THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
The sacrament of Christ was instituted by ancient traditions when the lamb was offered, representing the true sacrifice of Immanuel for the salvation of all. In a similar vein, the apostle Paul reminds us that "our Passover, Christ, was sacrificed for us" (1 Cor. 5:7). Divine revelation also instructs us that if we encounter any obstacles preventing us from observing this sacrifice in the first month, we may perform it in the second month, maintaining the observance of the feast. Would you like us to share the words from this Divine revelation and elaborate on its significance?
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The implications of this account are profound. I would like to recall God’s clear command to Moses, the holy mystic: "Command the children of Israel to cast out of the camp all lepers, and all who have leprosy, and all who are defiled by the dead" (Num. 5:2). We have previously discussed this topic at length, but allow me to contribute what I see as pertinent at this moment. Holy Scripture designates someone unclean "for the souls of men" if they have defiled themselves through contact with the deceased, as it was forbidden to touch a lifeless body. The ancient law condemned those who mourned for neighbors and relatives, leading to their exclusion from the camp. This foreshadows that anyone who partakes in the moral decay of another will be spiritually tainted. Christ taught us to "Leave the dead to bury their own dead" (Matt. 8:22), referencing those who, living in sin, are akin to the dead.
This law conveys a deeper truth. To grasp its true meaning relevant to us as spiritual beings, we need to reflect on the Jews, who were tainted by their role in the crucifixion of Christ and condemned due to their transgression against Immanuel. Their uncleanness renders them unable "for the souls of men," and thus, during the second month of the feast, they continue to observe the sacrificial practices symbolically aligned with Christ, yet they miss out on the true celebration of our holy feast.
They misjudged the moment when the Author of life surrendered; however, through God's grace, who desires "all ... to be saved" (1 Tim. 2:4), they may partake of Christ’s blessings in later times—symbolically in the second month—with the saints who are called at the appropriate time, including the Gentiles. Notably, those who were purified from idolatrous impurities in Egypt and offered the lamb in the first month stand first in faith. Immersed in the Lord's blood, they will not dwell on the slayer but will overcome corruption. In contrast, those joining in during the second month, acknowledging their uncleanness, will affirm that they too are "for the souls of men" and seek blessings while celebrating the feast later in the timeframe. It is said that when "the full number of the Gentiles comes in," then "all Israel shall be saved" (Rom. 11:25-26).
The prophet also foretold, "After that the children of Israel shall return and call upon the Lord their God, and upon David their king, and shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days" (Hos. 3:5); for in these final times, the remnant of Israel (Rom. 11:5) shall invoke Christ, of David's lineage according to the flesh.
In addition, it is worth noting a custom that has arisen in the churches, believed to stem from the same law: should the fourteenth day of the moon not occur in the first month, the nearest second month shall be chosen, ensuring that the time for the feast remains aligned with its proper timing. This is how matters are conducted, as guided by the ancient law.