Song of Songs 2:11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Behold, the winter is past, the rain has gone; it has ceased, the flowers have appeared on the earth." Humanity's nature has flourished anew as if revived from death due to Adam's transgression and the sin that held sway over us. Christ also speaks through the prophets, saying, "For what the springtime produces in the mountains and forests, crowning the plants with a new branch, so the coming of our Savior has achieved in us." This event aligns with the second summer, a period not characterized by the law and the countenance of the prophets, during which death ruled: "for death reigned from Adam even unto Moses" (Rom. 5:14). In this new season, the Church emerged from among the Gentiles, with Christ residing in her, embodying the fulfillment of the law and the prophets (cf. Rom. 10:4; Matt. 5:17). Is it not evident that our message conveys a choice that is both sincere and clear? Christ is indeed the most tender and harmonious turtle dove, as well as the gentlest of doves. Thus, it is recorded in the Song of Songs: "The voice of the turtledove is heard in the wilderness." He models perfect humility and utmost meekness when He instructs, "Learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29).

The voice of the turtledove resonates throughout our land; the vines are blossoming, exuding fragrance, for He has delivered to us a message of divine and gospel salvation.

With the arrival of the Savior, the forces of darkness (winter) that stirred up foolish passions, akin to relentless winter rains, were expelled. The powers of unclean spirits were scattered, and the oppressive cloud of sin was blown away, giving rise to the illuminating grace that resembles the light of spring. The gifts of the Spirit have been imparted to us like a gentle breeze, encompassing the souls of all, while gathering the sweet fragrance as from the blossoms, without diminishing them. Just as spring renews nature, so too does the coming of the Savior renew all creation. Observe the bridegroom revealing the true "month of newness." God, like a skilled vinedresser in spring, prunes the dry and unfruitful thoughts from us with the Savior’s presence, leaving only pure thoughts behind. Therefore, we must accept the grace of the Spirit into our lives, striving for a new and righteous way of living, liberated from sin and cleansed of bodily impurities. Let us embrace temperance and dedicate our lives in virtue to Christ who suffered for us.

Before the awakening of spring, winter represented Satan’s reign when all was shrouded in sorrow and darkness, and thoughts were paralyzed by the chill of sin. But winter has departed, and darkness has been dispelled; the Sun of righteousness, Christ, shines upon us with clarity and enlightenment. Everything has come to life, enriched by the Gospel message and the writings of the holy apostles. The flocks of spiritually naïve believers are nourished by these abundant pastures. Like joyous lilies, these faithful have blossomed within the gardens of the Church, radiating with the glory of Christ. The Bridegroom from the Song of Songs (i.e., Christ) directs you to this understanding, inviting you to reflect on the Savior’s deeds amid the springtime, signaling the season of renewal to His bride, the Church.

He commands the construction of the Divine tabernacle "in the month of the first" (Ex. 40:2), when the dreariness of winter is washed away, and the charm of the spring solstice shines. The earth warms under the gentle embrace of the sun’s purer rays; vineyards bloom, and farmers rejoice in the fragrant flowers. As one Greek poet noted, "the ears are all bristling with tops," when "winter has passed," as the scriptures affirm, "the rain has gone with it," marking "the time for pruning" (the grapes). However, all these should be understood spiritually: the expiration of winter and the end of rainfall symbolize the cessation of the diabolical tyranny and cruelty that once enveloped all. In the days of Christ, the power of demons ceased, and the bright sun of righteousness—the One of whom God the Father said, "And the Sun of Truth will shine to you" (Malachi 4:2)—warmed our hearts with righteousness amid sin. Contemplate also the grapes of the mind, and the flowers of the spirit, and consider the saints, who demonstrate abundant piety towards God, producing manifold virtues. In summary, spring adorns the earth with flowers, cultivating lush grass, crowning meadows with new growth, reviving trees that had withered under winter’s harshness, covering them with vibrant foliage and generously bestowing nature’s bounty upon the diligent farmer. A similar transformation has taken place within us. Once barren due to sin's dominion, we now flourish in righteousness through Christ, and the fresh fruit of faith, newly sprouted, is already presented to the Gardener of our souls. In this manner, we appropriately heed the words of the holy prophet, speaking on behalf of Christ: "I myself (the same) who said, 'Behold, I am like the time (of the blossoming year - spring) on the mountains'" (Is. 52:6-7), for the effects of spring on the mountains have been expressly noted.

In the Song of Songs, Christ calls to His bride, representing the Church, saying, "Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one, come forth! Behold, the winter is past; the rain has gone away, ceased; the flowers are shown on the earth; the time of singing has come" (Song 2:10). This springtime peace is granted to those who believe in Him.

The Rock is Christ. He becomes to those who believe a fortress, a refuge, and every form of protection. When the Church is established, it shall be strengthened in every possible way.

Within winter, the vibrancy of life fades, as the once adorned trees lose their leaves, blending with the earth, and the joyful melodies of birds fall silent. The nightingale takes flight, the swallow loses its voice, and the turtledove is estranged from its nest, all reflecting the somberness reminiscent of death. The progeny lies lifeless, the greenery withers, and just as bones are bared of flesh, so too do branches bereft of leaves become an unsightly reminder of the splendor they once possessed. Consider, too, the tumultuous events at sea during winter, where the waters surge from the depths, rising like hills and mountains, charging towards the land as if an adversary, trembling the earth with incessant waves akin to the thunderous noise of warfare.

Let us contemplate these winter trials in a symbolic sense. What do blossoming and withering in winter signify? What descends from heights and dissolves into the earth? What of the quietude of songbirds? What accounts for the sea’s roar? What do the rains and raindrops represent? How does the rain return “to itself”? In all these, the enigmatic image of winter suggests something lively and significant. Although our words may not precisely elucidate these matters, their meanings may resonate with the attentive listener.

For instance, humanity flourished initially in paradise, nourished by the waters of this source, adorned with the stem of immortality. Yet, the winter of disobedience dried up that root; the flower withered and decayed, leading to a loss of the beauty inherent in immortality. As love for God cooled due to escalating iniquities, the vitality of virtue withered, giving rise to various passions that ultimately bring ruin to the soul. Yet into this starkness came the One who awakened the spring within our souls, commanding the tempest that once agitated the sea. He spoke to the winds and waves, saying: “Be still, cease” (Mk. 4:39); and peace returned, with all things resuming their course and blossoming anew, as our nature regained its flowers.

The virtues we cultivate are the blooms of our existence, blossoming in their time and bearing fruit accordingly. Hence, the Word declares: “Winter has passed, the rain has departed, it is gone: blossoms have appeared on the earth, the time of renewal is at hand.”

The Bridegroom affirms the beauty of the Bride, not merely branding her as good but as "my goodness," indicating her beauty profoundly delights Him. He affectionately refers to her as a dove, due to her virtuous perfection and fullness of the Holy Spirit. "Arise, come, my beloved, my virtuous one, my dove." By offering such affirmation, He strengthens and comforts His Church amidst her challenges, urging her to elevate herself towards Him. He bestowed upon her the wings of a dove, as noted by David: “If ye sleep in the midst of the limits, the wings of the dove are silvered, and her inter-doors in the shining of gold" (Psalm 67:14). The two Covenants symbolize the limits, the dove represents the grace of the Holy Spirit, the silvered wings signify the Light of the Word, and the golden inter-doors convey the understanding of profound mysteries. In essence, He implies that resting within the confines of the two Covenants leads to a discovery of the diverse gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thus, when the Bride is drawn towards spiritual truths and finds rest between the two Covenants, she discovers her silver-plated wings, allowing her to soar towards the Bridegroom.

"Behold, the winter is passing away, the rain is departing, it is departing for itself": "Flowers are appearing on the earth, the time of circumcision has come, the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land: the figs are wearing out their blossoms, the grapes are ripening and giving off a fragrance" (Song 2:11-13). The “winter” represents the time before His manifestation, while “spring” signifies the period that follows and “summer” alludes to the age to come. “The winter passeth away, the rain departeth” — the threats of the Law and the severe consequences for sins are no more, as the shadow has been replaced by the reality, and the law by the wise Teacher. The blooming blossoms symbolize emerging hope; critically, He refers to them as blossoms rather than fruit, indicating that full enjoyment awaits us in the age to come. While we endure this present life, we echo the words of St. Paul: "For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face" (1 Corinthians 13:12).

"The time of circumcision is at hand," as Simmachus and Aquila interpreted — the time of purification. After Christ’s appearing, all nations were cleansed. He also proclaims: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman: every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit” (John 15:1-2). “The voice of the turtledove is heard in our land” signifies the teaching of the Holy Spirit, whose grace parallels the turtledove, known for its purity, affinity for solitude, and habit of nesting in trees. The call of the turtledove symbolizes the message of the Spirit; the fig tree’s blossoms represent the hastening of faith’s fruit, establishing, ripening, and perfecting the other works. The ripening grapes give forth their fragrance. Thus, "Arise, come, my beloved, my virtuous one, my dove" (Song 2:13-14).

He invites her to seek refuge under a rocky shelter, guarding her from corruption, where "Thou, my dove, art in the cleft of the rock, near the foretaste." This rocky shelter exemplifies genuine faith and true confession, positioning her proximity to the foretaste of His love. He desires that she focus not on the temporary visible but on the eternal invisible, advocating for a life of spiritual mindfulness, untroubled amidst challenges, transcending earthly confines. For without this closeness to the foretaste, she cannot savor the joy of oneness with Him. If she does not proclaim with Paul, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh" (2 Corinthians 10:3) — if she does not bridge the present with the future, the consummation of our union remains unfulfilled.

He implores: "Show me thy sight." Her pure heart remains untarnished by worldly distractions. "And make me hear thy voice; for thy voice is sweet to me" (Song 2:14). "And thy image shall be red," for He will be reflected in her as in a mirror, and her words will echo His. This is the essence of what the Bridegroom expresses to the Bride, conveying His desires and guiding her towards fulfillment.