St. John Climacus

Writer on asceticism and the spiritual life

Summary

Born
AD 500
Died
January 1, AD 649
Related topics
Apophthegmata Patrum, Christian life--Orthodox Eastern authors, Basil,--Saint, Bishop of Caesarea,--ca. 329-379, Fathers of the church, Greek, Early works,
Importance
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Biography

St. John Climacus was born around the year 579. Upon becoming a monk, he spent several decades as a hermit. His emphasis on prayer and its process led him to write The Ladder of Divine Ascent. The book is 30 chapters long to coincide with Jesus' 30 years of life before calling his disciples. In this work, he discusses an ascetic method of prayer, which included repetition, controlling one's breathing, and assuming a specific body position while praying. This method is often referred to as the Jesus prayer or the Hesychast tradition. Climacus was appointed to be an abbot for the last decade of his life. Climacus died around the year 649.

Wailand Groenendyk
CCEL Staff Writer

Influence of St. John Climacus

Works published by St. John Climacus

Works published about St. John Climacus

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