The Ladder

of divine ascent

The Ladder (its original name is Klimax, greek for ladder), was written in 6th century by st. John, abbot of the Monastery of Mount Sinai, in response to a request by the abbot of the Monastery of Mount Raitho, Anastasius. It is comprised of 30 spiritual homilies,and one named "To the Shepherd".

This book is of special importance for Orthodox Monasticism. It is usually readed during the meal of monks in almost all orthodox monasteries, and almost every monk studies it again and again, every time learning new ways and methods to succeed in his war with the three enemies of a man's soul: the world, the flesh and Satan.

The Ladder is also important for every genuine Christian, who is interested in entering the Kingdom of Heaven. The ways monks and laymen should use to reach their goals aren't very different.

The 30 (+1) homilies (steps) of Ladder.

1. On renunciation of the world.
2. On detachment.
3. On exile or pilgrimage (gr.: "xeniteia")
4. On blessed and ever-memorable obedience.
5. On painstaking and true repentance which constitute the life of the holy convicts; and about the prison.
6. On rememberance of death.
7. On joy-making mourning.
8. On freedom from anger and on meekness.
9. On rememberance of wrongs.
10. On slander or calumny.
11. On talkativeness and silence.
12. On lying.
13. On despondency.
14. On that clamorous mistress, the stomach.
15. On Incooruptible purity and chastity, to which the corruptible attain by toil and sweat.
16. On love of money, or avarice.
17. On non-possessiveness that hastens one Heavenwards.
18. On insensibility, that is, deadening of the soul and the death of the mind before the death of the body.
19. On sleep, prayer, and psalmody with the brotherhood.
20. On bodily vigil, and how to use it to attain spiritual vigil, and how to practise it.
21. On unmanly and puerile cowardice.
22. On the many forms of vainglory.
23. On mad pride, and on unclean blasphemous thoughts.
24. On meekness, simplicity, and guilelessness which come not from nature but from concious effort, and about guile.
25. On the destroyer of the passions, most sublime humility, which is rooted in spiritual percption.
26. On discrnment of thoughts, passions and virtues.
27. On holy stillness of body and soul.
28. On holy and blessed prayer, the mother of virtues, and on the attitude of mind and body in prayer.
29. Concerning heaven on earth, or Godlike dispassion and perfection and the resurrection of the soul before the general resurrection.
30. Concerning the linking together of the supreme trinity among the virtues.

• To the Shepherd.

Return to St. John Climacus Monastery