THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
God instructed that the four categories of signs be recognized, ensuring that the divisions of the regiments from the east and west, north and south, are organized accordingly. In this directive, I believe the four Gospels are symbolized, which guide humanity toward the understanding of doctrine and moral living. Furthermore, upon deeper contemplation, it could be suggested that valuing the acquisition of beneficial knowledge is indeed more important than mere slumber and triviality. In this manner, we can identify four distinct forms of preaching that enable all people to lead an exemplary and truly noble existence.
Read more (290 words)
The first type calls those who serve the creation rather than the Creator, inviting them to grasp the truth and receive Divine illumination (Rom. 1:25). They are likened to those ignorant voices that declare a tree as a father and a stone as a source of life, as noted by the prophet (Jer. 2:27). The other three types of preaching rightly address those who have already embraced faith. The Savior elucidated three ways of living when He referred to the seeds sown on fertile ground, which yielded varying amounts of fruit: “one a hundredfold, another sixtyfold, and another thirtyfold” (Matt. 13:8). Hence, there is a specific message tailored for each group.
It would be inappropriate for us to use the same message for both those who, through lawful marriage, balance their devotion between the divine and worldly concerns, and those who have chosen a higher path of asceticism or fulfill the duties of the priesthood. To the former, we communicate: “Are you married? Do not seek separation. Are you unmarried? Do not pursue marriage” (1 Cor. 7:27), and encourage whatever additional thoughts and actions are suitable for those who are wed. For ascetics and those who possess patience, we offer, “Put to death your earthly members: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire” (Col. 3:5), alongside the promise that “The present temporary sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18). To those called to the priestly office, we remind them, “The priest’s lips should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth” (Malachi 2:7), and also reference the teachings of the wise Paul in his letters to Timothy. Do the cited Scriptures stray from propriety or encourage unrighteousness? Absolutely not.