The ages of the vow as stages of the soul

Cyril: …zeal, as it were, rush toward it, and with a vigorous understanding, a wakeful mind and the strongest drive, they press on to accomplish whatever must be fulfilled, and to be able to carry out what is pleasing to him. According to what the history suggests, these would be the people from twenty years old up to sixty (Leviticus 27:3). For up to the sixtieth year the body stays strong and at its most vigorous in its movements. By then the mind, too, is settled and in a way strong, and it is very well suited to take in whatever it chooses to learn. And he who knows our frame, as it is written (Psalm 103:14), surely knew that there is such an age in souls also. For the passage, no doubt, moves, by likenesses drawn from bodily things, to the things perceived by the mind. So, whether one is male or female, let those who are still in the prime of that inward age bring what has been appointed. That is, let the male bring, in the form, as it were, of fifty didrachms, the fruit of spiritual worship, sound and as perfect as can be; for by way of seven times seven it is plainly seen to reach the highest goal and to be attested as perfect. The female, again, brings it in the form, as it were, of thirty didrachms (Leviticus 27:4). For she is held in less esteem than the male, yet she still brings, in keeping with her own nature, a fruit marked by perfection and toil, as the three tens suggest. The one from five years old up to twenty, if male, pays twenty didrachms; if female, ten (Leviticus 27:5). For from the age of five, I think, and barely then, the mind begins in a way to open its eyes, as it were, to understanding. That understanding is still childish and weak, but it is moving toward the better, and the body is growing ever stronger. Or do you not understand what I mean?

Palladius: Yes, very well.

Cyril: So the fruit from each person is measured in proportion to spiritual strength. Everywhere the female comes after the male, and often at half. For the inspired Paul has plainly testified that the vessel is weak (1 Peter 3:7). She falls short of the natural ability of men, and she keeps silent in the churches (1 Corinthians 14:34). For she has not been entrusted with the word, and she is by no means as strong for achieving virtue as the male is seen to be. From one month old, it says, up to five years, the male gives five didrachms, and the female, for her part, three (Leviticus 27:6). And yet what fruit could come from infants? So in a way the passage hints to us at the newborn child in Christ, those for whom, as the holy Paul said, milk is the fitting food (1 Corinthians 3:1–2). For the fruit of those who have only just been called through faith and are still infants is small. Knowing this, the inspired disciples, writing to those from the Gentiles, even though Christ had given a very great body of Gospel commandments, told them that they must keep themselves from fornication, from what is strangled and from blood; and they said that those who did these things would do well (Acts 15:28–29). For a mind that is still tender and childish must not be weighed down with very heavy burdens. The law added that from those sixty years old and over, fifteen didrachms must be required for a male and ten for a female (Leviticus 27:7). For what has already declined into feebleness and weakness…