There is, however, a passage which throws some
light on Cyril’s conception of the change in Myst. iv.
§ 3: “In the figure of Bread is given to thee His
Body, and in the figure of Wine His Blood, that thou by partaking of
the Body and Blood of Christ mightest be made of the same body and the
same blood with Him. For thus we come to bear Christ in us, His
Body and His Blood being distributed to our members
(εἰς τὰ
ἡμέτερα
ἀναδιδομένου
μέλη).” Several good MSS read
ἀναδεδεγμένοι,
which would give the meaning, “having received of His Body and of
His blood into our members.” This does not alter the
general sense of the passage; but the reading ἀναδιδομένου
is supported by another passage, Myst. v. § 15:
“Our common bread is not substantial (ἐπιούσιος):
but this Holy Bread is substantial, that is, appointed for the
substance of the soul. This Bread goeth not into the
belly and is not cast out into the draught, but is distributed
(ἀναδίδοται)
into thy whole system for the benefit of body and soul.”