John Climacus is a famous Christian theologian. The dates of his life and death are not known for today. The first option is 525-595 or 605 years, and the second - 579-649 years. He was a Byzantine philosopher, hegumen of the monastery of St. Catherine (Sinai), which is still active. One of the spiritual works of the Ladder - “Ladder”, which in Old Slavonic means a ladder. John Climacus is revered by both the Orthodox and the Catholic Church.
Life of the Byzantine philosopher
Before proceeding to the “Ladder” of John Climacus, we give a brief biography of him. Place of birth - Constantinople, where he received a good education in his youth. At the age of 16, he moved to Egypt, to Mount Sinai, where he became a novice in the monastery. After 4 years, John tonsured monks. After Elder Mortira died, in whom he was obedient for 19 years, the saint became a hermit. He lived in the desert for 40 years.
When the elder was 65 years old, the brethren elected him abbot of the monastery in Sinai, and he ruled it for 4 years. According to some reports, he died at the age of 70. Nobody knows where his relics are.
Self Improvement Guide
The most famous work of this saint is The Ladder. This work was written in the middle of the VI century at the request of the hegumen of the Raifa monastery, John. This holy man suggested that the vision be revealed to Climacus on the same mountain as Moses, as a warning to the new Israelites.
At its core, “Ladder” is a guide to self-improvement. Her image goes back to the biblical description in the book of Genesis of the vision of Jacob's Ladder in a dream, with angels ascending and descending into heaven. Her top touched heaven, and the Lord stood on it.
Therefore, the book has such a name. It tells about the spiritual ladder, that is, about the path that leads from earth to heaven, to God, to Paradise. There is another version of the name - "Ladder of Paradise."
This work is also known under another name: “The Tablets are spiritual.” The work is related to ascetic spiritual literature. In addition, the book “To the Shepherd”, detailing the duties of spiritual shepherds, belongs to the pen of John Climacus.
Handbook of the monks
Dmitry Rostovsky (spiritual writer of the 16th-17th centuries, bishop, preacher) described John’s “Ladder” as follows. He said that the difference between this work is a deep spiritual experience. At the same time, it is combined with a wonderful knowledge of scripture.
Thoughts are stated though simple, but alive and pure language. In a few words, much is expressed, so the composition is full of strength. In connection with all these features, the book has always been a desktop for monks.
Structure
The composition contains thirty chapters, which are the "steps of virtue." These steps lead the Christian along the path of spiritual perfection. The number 30 is used as a symbol of the fullness of the Lord's age when he began to preach. Each chapter is dedicated to some Christian virtue.
The book speaks of how exactly the monks should advance along the path of spiritual perfection. They must follow a strict sequence, not trying to jump over the steps of the stairs, and move to its very top.
Briefly about the "steps"
In order to better understand that this is the “Ladder”, the “steps” described by the reverend elder can be divided into groups.
- 1 g The struggle of a Christian with worldly vanity, 1-4 steps. Renunciation of life in the world. Impartiality to everything around. Wandering. Obedience.
- 2 gr. Sorrows encountered on the way to real bliss, 5-7 steps. Repentance. The need to remember death. Sorry for my sins.
- 3 gr. The fight against human vices, stages 8-17. Meekness, abstinence from anger and foul language. Placability. Lack of laziness and despondency. Truthfulness. Silence.
- 4 gr. Overcoming obstacles during ascetic life. 18-26 steps. Showing zeal for common prayer. A small amount of sleep. Strengthening in faith and lack of fear. Body Vigil. Avoiding pride and vanity. Acquisition of meekness, non-malignancy, simplicity and humble wisdom. Strengthening virtues and taming passions.
- 5 gr. Soul world, 27-29 steps. The silence of the body and soul. Impartiality and prayer.
The top of the ladder is the 30th step, representing the union of the three basic virtues - faith, hope and love.
The importance of the order of chapters
The order in which the chapters are located is very important and indicative. This sequence once again confirms the steady thought that is found in many ascetic writings. It consists in the fact that the path to spiritual perfection always begins with fear of God and repentance.
As for love, for a person who is just starting a spiritual life, it is still imperfect. And so you should not trust her too much. True love for loved ones and for God comes only at the end of a complex, unprecedented ascetic path.