THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
The sacrament of Christ was outlined by the ancients during the time of the lamb's offering, which served as a prefigure of Immanuel's true sacrifice for the salvation of all. Similarly, the Apostle Paul affirms that "our Passover, Christ, was sacrificed for us" (1 Cor. 5:7). Divine revelation instructs us to perform this sacrifice in the second month if we encounter any obstacles that prevent us from fulfilling the divine ordinance in the first. Would you care for us to present the teachings of this Divine revelation, along with what follows regarding its significance? This narrative possesses profound meaning.
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Recall that God clearly commanded Moses, the holy mystic, to instruct the children of Israel to expel all lepers and those who were ceremonially unclean due to contact with the dead (Num. 5:2). We have examined this matter sufficiently before; however, I will share what I believe to be beneficial.
Holy Scripture designates as unclean those who, due to mourning over the dead, have rendered themselves defiled, for it was unlawful even to touch a lifeless body. The ancient law placed the burden of uncleanness on those who grieved for their neighbors and family members, leading to their exclusion from the camp. This served to foreshadow that anyone who engages with the moral decay of another will become spiritually contaminated; for those who are spiritually dead, as Christ said, "Let the dead bury their own dead" (Matthew 8:22). The company of saints identifies the person who associates with those absorbed in the ways of the dead or desires to emulate them. This conveys the deeper significance of the law.
If we seek to grasp the true implications, particularly as spiritual individuals, we must consider the Jews, who were rendered defiled by their involvement in the murder of Christ and were labeled unclean due to their audacity against Immanuel. They became unclean "for the souls of men," and consequently, in the second month of the feast, they hold the sacrifice as a representation of Christ according to the Passover customs. Thus, they have forfeited their right to partake in our holy feast. They were late to recognize the moment at which the Author of Life surrendered His life. Yet by the grace of the One who desires "all ... to be saved" (1 Tim. 2:4), they may partake of Christ in the future, akin to the observance in the second month, and shall celebrate alongside the saints in their appointed time, that is, with the Gentile saints.
Observe that those who were cleansed in Egypt from the pollution of idolatry slaughter the lamb in the first month and are the first to embrace faith. Anointed with the blood of the Lord, they will not dwell on the slayer and shall conquer corruption; while those who arrive only in the second year and month, acknowledging their uncleanness, affirm they have indeed become unclean "for the souls of men," seeking blessings and celebrating the feast afterwards. For when "the full number of the Gentiles shall come in," it is stated that "all Israel shall be saved" (Rom. 11:25-26). The prophet also foretold, "Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God and David their king; they shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days" (Hos. 3:5), for in the end times, the remnant of Israel (Rom. 11:5) shall call upon Christ, who is of the lineage of David according to the flesh.
I think it is also important to mention that a practice has developed in the churches based on the same law, whereby if the fourteenth day of the moon does not fall in the first month, the next nearest month should be selected, and a specific day should be sought to ensure the timing of the feast remains appropriate. This reflects how matters were traditionally observed in accordance with the ancient law.
Even individuals who were distant or spiritually impure were permitted to observe the Passover in the second month. This reflects the image of the sacred Church, which appeared tainted by all manner of evil spirits. Yet, through the redemptive power of sincere confession, she is granted the opportunity for a second birth, akin to a new beginning in the second month.