Ladder of Divine Ascent (icon)

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The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Saint Catherine's Monastery

The Ladder of Divine Ascent is a late-12th-century Christian icon at Saint Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai.[1][2]

Description

The icon represents the theological teachings of John Climacus, also known as John of the Ladder, as represented in the ascetical treatise The Ladder of Divine Ascent, written c. AD 600. The treatise has been influential in Eastern Christianity.[3][4]

The icon depicts monks ascending the ladder towards

ascetic life.[1]

The ascent of the monks is assisted by the prayers of

Eastern Orthodox spirituality.[2] The icon also shows a gaping maw, representing the Devil himself who is devouring a monk who has fallen from the ladder.[5]

The ladder shows some monks who have almost reached the summit as being tempted by demons and falling.[6] The depiction of the monks falling off is a reflection of what John Climacus expressed as "what never ceased to amaze him" namely why some monks still gave in to worldly passions when God, the angels and the saints were encouraging them towards virtue.[5]

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 0-88141-201-5 pages 83-84[1]
  2. ^
    ISBN 0-19-285439-9
    page 136
  3. ISBN 0-9689873-6-2 page 20 [2]
  4. ISBN 0-88489-850-4 page 73 [3]
  5. ^
    ISBN 0-8028-1764-5
    page 89
  6. ISBN 0-88141-253-8
    page 20

Further reading
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