St John Climacus
Categories: orthodox-life, spiritual-writings
Date: 12 July 2008 07:29:45
A few weeks back, I posted about three "Eastern" Saints whose writings I particularly enjoyed.
The first I'll look at is St John Climacus [St John of the Ladder], my name and patron Saint in the Orthodox Church. His writings in The Ladder of Divine Ascent [the book by which he got his name, Climacus -- "of the Ladder"] first drew me to him: a bit strange perhaps, given it is a book for ascetics on avoiding vice and practising virtue, but I do find myself drawn to such strict and seemingly austere books -- I know I may be in a minority. That said, The Ladder of Divine Ascent is a book very widely read and known among Eastern Orthodox Christians, as it has been for a long time. Its reading is particularly noted during Great Lent, especially in monasteries. The writing down of his The Ladder of Divine Ascent was at the request of another St. John, the abbot of the Raithu Monastery, as St John Climacus was, during his lifetime, well-known for his wisdom, discernment and humility. He was initially hesitant, but he did eventually write his Ladder.
Not a great deal is known about St John, particularly his early years. He is believed to have been born around 579, and we do know that he entered St. Catherine's monastery around the age of 16. We also know that when he died, in 649, he was the monastery's abbot. The Orthodox Church celebrates his feast day on March 30, and the Fourth Sunday of Great Lent is also given to his commemoration.
What was it that appealed to me? One, his writing. The writings of those from the East is, to my mind, very different from works produced in the West. That is, of course, a generalisation, but I do see the differences. Several months back I did provide some quotes from The Ladder: the metaphorical language in particular, personifying virtues and vices, and the comparisons used to everyday objects and items, makes the words appear, to me, to come "alive". The icon labelled The Icon of the Ladder of Divine Ascent also speaks greatly to me: monks climbing the ladder, and winged demons are pulling them off while the angels and Saints pray for the monks in their journey. Over the top of the ladder is Christ, emerging from Heaven, to welcome the monks in.
The second appeal was its ascetic nature. Being a single man, and remaining faithful [in the small part I am] to the teaching of the Orthodox Church, I am required to be celibate. I say this not to judge anyone, for I pray I do not: this is how I view my life, and mine alone; however, if someone was [foolishly! :)] to ask for advice my own beliefs would necessarily come into the answer. While I am not sure the monastic life is for me, I am called to live a form of the monastic life [though I no doubt eat far more and pray far less; Lord, have mercy!] "in the world" -- and this is a struggle. A struggle I keenly feel at many times and places. Books such as The Ladder, and St Ignatius Brianchianinov's The Arena: An Offering to Contemporary Monasticism, remind me of what I am called to, as well as giving practical advice, and comfort of the love of God and His mercy for those many times I fall into any sin, as I journey through life, and try, bit by bit, to be conformed ever more-and-more to the image and likeness of God, participating in the Divine Nature [cf 2 Peter 1:4].
Through the prayers of St John Climacus, may the Lord help and bless us all in our Christian journey: whatever form it takes and whatever struggles we may have.