THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
That is, the fat from yesterday’s sacrifices should not be raised as a pleasant offering. In the book of Leviticus, the Lawgiver articulates this principle more clearly, saying of the one who offers sacrifices, ‘But if any man offer sacrifice according to a vow, or out of zeal, his sacrifice shall be eaten on the day of the offering, and on the next day the remainder of it may be eaten, but the remainder of the meat of the sacrifice shall be burned with fire by the third day: but if they eat the meat of the peace-offering on the third day, it shall not be favourable; whosoever shall offer it shall be accounted nothing; it is a defilement, and whosoever shall eat it shall bear sin’ (Lev. 7:16-18).
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Thus, the Law disallows the consumption of the sacrifice after three days, making it clear that past sacrifices, too, are rejected, as stated: ‘If ye offer unto the Lord a sacrifice of thanksgiving, offer it in such a way that it shall gain you favour: the same day it shall be eaten, and ye shall not leave it until the morning. I am the Lord’ (Lev. 22:29-30). Palladius. What do these commandments signify? Cyril. As previously mentioned, the Divine Scriptures frequently divide time into two epochs: the era of the law and the time when Christ was revealed; at times, they extend this division into three, including the period when the holy prophets were prominent. While the manner of worship during both the time of Moses and the prophets remained in the realm of shadows, the arrival of morning, or the third period, introduced the light of Christ, which illuminated all creation, rendering the previous forms of worship undesirable. Sacrifices from yesterday or from three days prior became repugnant and were deemed abhorrent by God, leading to the defilement of those who offered them out of season. Do you not recognize that when Christ, through His teaching, enlightens the souls of the faithful, it becomes somewhat unnecessary to adhere strictly to the law? Palladius. I agree, since I recall the words of the Apostle Paul, who described it as a loss in comparison to the knowledge of Christ (Phil. 3:8). He also wrote, ‘I say unto you, If ye be circumcised, ye shall not profit by Christ’ (Gal. 5:2). Cyril. You have spoken rightly. When Christ has already come and the period of the law and the prophets has passed, to cling to outdated rituals and attempt to offer such sacrifices to God is indeed sin and impurity, as the Son clearly spoke to God the Father: ‘Sacrifice and offering Thou hast not desired; Thou hast opened my ears; burnt offering and sin offering Thou hast not required. Then I said, Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me, I desire to do Thy will’ (Ps. 39:7-9; cf. Heb. 10:5-7). By presenting Himself as the perfect sacrifice, the Son put an end to the practices of the law, which were incapable of truly “destroying sins” (Heb. 10:11); for ‘the end of the law and of the prophets is Christ’ (Rom. 10:4; cf. Matt. 5:17).