Saint John Climacus is also known as John of the Ladder. He was born in 525 in Palestine. Growing up in the Christian faith, John displayed an extraordinary ability to study. However, at the age of sixteen, he gave up all worldly pursuits and entered monastic life.
John began to live in a hut on the hillside of Mount Sinai. There he was zealously practicing the virtues. His humility, self-control, and silence were exemplary to all. An old monk here prophesied that John would one day shine as the lamp of the church.
After his superior, Martyrius’ death, John began a solitary life. Then onwards he studied and meditated on the biographies of the saints and their books. John maintained his sanctity of life through constant prayer and fasting. Many people who had heard of the saint’s wisdom and holiness of life, visited him for advice.
As John’s residence became public, he moved to another location for solitude and meditation. At the age of seventy-five, John was chosen as the greatest monk on Mount Sinai. It was here that John wrote his famous book, Climacus. This book is a summary of the laws that the saint practiced in his life. This book is the reason for the name of the saint.
Realizing that the status quo was leading his mind to anxious thoughts, the saint left the monastery and resumed his solitary life. On March 30, 605, John set out for his beloved.