#climacus

[thesynaxarium]

Today, on the fourth Sunday of Lent we celebrate the Venerable John, Abbot of Sinai and author of the Ladder of Divine Ascent (or the Climacus). This indispensable book stands as a witness to the great effort needed for entrance into God’s Kingdom (Mt.10: 12). The spiritual struggle of the Christian life is a real one, “not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of the present darkness the hosts of wickedness in heavenly places” (Eph 6:12). Saint John encourages the faithful in their efforts for, according to the Lord, only “he who endures to the end will be saved” (Mt.24:13). The troparion of Saint John is chanted by St. Kassiani Antiochian Archdiocese Choir of Australia. May he intercede for us always + #saint #john #ladder #ladderofdivineascent #johnclimacus #climacus #book #lent #greatlent #kingdomofheaven #God #easter #pascha #journeytotheresurrection #resurrection #sinai #abbot #egypt #orthodox (at Sinai, Egypt) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqOiHccjGm9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[dramoor]

"Blessed is he who strives to please the Lord as others try to please men."

~St. John Climacus

(Image via Pinterest)

[orthodoxadventure]

[godlovesyousoiloveyou]

“An angel fell from Heaven without any other passion except pride, and so we may ask whether it is possible to ascend to Heaven by humility alone, without any other of the virtues.”

+ St. John of the Ladder

[orthodoxsoul]

"The devil is the better than most Christians.

Christians fast from food.

The devil never eats.

Christians keep vigil.

The devil never sleeps.

Christians read the scriptures.

The devil has memorized the scriptures.

Christians believe in God.

The devil has seen God.

But there is one thing that separates the devil from Christians, and that is Humility.

Humility is the only thing that no devil can imitate.”

— St. John of the Ladder

[d-i-x-i-t]

Humility is the only virtue that no devil can imitate. If pride made demons out of angels, there is no doubt that humility could make angels out of demons.

John Climacus

[rapid-apathy]

Humility is the only virtue that no devil can imitate. If pride made demons out of angels, there is no doubt that humility could make angels out of demons.

John Climacus

[cassianus]

A man should know that a devil's sickness is on him if he is seized by the urge in conversation to assert his opinion, however correct it may be. If he behaves this way while talking to his equals, then a rebuke from his seniors may heal him. But if he carries on in this way with those who are greater and wiser than he, his sickness cannot be cured by human means. He who is not submissive in his talk will certainly not be so in what he does. To be unfaithful in the small things is to be unfaithful in the great, and this is very hard to bring under control.

St. John Climacus

Ladder of Divine Ascent

On Obedience

[stjohncapistrano67]

[thesynaxarium]

Today we celebrate the Venerable John, Abbot of Sinai and author of the Ladder of Divine Ascent (or the Climacus). This indispensable book stands as a witness to the great effort needed for entrance into God’s Kingdom (Mt.10: 12). The spiritual struggle of the Christian life is a real one, “not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of the present darkness the hosts of wickedness in heavenly places” (Eph 6:12). Saint John encourages the faithful in their efforts for, according to the Lord, only “he who endures to the end will be saved” (Mt.24:13). May he intercede for us always + #saint #john #ladder #ladderofdivineascent #johnclimacus #climacus #book #lent #greatlent #kingdomofheaven #God #sinai #abbot #egypt #orthodox #saintoftheday (at Sinai, Egypt) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqYt1RJLW5A/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[dramoor]

"The punishment of one who is prideful is his own fall."

~St. John Climacus

(Icon: Thirteenth century icon of St. John Climacus, to either side are Saint George and Saint Blaise, Novgorod School)

[orthodoxadventure]

God does not insist or desire that we should mourn in agony of heart; rather, it is His wish that out of love for Him we should rejoice with laughter in our soul. Take away sin, and tears become superfluous; where there is no bruise, no ointment is required. Before the fall Adam shed no tears, and in the same way there will be no more tears after the resurrection from the dead, when sin has been destroyed. For pain, sorrow and lamentation will then have fled away.

-- Saint John Climacus

[godlovesyousoiloveyou]

"We should take heed with ourselves so as not to trick ourselves into thinking we are pursuing the straight and narrow path when in truth we are following the way which is wide and broad. The following will demonstrate the meaning of the narrow path: ... the cleansing drink of dishonour, insults, condemning, derision, the deprivation of one's will, long-suffering in annoyances, unquestioning endurance of insults, disregard of sneers, and the habit when ill-treated, of enduring it hardily. Or when slandered, of not being angry. When disgraced by another, not to be upset. When reviled to be humble. Blessed are those who follow the path we have spoken of, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."

+ St. John Climacus

[resultsofimagination]

Ladder of Divine Ascent - Unknown Artist (12th century)

[justana0kguy]

2023 NOVEMBER 30 Feast of Saint Andrew Thursday

"Let us eagerly run our course as men called by our God and King, lest, since our time is short, we be found in the day of our death without fruit and perish of hunger. Let us please the Lord as soldiers please their king; because we are required to give an exact account of our service after the campaign. Let us charge into the good fight with joy and love without being afraid of our enemies. Rejoice in the Lord always, all servants of His, detecting in this the first sign of the Master’s love for us, and a sign that He Himself has called us."

~ Saint John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 1, n° 15, 20, 22-23

[thepastisalreadywritten]

SAINT OF THE DAY (March 30)

St. John Climacus was born around the year 525 in Palestine.

As a youth, he excelled in his studies and was highly regarded by his peers for his knowledge.

At the age of 16, John decided to leave the world and retired to a hermitage near the base of Mount Sinai.

For the next four years, John spent his time in prayer, fasting, meditation, and discernment while preparing to take solemn vows to the religious life.

Through the direction of Martyrius, John curbed his vices and worked to perfect his virtues.

After professing his solemn vows, John began to spend more of his time studying scriptures and the early fathers of the Church.

He became very knowledgeable in these subjects, but his humility caused him to hide his talents and not presume to share them with others.

Near the end of his life, he was encouraged to share his knowledge with others and wrote "Climax," also known as "The Ladder of Paradise."

This work was a collection of sayings and examples to illustrate how to live the monastic life.

From this work, he received the name Climacus, a derivative from the Latin root for climax or ladder.

As John progressed in years and wisdom, many of the religious living on Mount Sinai began to seek his advice in spiritual matters.

He freely offered his advice and was highly regarded for his wisdom and holiness.

Around the year 600, the abbot of all the religious in the region of Mount Sinai died, and John was chosen to replace him.

John ruled until his death in 605 and always tried to lead through his own example.