St. John Climacus

The Icon

Feast Day - March 30th

Saint John Climacus is honored by Holy Church as a great ascetic and author of the renowned spiritual book called THE LADDER, from which he is also called "of the Ladder" (Climacus). He is portrayed in the Icon with his monastic robes an unrolled scroll in his hands. The scroll tells, in Greek, that he is the Author of the Ladder of Divine Ascent. His white beard and wrinkled face expresses the riggers of his ascetical life as a monk.

Troparion in tone 8

By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile
And by your longing for God you brought forth fruits in abundance.
By the radiance of miracles you illuminated the whole universe.
O our holy Father John Climacus, pray to Christ our God to save our souls.

Kontakion in 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 honor you from earth to Eternal glory in Heaven!

To view the Life of St. John Climacus, please click here