St. John ClimacusSt. John Climacus

The Ladder of Divine The Ladder of Divine AscentAscent

The feast day of Saint John The feast day of Saint John

Climacus is March 30, Climacus is March 30,

however, due to the popularity however, due to the popularity

of the Saint and the practice of of the Saint and the practice of

not having weekday Divine not having weekday Divine

Liturgies during Great Lent, Liturgies during Great Lent,

the Orthodox Church the Orthodox Church

commemorates the Saint on the commemorates the Saint on the

Fourth Sunday of Lent. Fourth Sunday of Lent.

Saint John Climacus is seen standing at the foot of the Saint John Climacus is seen standing at the foot of the

ladder. With his right hand he directs our attention ladder. With his right hand he directs our attention

towards the ladder, while in his left hand he holds a scroll towards the ladder, while in his left hand he holds a scroll

on which is written:  "Ascend, ascend, Brethren." on which is written:  "Ascend, ascend, Brethren."

The Ladder of Divine The Ladder of Divine Ascent, was written as a Ascent, was written as a guide to the monastic life,; guide to the monastic life,; it teaches how build a it teaches how build a foundation, fight the evils foundation, fight the evils which tempt us, and how which tempt us, and how to be a good person and to be a good person and live with love and humility. live with love and humility. It is considered to be so It is considered to be so important that it is important that it is universally read in its universally read in its entirety in monasteries entirety in monasteries during the Great Fast. during the Great Fast.