Life
- https://orthodoxwiki.org/John_Climacus
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Climacus
- The Ladder of Divine Ascent. St. John Climacus – Orthodox Talks
- Lives of Saints (oca.org)
Teachings
- Why do we need The Ladder?
- The Ladder of Divine Ascent and Moral Improvement
- The Spiritual Ladder is not just for Monks – Holy Hieromartyr Seraphim (Chichagov)
A word of caution when reading The Ladder of Divine Ascent:
“Like with other ascetical and spiritual texts, this one [The Ladder of Divine Ascent] should be read carefully. Since the original audience was those practicing the monastic life, the language is very strong when contrasting the life of the world and the life devoted to God. This is one of the reasons why this work should be read under the guidance of a spiritual father. This work can be read at once with careful attention and intense concentration, trying to replicate as much as possible the monastic life. Yet it can also be read in its individual steps as well. The bottom line is that a spiritual father should be there as a guiding hand with this work.”
– Orthodoxwiki.com
The Ladder of Divine Ascent
Break with the World
Step 1 – Renunciation
Step 2 – Detachment
Step 3 – Exile
Fundamental Virtues
Step 4 – Obedience
Step 5 – Repentance
Step 6 – Remembrance of Death
Step 7 – Joy-making Mourning
Step 8 – Meekness / Freedom from Anger
The Spiritual Passions
Step 9 – Remembrance of Wrongs / Malice
Step 10 – Slander
Step 11 – Talkativeness and Silence
Step 12 – Falsehood / Lying
Step 13 – Despondency / Tedium
The Physical Passions
Step 14 – Gluttony – “that clamorous mistress, the stomach”
Step 15 – Lust and Chastity
Step 16 – Avarice / Love of Money
Step 17 – Poverty / Non-possessiveness
The Spiritual Passions (continued)
Step 18 – Insensibility / Lack of Awareness
Step 19 – Sleep, Prayer, and Church
Step 20 – Alertness / Bodily Vigil
Step 21 – Fear / Cowardice
Step 22 – Vainglory
Step 23 – Pride & Unclean Blasphemous Thoughts
The Higher Virtues
Step 24 – Meekness / Simplicity
Step 25 – Humility – “the Destroyer of the Passions”
Step 26 – Discernment
Union with God
Step 27 – Stillness
Step 28 – Prayer – “the Mother of Virtues”
Step 29 – Dispassion
Step 30 – Faith, Hope, and Love
Arrangement into sections by Thirty Steps to Heaven: The Ladder of Divine Ascent for All Walks of Life (Papavassiliou)
Writings
- Ladder of Divine Ascent (hardcover)
- Ladder of Divine Ascent (softcover)
- Thirty Steps to Heaven: The Ladder of Divine Ascent for All Walks of Life
Troparion — Tone 8
By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile
And by your longing for God you brought forth fruits in abundance.
By the radiance of miracles you illuminated the whole universe.
O our holy Father John Climacus, pray to Christ our God to save our souls.
Kontakion — Tone 1
You offered us your teachings as fruits of everlasting freshness,
To sweeten the hearts of those who receive them with attention.
O blessed and wise John, they are the rungs of a ladder,
Leading the souls of those who honor you from earth to Eternal glory in Heaven!
Feast Day(s)
March 30
Fourth week of Great Lent
icon sources:
Orthodoxy of the Heart 