The '''Icon of the Ladder of Divine Ascent''' is connected with the well-known spiritual classic book entitled ''[[The Ladder of Divine Ascent]]'' by [[Saint]] [[John Climacus]], of the seventh century. His memory is celebrated on [[March 30]] and on the Fourth Sunday of the [[Great Lent]], and the [[icon]] is usually [[veneration|venerated]] in churches on the same days.

In the icon, a ladder stands on the earth and reaches to [[Heaven]]. [[Monk]]s are seen trying to climb the ladder, and winged [[demons]] are seen pulling them off. Over the top of the ladder is [[Christ]], emerging from Heaven.

In the top left corner, opposite the monastery, are [[angels]] shown clothed in light-colored garments and having large, strong wings.

[[Image:John Climacus.jpg|left|75px|St. John Climacus]]

St. John describes thirty stages of spiritual development in his book. He likens the stages to thirty steps upward on a ladder. The steps lead to [[theosis]], the ultimate goal of the spiritual striver. The icon was inspired by this book.

Just as St. John's book, the icon stands as a witness to the violent effort needed for entrance into God's Kingdom. The spiritual struggle of Christian life is a real one, "not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of the present darkness the hosts of wickedness in heavenly places" ([[Ephesians]] 6:12).

====Ladder====