city, the heavenly Jerusalem, to celebrate with Christ. Conversely, those who remain unfaithful, who do not accept the grace of the Resurrection and who have rejected this honorable and profound sacrament, will face condemnation and various calamities. They are destined for destruction. The faithful prophet Zechariah testifies to this, stating, “And it shall be that if any of the families of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, there shall be no rain on them. If the family of Egypt does not go up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the Lord strikes the nations that do not come up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles” (Zechariah 14:17-18). (Col. 1:18). Palladius. You reason very well. Cyril. Just understand this. Palladius. What is it? Cyril. The law we referenced names sacrifices from all periods, as well as those for the new moons, the Sabbath offerings, the fasting, and the highly esteemed Feast of Tabernacles. The law adds each time, “who offered burnt offerings to the Lord.” However, it does not specify what type of sacrifices are fitting for the new month or the sabbaths, nor for the fast or the Feast of Tabernacles. Instead, it elaborates on these in detail in the book of Numbers.
THEOSIS