THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Cyril. This outlines the regulations concerning the offerings made by members of the Israelite community. In a broader sense, these rules establish the sacrificial rites of the holy lineage, as stated: ‘This is the offering of Aaron and his sons, which they shall offer to the Lord on the day of his anointing: A tenth part of an ephah of wheat flour for a continual sacrifice, half of this for the morning and half for the evening; in a pan in oil it shall be cooked; when it is soaked in oil bring it in pieces, as a grain offering is broken in pieces; bring it in a pleasant savour unto the Lord; and the priest anointed in his place of his sons shall perform these things: this is the everlasting statute of the Lord.
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All it shall be burnt; and every grain offering of the priest shall all be burnt, and not eaten’ (Leviticus 6:20-23). Note, Palladius, the meticulous nature of the law and its profound consistency: he did not instruct that the communal offerings made by the congregation be consumed, as their collective life is not wholly sanctified but is, in a manner, shared between the Divine and worldly matters. He intentionally elevated those called to the priesthood, directing that their offerings be completely burned, with the wheat flour presented to God both morning and evening, symbolizing constant devotion. The one who is holy perpetually maintains a spiritual fragrance, undivided between the sacred and the profane, wholly focused on serving the Lord, as if declaring: ‘I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me’ (Galatians 2:19-20). The specified portion of an ephah signifies a life that is always pleasing to God. The phrase ‘in a pan’ and the instruction ‘bring it in pieces, fed with oil’ suggest profound meanings: the pan indicates endurance through trials, while the oil signifies the richness of joy, and bringing it in pieces reflects the gentle nature and comfort that characterize the hearts of the faithful. For in every instance, the life of a saint is marked by perseverance, divine hope, and true comfort. Its enduring quality is underscored by the verse: ‘A broken and humble heart will not be despised by God’ (Psalm 50:19). However, the Scriptures also warn against hardness, as shown by the assertion: 'you are as hard as a stone ... and like an anvil shall not move’ (Job 41:15). This law remains eternal, perpetuated by the lineage of the priesthood. We are called to emulate the commendable deeds of our forebears and to reflect their noble legacy, engaging in their service and presenting to God a pleasing aroma, not as individuals, but as a unified whole. This is likely the intent behind the statement, ‘Every grain offering of the priest shall be burnt entirely.’ Palladius. Therefore, we should present ourselves and dedicate ourselves to God as a pleasing aroma, following the examples set by the saints and imitating their acts of sacred service. Cyril. Indeed, Palladius.