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He came to the monastery and became a novice when he was about 16 years old, and when he died in 649 he was the monastery's [[abbot]]. He wrote a number of instructive books, the most famous of which is [[The Ladder of Divine Ascent]]. (It is because of this book that John is known as "Climacus," which means "of the ladder".) It describes how to raise one's soul to God, as if on a ladder. This book is one of the most widely read among Eastern Orthodox Christians, especially during the season of [[Great Lent]] which immediately precedes [[Pascha]] (Easter), and on the [[Sunday of St. John Climacus|fourth Sunday of Great Lent]] he is especially commemorated.

==Quote==

"Nothing equals or excels God's mercies. Therefore, he who despairs is committing suicide. A sign of true repentance is the acknowledgment that we deserve all the afflictions, visible and invisible, that come upon us, and ever greater ones. Moses, after seeing God in the bush, returned again to Egypt, that is, to darkness and to the brick-making of Pharaoh, who was symbolical of the spiritual Pharaoh. But he went back again to the bush, and not only to the bush, but also up the mountain. Whoever has known divine vision will never despair of himself. Job became a beggar, but he became twice as rich again."

"But Adam did not wish to say, "I sinned," but said rather the contrary of this and placed the blame for the transgression upon God Who created everything "very good," saying to Him, "The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree and I ate." And after him she also placed the blame upon the serpent, and they did not wish at all to repent and, falling down before the Lord God, beg forgiveness of Him. For this, God banished them from Paradise, as from a royal palace, to live in this world as exiles. At that time also He decreed that a flaming sword should be turned and should guard the entrance into Paradise. And God did not curse Paradise, since it was the image of the future unending life of the eternal Kingdom of Heaven. If it were not for this reason, it would have been fitting to curse it most of all, since within it was performed the transgression of Adam. But God did not do this, but cursed only the whole rest of the earth, which also was corrupt and brought forth everything by itself; and this was in order that Adam might not have any longer a life free from exhausting labors and sweat..."

:By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile

:O our holy Father John Climacus, pray to Christ our God to save our souls.

:You offered us your teachings as fruits of everlasting freshness,

*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/l/pds07.htm Icon of the Ladder of Divine Ascent]

[[Category:Saints]]

[[ar:يوحنا السلمي]]

[[en:John Climacus]]

[[ro:Ioan Scărarul]]