THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
The sacrament of Christ was articulated by the ancients at the moment when the lamb was sacrificed, symbolizing the true sacrifice of Immanuel for the salvation of all. Likewise, the Apostle Paul affirms that "our Passover, Christ, was slain for us" (1 Cor. 5:7). Divine revelation instructs us to make this sacrifice in the second month and to observe the festival if any hindrances prevent us from fulfilling the divine mandate in the first month. Would you like us to present the words of this Divine revelation? The significance of this narrative is profound. I remind you that God spoke clearly to the holy mystic Moses: "Command the children of Israel to send out of the camp all lepers, and all that have leprosy, and all that are defiled by the dead" (Num. 5:2).
Read more (503 words)
We have discussed this sufficiently before. However, I wish to highlight what I find relevant. Scripture designates as unclean "for the souls of men" anyone who has become defiled by contact with the dead, as it was forbidden to touch a lifeless body, and ancient laws deemed those who mourned for family members guilty of uncleanness. Consequently, they were cast out of the camp. This prefigures that one who engages in the death of others, in moral conduct and lifestyle, will become spiritually polluted; for those described as dead in their way of life include those about whom Christ stated, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead" (Matthew 8:22). Those who join the company of the saints and who fellowship with those accustomed to the ways of the dead become defiled through their association with them. This is the underlying meaning of this law.
To grasp its true significance, particularly relevant to us as spiritual beings, we must look to the Jews, who became defiled by the crucifixion of Christ and were judged unclean for their resistance against Immanuel. As a result, they observe the sacrifice in the second month of the feast, attempting to fulfill the law of the Passover. Consequently, they forfeit their place in our sacred celebration. They were mistaken about when the Originator of all life laid down His life. Yet, by the grace of the One desiring "all ... to be saved" (1 Tim. 2:4), they may partake in Christ in due time, akin to the second month, and join the saints of the Gentiles at the appointed time. Observe that those who were first cleansed from idolatry in Egypt and slaughtered the lamb in the first month are the earliest to believe. Anointed by the blood of the Lord, they will not regard the slayer and will overcome corruption. In contrast, those who come in the second year or month and acknowledge their defilement also assert they have become unclean "for the souls of men," seeking a blessing but celebrating the feast later, after the first: For when "the full number of the Gentiles shall come in," it is stated, then "all Israel shall be saved" (Rom. 11:25-26). The prophet foretells, "After that the children of Israel shall turn back, and shall call upon the Lord their God, and upon David their king, and shall reverence the Lord and His goodness in the last days" (Hos. 3:5): for in the latter days, the remnant of Israel (Rom. 11:5) will call upon Christ, of the lineage of David according to the flesh. Furthermore, it is worth noting that a tradition has emerged in the churches, I believe stemming from this same law, that if the fourteenth day of the moon does not fall within the first month, the next closest month should be observed, allowing for the determination of a suitable day to ensure the celebration occurs at the proper time. This is how the matter is managed, in accordance with the instructions of the ancient law.