Venerable John Climacus of Sinai, Author of The Ladder of Divine Ascent
Forms of name: John
St. John's origins are uncertain. He went to Sinai at age sixteen, and spent the next 19 years progressing in monasticism under the direction of Abba Martyrius. Upon Abba Martyrius' death, St. John left Sinai to live in solitude for the next 40 years, laboring in silence, fasting, prayer, and tears.
At the age of 75, St. John was chosen igumen of Sinai, which he governed for four years. It was during this period that - in obedience to the request of St. John, Igumen of the Raithu Monastery - he wrote The Ladder of Divine Ascent, a book of instruction addressed to monks wishing to attain spiritual perfection, though it is also of great profit to those still living in the world as well. It is from this work that he gets the name "Climacus", which means "Ladder" (hence, "John of the Ladder").
St. John reposed at about 80 years of age, sometime in the early-mid 7th century (one source says 603, another c. 650).
Commemorated:
Online Resources:
- Short bio (with icon) at OCA's Lives of the Saints
- Short bio at Eternal Word Television Network (Catholic)
- Troparion and kontakion at OCA's Lives of the Saints
Available at ArchangelsBooks.com:
- The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus, translated by Holy Transfiguration Monastery
- The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus, translation by Colm Luibheid and Norman Russell
- Icon of St. John of the Ladder
- Icon of St. John of the Ladder, with life scenes
- Icon of The Ladder of Divine Ascent