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[[Image:Ladder_of_Divine_AscentLadder of Divine Ascent.jpg|right|frame|[[Ladder of Divine Ascent icon|Icon of the Ladder of Divine Ascent]] ([[St. Catherine's Monastery (Sinai)|St. Catherine's Monastery]], Sinai Peninsula, Egypt)[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Ladder_of_Divine_Ascent_Monastery_of_St_Catherine_Sinai_12th_century.jpg And here's a much bigger image of a similar icon] ]]'''''The Ladder of Divine Ascent''''' is an [[asceticism|ascetical]] treatise on avoiding vice and practicing virtue so that at the end, [[salvation]] can be obtained. Written by [[Saint]] [[John Climacus]] initially for [[monastic]]s, it has become one of the most highly influential and important works used by the Church as far as guiding the faithful to a God-centered life, second only to [[Holy Scripture]].
{{spirituality}}
There is also a related [[icon]] known by the same title. It depicts many people people climbing a ladder; at the top is [[Jesus Christ]], prepared to receive the climbers into [[Heaven]]. Also shown are [[angel]]s helping the climbers, and [[demon]]s attempting to shoot with arrows or drag down the climbers, no matter how high up the ladder they may be. Most versions of the icon show at least one person falling.
== History of ''The Ladder'' ==
John, whilst a [[hermit]] living at the Sinai Peninsula, was recognized for his humility, obedience, wisdom (which was attained through spiritual experience), and discernment. He already had a reputation for being extremely knowledgeable about how to practice a holy life. St. John, [[igumen]] of the Raithu Monastery, one day asked St. John Climacus (also known as John of Sinai) to write down his wisdom in a book. At first hesitant to take on such a task, John of Sinai eventually honored the request, and he proceeded to write ''The Ladder''. St. John Climacus received his name "Climacus" ("of the Ladder") because of this work, and his writing ''The Ladder'' (later called ''The Ladder of Divine Ascent'') has been compared to the Holy [[Prophet]] and God-seer [[Moses]] receiving the Law.
== Structure and purpose ==
The aim of the treatise is to be a guide for practicing a life completely and wholly devoted to God. The ladder metaphor—not dissimilar to the vision that the [[Patriarch]] Jacob received—is used to describe how one may ascend into heaven by first renouncing the world and finally ending up in heaven with God. There are thirty chapters; each covers a particular vice or virtue. They were originally called ''logoi,'' but in the present day, they are referred to as "steps." The sayings are not so much rules and regulations, as with the Law that St. Moses received at Sinai, but rather observations about what is being practiced. Metaphorical language is employed frequently to better illustrate the nature of virtue and vice. Overall, the treatise does follow a progression that transitions from start (renunciation of the world) to finish (a life lived in love).
#On unmanly and puerile cowardice
#On the many forms of vainglory
#On mad [[pride ]] and (in the same Step) on unclean blasphemous thoughts; concerning unmentionable blasphemous thoughts
#On meekness, simplicity, and guilelessness which come not from nature but from conscious effort, and about guile
#On the destroyer of the passions, most sublime humility, which is rooted in spiritual perception
==English language editions==
''The Ladder of Divine Ascent'', published by [http://www.thehtm.org/ Holy Transfiguration Monastery]. (ISBN 0943405033) This edition, based on [[Archimandrite]] [[Lazarus (Moore)|Lazarus Moore's ]] translation is generally preferred over the Paulist Press edition of the ''Ladder''—especially because of the verse numberings, which are the standard way of referencing Climacus' sayings (these are also present in older versions of Archimandrite Lazarus' translation). It is also physically beautiful and much nicer to have on one's bookshelf. It contains an icon of "The Ladder," many other embellishments, and is printed on high quality paper. All that said, the Paulist Press edition is also worth having, especially because of the helpful introduction by [[Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia|Bishop Kallistos]].
*Luibheid, Colm; Russell, Norman. ''John Climacus: The Ladder of Divine Ascent''. Paulist Press. [ISBN 0809123304]
== References ==
*''The Ladder of Divine Ascent'' as published by [http://www.thehtm.org/ Holy Transfiguration Monastery]
*Orthodox Church in America, biography on St. John of Sinai
*[http://www.monachos.net/content/patristics/klimakos_repentance.shtml studies-fathers/65-john-klimakos-on-repentance-that-leads-to-joy 'On Repentance that Leads to Joy: The Spirituality of St John Klimakos'], by [[M.C. Steenberg]], from the [http://www.monachos.net Monachos.net web site]
==Secondary literature==
*''Ascending the Heights - ''A Layman's Guide to The Ladder of Divine Ascent'' by Fr. John Mack ISBN 1-888212-17-9 ([http://www.svspress.com/product_info.php?products_id=2710 St Vladimir's Seminary Press])
[[Category:Asceticism]]
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