REV. FR. THEODORE DORRANCE
Saint Catherine Church
Greenwood Village, CO
Saint John Climacus is honored by our holy Church as a great ascetic and author of The Ladder of Divine Ascent. For nineteen years at Sinai, John progressed under obedience to his spiritual father until his elder’s death. He then became a solitary hermit, spending forty years laboring in prayer, fasting, and repentance. Reports of his holiness spread far and wide, and visitors from all walks of life came to him for guidance.
Knowing of the wisdom and spiritual gifts of Saint John, the abbot of Raithu asked him to compose a guide to the monastic life. Deeming himself unworthy of this task, only out of obedience did he fulfill the request. Inspired by Jacob’s ladder in the Old Testament (Gen. 28:12), he called his work The Ladder, for the book is “a fixed ladder leading from earthly things to the Holy of Holies.” The thirty steps of spiritual perfection correspond to the Lord’s age at the beginning of His ministry.
The fourth step, On Obedience, is both enlightening and timely. Within this fourth chapter, we find the story of Saint Acacius, who through obedience was sanctified and even taught his abusive elder from the grave. Many today think that obedience is giving up one’s will and losing one’s freedom. Christian obedience, however, is the proper exercise of our freedom, freely offered to God and to our neighbor. As St. John Climacus teaches us, this type of obedience—true obedience—is an act of love.
Let us honor John, the pride
of ascetics, angel on earth,
man of God in heaven,
adornment of the world
— Great Vespers of the Feast
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