John Climacus
paterissa (crozier), sometimes holding a copy of his Ladder |
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Overview |
John Climacus (
History
There is almost no information about John's life. There is in existence an ancient
In the meantime, the above tradition has been proven to be historically implausible.[3] The artful rhetorical figures in his writings, as well as philosophical forms of thought indicate a solid academic education, as was customary for a profession in administration and law during his epoch. Such training could not have been acquired in Sinai.[4]
Furthermore, biographical observations indicate that he probably lived by the sea, probably in Gaza, and apparently practiced Law there. It was only after his wife's death, in his early forties, that he entered the Sinai Monastery. These findings also explain the horizon and the literary quality of his writings, which have a clear philosophical background. The legend of his renunciation of the world at the age of 16, found also in other biographies of saints, is to suggest his having been untouched by secular education. Blurred deliberately would have been any roots in theological and philosophical educational traditions.
When he was about sixty-five years of age, the monks of Sinai persuaded him to become their
Of John's literary output we know only the Κλῖμαξ (
The Ladder describes how to raise one's soul and body to God through the acquisition of ascetic virtues. Climacus uses the analogy of Jacob's Ladder as the framework for his spiritual teaching. Each chapter is referred to as a "step", and deals with a separate spiritual subject. There are thirty Steps of the ladder, which correspond to the age of Jesus at his baptism and the beginning of his earthly ministry. Within the general framework of a 'ladder', Climacus' book falls into three sections. The first seven Steps concern general virtues necessary for the ascetic life, while the next nineteen (Steps 8–26) give instruction on overcoming vices and building their corresponding virtues. The final four Steps concern the higher virtues toward which the ascetic life aims. The final rung of the ladder—beyond prayer (προσευχή), stillness (ἡσυχία), and even dispassion (ἀπάθεια)—is love (ἀγάπη).
Originally written simply for the monks of a neighbouring monastery, the Ladder swiftly became one of the most widely read and much-beloved books of
An icon known by the same title, Ladder of Divine Ascent, depicts a ladder extending from earth to heaven.[8] Several monks are depicted climbing a ladder; at the top is Jesus, prepared to receive them into Heaven. Also shown are angels helping the climbers, and demons attempting to drag down the climbers or shoot them with arrows, no matter how high up the ladder they may be. Most versions of the icon show at least one person falling. Often, in the lower right corner John Climacus himself is shown, gesturing towards the ladder, with rows of monks behind him.
Saint John's
Several translations into English have been made, including one by Holy Transfiguration Monastery (Boston, 1978). This volume contains the Life of St. John by Daniel, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, and To the Pastor, and provides footnotes explaining many of the concepts and terminology used from an Orthodox perspective, as well as a General Index.[9]
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John Climacus is shown at the top of the Ladder of Divine Ascent icon, with other monks following him, 12th-century icon (Saint Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai, Egypt)
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St. John of the Ladder (Climacus): illustration from a Klimax manuscript (early 12th century)
See also
- Søren Kierkegaard, who published several works under the pseudonym "Johannes Climacus" and two under the pseudonym "Anti-Climacus"
- Saint John Climacus, patron saint archive
- The Uncondemning Monk; also commemorated 30 March
References
- S2CID 170616546
- ^ "Clugnet, Léon. "St. John Climacus." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 8. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 26 March 2015".
- ^ Johnsén,Henrik Rydell: Reading John Climacus: Rhetorical Argumentation, Literary Convention and the Tradition of Monastic Formation. Lund University Press, Lund 2007.
- ^ Duffy, John: Reading John Climacus: Rhetorical Argumentation, Literary Convention and the Tradition of Monastic Formation (review). In: Journal of Early Christian Studies. vol 18, no.1, 2010, pp. 145–146, doi:10.1353/earl.0.0303.
- ^ An abbot is the head of a monastery; the term is usually used in a Christian situation, but is used sometimes in a Buddhist context.
- S2CID 170969273
- S2CID 170261691
- ^ cf. Genesis 28:12
- ISBN 978-0-943405-03-2, retrieved 13 March 2013
Relevant Literature
- Popova, Tatiana. "The Naming of Food and Drink in the Ladder of John Climacus." Studia Ceranea. Journal of the Waldemar Ceran Research Centre for the History and Culture of the Mediterranean Area and South-East Europe 11 (2021): 371-386.
External links
- Media related to John Climacus at Wikimedia Commons
- Quotations related to John Climacus at Wikiquote
- Greek Wikisource has original text related to this article: Ἰωάννης τῆς Κλίμακος
- St John Climacus and the Ladder of Divine Ascent Sermon
- John Climacus: The Ladder of Divine Ascent by Colm Luibheid, John Henebry (Google Books)
- Excerpts from John Climacus
- St John Climacus (of the Ladder) Orthodox synaxarionfor Fourth Sunday of Great Lent
- Venerable John Climacus of Sinai, Author of "the Ladder" March 30 feast
- Pope Benedict XVI General Audience of Febr. 11, 2009 on John Climacus