THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Cyril: You are quite aware, and I believe you may find this surprising upon inspection.
Palladius: What are you referring to?
Cyril: When a leader and his followers commit a transgression, it is stated that the appropriate sacrifice should be a calf. However, if the leader sins apart from the rest, they must bring a goat from the flock. And if one from the people commits a sin, then it should be a female animal that is sacrificed rather than a male. If you don’t mind, I will read the specific laws concerning these matters.
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In the event that a ruler sins, inadvertently breaking the commandments of the Lord his God, when he recognizes his offense, he is to bring an unblemished goat as an offering, placing his hand upon its head before sacrificing it in the designated area for burnt offerings unto the Lord. This is a sin offering. The priest will then take some of the offering’s blood with his finger and apply it to the horns of the altar of burnt offerings, pouring the remaining blood at the base of the altar. All the fat shall be burned on the altar as with the fat provided for a peace offering, thus allowing the priest to atone for the sin, resulting in forgiveness (Lev. 4:22-26). Additionally, it is stated, “But if any of the people of the land shall sin by mistake, and shall do anything against the commandments of the Lord, which he ought not to do, and shall be guilty, then, when he shall know the sin wherewith he hath sinned, let him sacrifice a goat without blemish for his sin wherewith he hath sinned” (Lev. 4:27-28). The process for presenting the offering is further clarified: “If out of the flock of sheep he will offer a sin offering, let him offer a female, without blemish” (Lev. 4:32). Thus, Palladius, do you grasp the profound nature of this sacrament, as reflected in the imagery and allusions of the ancients? The sacrifices prescribed correspond to the severity of the transgressions committed.