What are the characteristics of the bread that is offered as the Lamb?

St. Basil the Great comments on the slaughter of the Passover lamb, being a symbol of the eucharist (Ex. 12:1–14):

“The deacons who prepare the holy bread, are careful that none is broken, stale, burnt, or blemished, lest any of them would be unclean. For the lamb that was slaughtered at the time of the Hebrews in Egypt was a type of this mystery.

“It was said: ‘And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand’ (Ex. 12:11). These words are concerning the heart, for the heart should be bound by the senses’ focus on the mystery, holding the staff of faith in his hands and his feet are straightened by the sandals of peace.

1564 Monastery of the Syrians, St. Basil the Great: His Life, Asceticism, and Church Canons (Arabic) (St. Mary’s Monastery (Deir al-Sourian), 2003): p. 545.

1565 Monastery of the Syrians, St. Basil the Great: His Life, Asceticism, and Church Canons (Arabic) (St. Mary’s Monastery (Deir al-Sourian), 2003): p. 545.

1566 Monastery of the Syrians, St. Basil the Great: His Life, Asceticism, and Church Canons (Arabic) (St. Mary’s Monastery (Deir al-Sourian), 2003): p. 545.

“‘No stranger or uncircumcised can approach to eat of the Passover.’ This is the case of him who is not baptized, a stranger, or a catechumen who did not yet become a full member of the church, so he will not taste this great joy. It was said, ‘Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, before eating the lamb’ (Ex. 12:15–20). Woe to us, for this saying puts us to shame. It was commanded then to consume pure bread (1 Cor. 5:7–8) seven days before the slaughter of the lamb which is just an animal. This was a symbol of what shall be, so how severe would the punishment be for him who dares to receive the true Lamb — Christ — while bearing the evil leaven, namely, adultery, hatred, theft and desiring the greater portion of everything. He does so without regretting such actions before approaching the mystery.”¹⁵⁶⁷

St. Basil further compares the Passover Lamb with receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, the true Lamb:

• a. The Passover lamb should be without blemish; likewise, the Lamb being offered in the Divine Liturgy must be fresh, and not baked from the day before, or burnt.

• b. The Passover lamb is cooked on fire; likewise, the mystery offered must be prepared with spiritual fire.

• c. They eat it with belts on their waist, a staff in their hands, and sandals on their feet; likewise, the heart must be bound by the focus of the senses, with the staff of faith in his hand, and his feet walking in peace.

• d. No stranger or uncircumcised can partake of it; likewise, he who is not baptized cannot partake of communion, for he is still a catechumen.

• e. They must not eat leavened bread, but unleavened bread for seven days before eating the Passover lamb; likewise, no one can partake from the Body and Blood of Christ unless he removes from his heart the leaven of sin through repentance.