Isaiah 62:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The prophecies presented to us herald a significant renewal and extraordinary transformation, for the ancient synagogue, seemingly aged and wearied by time, is compared to a young maiden. He declares, 'Your sons shall also be nurtured by a young woman.' This notion is echoed in the Psalms, ‘Your youth will be renewed like the eagle’s (Psalms 102:5),’ as they will care for her like a nurse, comforting her like a mother, steering her away from that which is trivial and guiding her towards the pursuit of truth. Similar sentiments were expressed by the divine David, ‘Instead of your fathers, your sons shall rise up to you (Psalm 44:17); for her earthly sons have taken on the role of her fathers, becoming the progenitors of her new children, drawn from faith and called to the knowledge of Christ, our Savior. Reflecting on this reality, it is proclaimed: ‘For as a bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you;’ for the only begotten Word of God descended from heaven to enrich the Church, presented as a pure virgin, free from any stain or imperfection, holy and blameless (Eph. 5:27). Therefore, having received from Him the seeds of the Gospel life, she has borne not a ministry tied to blood and fire of sacrifices but a ministry adorned with the beauty of truth. It is indeed a joy to witness the parallels between the law and the truth of the Gospel, and a bride shining with spiritual offerings and truly righteous deeds.

Thus, given the fleeting nature of time, husbands should relate to their wives as if they were not married; how much more sacred is the union between the bridegroom and the bride? It is this bridegroom of whom the eighteenth Psalm proclaims, And he is like a bridegroom coming forth from his chamber (Psalms 18:6), and that bride often described in the Song of Songs, who is flawless and pure (Songs 4). The Apostle desires to present her to one husband as a chaste virgin, dedicated in both body and spirit. Furthermore, Psalm 44 refers to her as the beloved: The queen stands at your right hand, dressed in gold (Psalm 44:10). Therefore, just as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, and the young man with the virgin in their holy union, so shall the Lord take joy in the one whose names will remain forever.

Some interpret the crown of Christ as those who have thrived through Him; the diadem of His realm (Is 62:3) comprises those who have become martyrs for Him. The Father, having chosen them by His hand, has bestowed upon the Son this crowning glory— those rescued through Him. For their benefit, she, taking on a new identity, will no longer be deemed forsaken and desolate, but My will (Is 62:4, LXX), meaning in accordance with My purpose. Hence, it is evident that she, once forlorn, will be rendered desirable in place of those who rejected Christ; yet, because a remnant was saved, they were unified with Him. By will, He refers to those who follow His commandments, regarding whom He expresses His love as that of a young man devoted to a virgin (Is 62:5). He preserves her in her purity, reflecting the mystery Paul discusses concerning Christ and the Church (Eph 5:32). This illustrates the current condition of the Churches, as they are overseen tirelessly by the priests who guide the people who are unaware of God, a role serving as an impenetrable barrier (Is 62:6) against the corruption of the enemy.

Christ achieved His glory through profound humiliation and death, and from His grave, the brilliance of resurrection illuminated the way. In a similar manner, the Church of Christ did not receive its glory until it faced various trials and tribulations for the sake of Christ. Though her adversaries aimed to extinguish her, delivering a crushing blow, she emerged victorious, just as Christ conquered the schemes of His foes, rising triumphantly from the tomb that had held Him. Thus, the Church intertwines her joy in Christ's resurrection with her own glorification, embodying both in the words of the prophet: ‘Let my soul rejoice in the Lord’ (Isaiah 61:10). This same parimia is also recited on the feast days of the Equal Apostles Constantine and Helen (May 21) and the Holy Prince Alexander Nevsky (August 30), emphasizing the reverence that rulers hold for the Church, as described in the parimia (Is. 62:2).