THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Furthermore, it is evident that we will receive the blessings granted from the beginning and that humanity shall once again experience the joy of Paradise, a truth that the Scriptures clearly reveal to us. The command was given to observe the festival in the seventh month, specifically on the fifteenth day, and to take in hand the boughs of palm trees along with “the boughs of beautiful trees, the boughs of broad-leaved trees, and the boughs of the willows of the river.” This was not a mere suggestion, as it was prescribed for the first and seventh days of the month; the first day has been designated as “the holy convocation” (Leviticus 23:35), as has the seventh day (Leviticus 23:36).
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This detail subtly suggests that Paradise was initially bestowed upon the first man, Adam, and it will ultimately be granted again at the culmination of this age, with the seventh day serving as a potent symbol of this promise. Both the first and seventh days are sacred: the first being the time when our ancestor Adam faithfully adhered to the divine command, while the last signifies holiness as we are sanctified in Christ, having been freed from sin's condemnation and made recipients of the Holy Spirit.
Cyril. Further decreeing, he states: "And on the fifteenth day, which is the day of the seventh month, when you gather the harvest of the land, you shall observe the feast of the Lord for seven days. On the first day, you shall rest, and on the eighth day, you shall rest. On the first day, you shall take beautiful branches from trees, palm branches, branches of leafy trees, and branches of willows from the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. You shall celebrate this feast of the Lord for seven days each year; it is a lasting ordinance throughout your generations; in the seventh month, you shall celebrate it" (Lev. 23:39-41).
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Do you now grasp that after gathering the bread from the fields into the barn, once the fruits of every individual have been collected, the next feast is the most glorious Feast of Tabernacles? This feast symbolizes life in paradise and elevates humanity to partake in the original blessings. The Feast of Tabernacles represents the true and spiritual construction of human bodies, which endure decay but are revived to incorruption. The rest on the first and eighth days symbolizes the time before the Fall, when sin had not yet entered and burdened us with its heavy yoke. In paradise, through Adam, the progenitor of our race, we had a life free from all toil. When Christ entered our world, the cycle of labor transitioned back to the original state on the eighth day, which is also the day following the Sabbath according to the Law's timing. In casting off the burdensome and disgraceful yoke of sin, we were liberated because Christ invites us through faith, saying, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Thus, the day of rest, the first day of the week, points to the original state of humanity, and it is also the eighth day, the day of Christ’s resurrection, who bore on His cross "the handwritten document that was against us" (Col. 2:14), dying for all to free us from both death and sin, delivering us from punishment and labor, allowing us to attain through Him the original "rest" (Heb. 4:11). It is said on the first day, "Let them take for themselves the fruit of the tree of goodness and the branch of the palm tree," among other branches. This illustrates that, in Christ, God bestows upon us once more the delights of paradise, from which we were separated due to original sin. Through Adam, we were expelled from Paradise, but through Christ, we are restored to it. You are aware that He told the criminal crucified beside Him, "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). For Christ has removed the guarding sword (Genesis 3:24), and at last, the way into Paradise is opened to believers, as He has restored all things to their original condition (Rom. 11:29). The branches from the ever-blooming trees represent the continuity of grace and signify the perpetual hope; "For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable," as written. Indeed, the joy of the saints is uninterrupted, as the wise Isaiah proclaims, "And everlasting joy shall be upon their heads... sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (Isaiah 35:10). The regulations regarding this feast also include the command to rejoice from the source of water; it is said that on the last day of the week, or on the eighth day, water should be drawn from the stream to bring joy to the believers. The mental and heavenly stream is Christ, who flows from above, refreshing the souls of those who honor Him. Thus, He affirms through the prophets: "Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream" (Isaiah 66:12). The divine David also declares to God the Father, "How precious is Thy mercy, O God! The children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy wings. They feast on the abundance of Thy house, and from Your river of delights, You give them to drink" (Psalms 36:8-9). It is indeed fitting and just that the citizens of Paradise should fully engage with Christ and revel in the bountiful blessings of the Spirit. Palladius. Truly, that is appropriate, and you speak wisely. Cyril. Note that this feast was observed only in Jerusalem, hence it was essential for the inhabitants of all Judea to gather there. This could signify that all who have led honorable lives will surely be gathered to the highest city, the heavenly Jerusalem, to celebrate with Christ. Conversely, those who remain unfaithful, who do not embrace the grace of the Resurrection and have rejected this profound sacrament, will face condemnation and calamity. They shall be subjected to judgment. This is echoed by the faithful prophet Zechariah, who states, "And it shall come to pass, that if any of the families of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, they shall receive no rain. And if the family of Egypt does not go up, neither will it rain on them, and they shall suffer as the Lord will punish the nations that do not celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles" (Zechariah 14:17-18). (Col. 1:18), and indeed He is so. Palladius. Your reasoning is sound. Cyril. Just be aware of this. Palladius. What is it? Cyril. In the Law, which we have just referenced, various sacrifices for all seasons were prescribed, including those for the new months, the Sabbath, fasting, and the greatly anticipated Feast of Tabernacles. The Law consistently adds, "who brought burnt offerings to the Lord." However, while the specifics of what sacrifices pertain to the new month, the Sabbaths, the fast, and the Feast of Tabernacles are omitted from Leviticus, they are elaborated upon in detail in the book of Numbers.