Order of Carmelites

Memorial of St. John Climacus

Today, March 30, is the memorial of Saint John Climacus.

John was born in 579 in Syria. He was named “Climacus” because of his writings. “Climacus” means “ladder,” so his name refers to his works. Fired with a love of God, a young John decided he wanted to serve God all his life. At 16, he joined the monks of Mount Sinai Monastery. He served as abbot of the monastery. He would move to the desert and become a hermit later on.

He is known for writing “The Ladder of Divine Ascent,” an ascetical treatise on how to avoid vice and practice virtue so that salvation can be obtained.

The book was actually intended for monks, but it took on a life of its own and became one of the most highly influential and important works used by the Church in guiding the faithful to a God-centered life, second only to Holy Scripture.

The objective of “The Ladder of Divine Ascent” is to guide people in devoting their lives to God.  The ladder image, which reminds one of Jacob’s vision in the Old Testament, describes how one may climb into heaven by first renouncing the world and finally ending up in heaven with God.

John died of natural causes, around age 70, in 649.