The Feast of St John Climacus

Date: 30 March 2012 06:42:44

Thank you all for the birthday wishes from my last post; I greatly appreciated them and I am blessed to know you all, those I've met and those I am yet to meet. And Surfing: enjoy the next 6 weeks, it's downhill once you hit 35. :) No, it is a great age to be. And I have been particularly blessed today, one day after my 35th year.

Kontakion (Tone 1):
You offered us your teachings as fruits of everlasting freshness,
To sweeten the hearts of those who receive them with attention.
O blessed and wise John, they are the rungs of a ladder,
Leading the souls of those who honour you from earth to Eternal glory in Heaven!

Today [March 30] is the feast day of my patron Saint, St John Climacus, Climacus meaning ladder, referring to his book The Ladder of Divine Ascent, according to Fr Thomas Hopko in his illuminating and encouraging podcast about The Ladder, probably the second-most-read book in the Orthodox world after the Bible; it is also read in monasteries each Great Lent. And my cries for help and assistance have not been unheeded: today particularly, and this week, has been a blessing.

Being brief, as church calls (and a post is coming on the two long services on Thursday and Friday of the fifth week of Great Lent...), I have 3 interviews next week and may have another one on the way. I will write some more about the wonderful way this has all turned out; and even if I am not successful in any of them, the grace and love of God towards me is so clear to me at this moment: while it should always be, as His Love is always poured out lavishly, I can be dull of mind and spirit at times. I am so thankful. And thankful to my friends and saints on earth, including all of you through the Wibsite and larger blogosphere, whom I am blessed to know and who have helped me immensely through your concern, care, advice and prayers; and your patience to read my ramblings written in a 'Why say it in 10 words if you can say it in 1,000?' style. :) Thank you.