THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Cyril. Therefore, Aaron, who had already been consecrated as a priest, begins to carry out what has been established. Let us now explore how this unfolds. The book of Leviticus states: ‘On the eighth day Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel, and said unto Aaron, Take for yourselves of the oxen a bullock for a sin-offering, and a ram for a burnt-offering, both without blemish, and present it before the face of the Lord; and say unto the children of Israel, Take the goat for a sin-offering, and a bullock and a lamb, both of one year old, without blemish, for a burnt offering, and an ox and a ram for a peace offering, to make an offering before the face of the Lord, and an offering of bread mingled with oil: for today the Lord will appear to you.
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And they brought the things which Moses had commanded before the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the congregation came and stood before the face of the Lord. And Moses said, This is what the Lord has commanded to be done, and the glory of the Lord will appear to you. And Moses said unto Aaron, Come to the altar, and make your sin offering and your burnt offering, and cleanse yourself and the people, and make an offering of the people, and cleanse them, as the Lord commanded’ (Lev. 9:1-7). By closely examining the Scriptures, you, Palladius, will clearly see the radiant mystery of Christ. Palladius. In what manner? Cyril. On the eighth day, Moses seems to transition away from his role as priest; Aaron takes up this responsibility. However, Moses does not remain silent even though Aaron has begun the priestly duties. The priesthood of Christ is rightly understood as occurring after the law, specifically on the eighth day, which signifies the resurrection and the dawn of a new era: for ‘in Christ, a new creation,’ as it is written (2 Cor. 5:17). When Christ manifested on the eighth day, the practices established by Moses came to an end; worship of God is no longer through symbols and shadows. Yet, the teaching of the law persists, for the law is spiritual to those who are spiritual, continually revealing the mystery of Christ. Moses foretold that on the eighth day, the glory of the Lord would be revealed; the law prefigured the time of our Savior's arrival.