Song of Songs 2:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For behold, the winter is gone, the rain has ended, and flowers have appeared upon the earth: man’s nature has blossomed once again, as if being revived after being dried up by death due to Adam’s transgression and the dominion of sin that prevailed over all. Through one of the holy prophets, we hear Christ affirming, “I am the One who brings forth the new life that springtime yields in the mountains and forests, new growth crowning the plants, which corresponds to the coming of our Savior, akin to the second summer, rather than the first, in which the law and the prophets existed and where death reigned: ‘For death reigned from Adam to Moses’ (Rom. 5:14). Thus, as if in a second summer, following the first—a time under the law—the Church emerged from the Gentiles, with Christ dwelling within her, who is the fulfillment of the prophets and the law (cf. Rom. 10:4; Matt. 5:17). Do you not perceive how our discourse is directed toward clear and definitive understanding? Christ embodies the highest and sweetest voice of the turtle dove, exemplifying profound gentleness. Therefore, it is written in the Song of Songs: “The voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.” He presented Himself as the epitome of ultimate humility when He instructed us, “Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29).

The voice of the turtledove resonates in our land; the vines are blooming and releasing their fragrances, for He has delivered to us a message of divine and redemptive salvation.

With the arrival of our Savior, the demonic winter, which unleashed an avalanche of absurd passions, has been driven away; the forces of unclean spirits dispersed, and the sinister cloud of sin has been blown away, by the grace that has instated a light comparable to spring. The gifts of the Spirit, akin to a gentle breeze, surround the souls of all believers, gathering the nectar like from flower cups, yet doing no harm to them. In the same way that spring renews all things, the arrival of the Savior brings transformation. Behold, the bridegroom indicates to the bride the true “month of renewal.” God, like a skillful gardener in springtime, removes from us the barren and unfruitful thoughts with the coming of the Savior, allowing only pure thoughts to remain. Therefore, it is imperative for us, having received the grace of the Spirit, to be renewed toward a virtuous way of life, free from sin, and cleansed from corruptions of the flesh. Let us embrace moderation and offer to Christ, who sacrificed Himself for us, a life of moral integrity.

The winter preceding spring represented a period under Satan’s dominion, where everything was shrouded in darkness, and the thoughts of all were rendered lifeless by the frigid grip of evil. But now winter has receded, and darkness has fled; the Son of Righteousness—Christ—illuminates us with the brilliance of His light. Everything has blossomed and flourished through the message of the Gospel—the writings of the holy apostles. The flocks of believers, represented as sheep and lambs—those still growing in spiritual strength—are feeding on the abundant pasture. Like radiant lilies, these faithful followers bloom within the gardens of the Church, enriched by the glory of Christ. The Bridegroom in the Song of Songs (Christ) directs you toward this understanding—encouraging reflection on the Savior's works amidst the springtime, signifying the arrival of spring for His bride, the Church.

He instructs the raising of the Divine tent “in the month of the first” (Ex. 40:2), when, as if cleansing away winter’s gloom, the beauty of spring shines forth, and the earth is delicately warmed by the gentle and pure sunlight. The vineyards blossom, the farmer delights in the aromas of flowers, and the valleys are lush with greenery. According to one of the Hellenic poets, “the ears are all bristling with tops,” as it is written, “the winter has passed, and the rain has gone away,” marking the time for pruning the grapes. Understand all of this spiritually; the passing of winter and cessation of rain symbolize the end of diabolical oppression and cruelty over all humanity. For in the days of Christ, the power of demons waned, and the bright sun—the One whom God the Father refers to as “And the Sun of Righteousness shall rise with healing in His wings” (Malachi 4:2)—renews us, dispelling the chill of sin and warming us with the Spirit's heat toward righteousness. Contemplate also the mental fruit and the flowers of the spirit, as well as the saints, who are characterized by diverse piety and produce virtuous fruits. In summary, spring adorns all with blossoms and encourages the earth to flourish, crowns meadows with vibrant greenery, revitalizes trunks once parched by the harshness of winter, cloaks them in the usual verdant foliage, and generously grants the gifts of nature to the diligent farmer. A similar revival has occurred within us; once dry and devoid of the fruits of virtue due to the reign of sin, we now flourish in righteousness through Christ, with the new fruits of faith already being offered to the Giver of spirits. Thus, it is fitting for us to interpret the words of one of the holy prophets, as if speaking on behalf of Christ: “I myself am he who said, ‘Behold, I am like the springtime upon the mountains’” (Isaiah 52:6-7), for we have previously referenced what the season of spring accomplishes upon the mountains.

In the Song of Songs, Christ also addresses the bride, symbolizing the Church, with the invitation, “Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one, come away! Behold, the winter is past; the rain has withdrawn, the flowers appear on the earth; the time for singing has arrived” (Song 2:10). This tranquil springtime is meant for those who trust in Him.

The Rock is Christ. For to us who have faith, He serves as both a protector and a refuge, offering every kind of safeguard and strength.

He pointed to the Flower from the root of Jesse, the Lamb of God, who removes the sin of the world, inspiring repentance from wrongdoing and a life of virtue. For the Word proclaims, ‘the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land,’ which perhaps alludes to those condemned for their sinful existence, as illustrated by the Gospel's account of tax collectors and harlots. Through them, John's message was heard when others rejected the truth he preached."

The Bridegroom affirms the beauty of His Bride, calling her not merely good but ‘my goodness,’ indicating her beauty delights Him immensely. He also refers to her as a dove, symbolizing her perfection in virtue and the filling of the Holy Spirit. ‘Arise, come, my neighbor, my virtuous woman, my dove.’ Thus, He comforts and guides His Church amid trials, urging her to elevate herself to Him. He has bestowed upon her the wings of a dove, of which David spoke: ‘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). Here, the two Covenants are termed the limits, the dove represents the grace of the Holy Spirit, the silvered wings signify the Light of the Word, and the inter-doors in shining gold denote the revelation of profound mysteries. It is as if He says: If you find rest below the two Covenants, you will discover the varied gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thus, when the Bride, intent on spiritual persuasion, remains between these two Covenants, she comes upon silvered wings and ascends to her Bridegroom.

‘For behold, the winter is passing away, the rain is departing for itself (Song 2:11): Flowers are appearing on the earth; the time of circumcision has come; the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land (Song 2:12): The figs are wearing out their blossoms; the grapes are ripening and giving off fragrance (Song 2:13).’ The winter symbolizes the period before Christ’s coming, spring signifies the time following it, and summer represents the age to come. ‘The winter passeth away, the rain departeth’—the threats of the Law and sore penalties for sins have come to an end, “departeth unto itself,” for the shadow has yielded to the Substance, the pestilence to the Wise Teacher. ‘The blossoms appeared upon the earth.’ Notably, He did not mention fruit, but blossoms, since the full enjoyment of divine gifts awaits us in the age to come. While in this present life, we echo St. Paul who states, ‘We see now as through a glass darkly, but then face to face’ (1 Cor. 13:12). ‘The time of circumcision is at hand,’ translated by Simmachus and Aquila as the time of purification. For after the coming of Christ, all tongues (nations) were made clean. Therefore the Lord declares: ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman: every branch that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit’ (John 15:1-2). ‘The time of circumcision is here,’ and ‘the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.’ The turtledove's voice signifies the teaching of the Holy Spirit, His grace, which resembles the purity of this gentle bird known for its solitude and nesting in tree branches. ‘The voice of the turtledove is heard in our land; the fig tree is wearing out its blossom,’ referring to the soon-maturing fruit of faith from which other fruits of good works are cultivated, ripened, and made sweet.

‘The grapes of ripening give forth fragrance.’ The spiritual grapes are flourishing, exuding their sweet scent. Therefore, He beckons, ‘Arise, come, my neighbor, my good one, my dove, and come’ (Song 2:13). ‘Thou, O my dove, art in the cleft of the rock, in the secret places’ (Song 2:14). He refers to her as being sheltered under a rocky overhang, protecting her from being stained again. This rocky protection symbolizes genuine faith and true confession. ‘Thou, my dove, art under a rocky shielding, near to the foretaste.’ He desires her to avoid fixation on the present life, urging her to focus not on the observable but the unseen, for the visible is ephemeral, whereas the invisible endures eternally.

His wish is that she remain close to the pre-tribulation state, essentially saying: Cast off your earthly distractions, remain mindful of spiritual truths while in the body, do not let disturbances trouble you, and transcend the confines of the present domain. For if you are not near the foretaste, you cannot enjoy the unity with Me. If you do not join Paul in declaring, ‘For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh’ (2 Corinthians 10:3), and if you do not navigate the realms of the present and the future (which, I believe, is implied by the prefiguration), our union will not be fulfilled. Nevertheless, I beseech you to enter in, ‘Show me thy countenance; for thou hast a pure heart, unclouded by worldly concerns’ (Song of Songs 2:14). ‘And let me hear thy voice; for thy voice is sweet to me’ (Song of Songs 2:14). ‘And thy image shall be lovely; for then My beauty shall be reflected in you as in a mirror, and My words will flow from your lips.’ This is what the Bridegroom declared to the Bride, and instructed His ministers.

And now, as you observe, every plant produces seeds. Just as God established the sun and moon with the equinox, so a few days before this time, we also experienced the equinox. Then God said, Let us create man in our image, according to our likeness (Genesis 1:26). Man preserved what pertains to the image, but he tarnished what belongs to the likeness through disobedience. Hence, as he lost those gifts, restoration emerged. When mankind was expelled from paradise due to disobedience, simultaneously, the one who had faith was welcomed back for his obedience. Thus, salvation was achieved at the moment of the great fall; that is, when the blossoms emerged and a time of renewal arrived.