John Climacus

Today is Tuesday of Holy Week….if it was not, it would be:

Saint John Climacus

Also known as
John of the Ladder
John Scholasticus
John the Sinaita

memorial
30 March

Profile

Our Saint for today was a monk on Mount Sinai at age 16. Virtually nothing is known about his life other than he was a Hermit in various places in the Arabian Desert. We’re not sure the year he was born, we know it was somewhere between 505-and 579…which really narrows in down.

We do know he was a prolific writer; his topic was the ascetic life. We know about him because his writings are still with us. They are readily available and have influenced those seeking the holy life for 15 centuries.

His basis for spirituality is a ladder, hence his name, like Jacob’s ladder in the Old Testament. Each step was a discipline that brought one closer to God. There were a total of 30 steps on this ladder; the age Jesus was when he began his ministry. Traditionally there are 33 buttons on a cassock; the age of Jesus at his crucifixion. He is depicted as an abbot carrying a ladder; we are not sure if he was an abbot or if he ever owned a real ladder. The Little Giant is quite safe if you are in need of ladders…they are a bit pricey though.

Born
between 505 and 579 in Syria

Died
between 605 and 649 on Mount Sinai of natural causes