Origen on the Christian Festival of Unleavened Bread in Alexandria Within a Generation of Secret Mark (Part 5)

This is another proof that the first addition to Secret Mark reflects the existence of a Christian Festival of Unleavened Bread at Alexandria in the late second century.

Or did you not know that your feast comes with bitter herbs? For when you feast, he said that you eat, unleavened bread on bitter herbs (Ex. 12.8). What the Word intends when he says it is necessary that the one feasting with God eat unleavened bread upon bitter herbs, one must consider. Since the Apostle discussed unleavened bread, it is not my interpretation. But it is required that what follows the interpretation be similar to the apostolic discussion. The Apostle discussed matters concerning unleavened bread when he said, Let us celebrate the festival not with the old leaven, the leaven of evil and malice, but unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

It is necessary to explain the meaning of bitter herbs in accordance with the unleavened bread being of sincerity and truth. Have sincerity and truth, and bitter herbs with be with you, and you will eat with bitter herbs the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Just as Paul also ate the bitter herbs, since he ate of the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. [Fourteenth Homily on Jeremiah 3]