Which sacrifices do human beings offer?
Q261 · The Wondrous Creator, the Guardian of the World
St. Jacob of Sarug’s view is that God established Adam as a priest, offering Him sacrifices of thanksgiving and praise with unblemished hands and a pure soul. However, he lost this priestly character by defiling his nature. It is likely that he meant that priesthood which is attributed to the faithful in the general sense, to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, praise, alms-giving, and all the rites associated with individual and family worship. He says, “From the beginning, the Lord created Adam as a priest to serve Him.”511
506 See Behnam Sony, Man in the Teaching of St. Jacob of Sarug (1995): pp. 69–70.
507 See Behnam Sony, Man in the Teaching of St. Jacob of Sarug (1995): p. 53.
508 St. Augustine of Hippo, On the Holy Trinity 15.28.51 (NPNF I/3:227–228) amended.
509 St. Basil of Caesarea, On the Renunciation of the World (FOTC 9:31).
510 St. Jacob of Sarug, Letter 5.
511 St. Jacob of Sarug, Memre 5 On Aaron the Priest .