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).

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Saints of the Orthodox Church