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John Climacus Quotes

Saint

John Climacus (525-606), a renowned saint, had a profound impact on Eastern Orthodox Christianity through his life and writings. His work, 'The Ladder of Divine Ascent,' has been a significant guide for monks and nuns in the Orthodox tradition.

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Famous John Climacus Quotes

“Become aware of God, in whose presence you are while you pray . . . Then take a formula of prayer and recite it with perfect attention both to the words you are saying and to the Person to whom you are saying them.”

Persons Spiritual Prayer Perfect Attention Praying Formulas

Author:John Climacus

“We know the utility of prayer from the efforts of the wicked spirits to distract us during the divine office; and we experience the fruit of prayer in the defeat of our enemies.”

Knows Spirit Prayer Effort Enemy Divine Office Fruit Defeat Wicked Utility

Author:John Climacus

“Faith furnishes prayer with wings, without which it cannot soar to Heaven.”

Heaven Prayer Wings Soar

Author:John Climacus

“The lover of silence draws close to God. He talks to Him in secret and God enlightens him.”

Prayer Secret Silence Lovers Draws Enlightening Answers To Prayer Answered Prayers Prayers Not Being Answered

Book:John Climacus (CWS)

Source: John Climacus (CWS)

“A servant of the Lord stands bodily before men, but mentally he is knocking at the gates of heaven with prayer.”

Men Heaven Prayer Lord Servant Gates Knocking Answers To Prayer Gates Of Heaven

Book:John Climacus (CWS)

Source: John Climacus (CWS)

“When a man has found the Lord, he no longer has to use words when he is praying, for the Spirit Himself will intercede for him with groans that cannot be uttered.”

Men Use Spirit Found Prayer Lord Praying Answers To Prayer

Book:John Climacus (CWS)

Source: John Climacus (CWS)

“It can happen that when we are at prayer some brothers come to see us. Then we have to choose either to interrupt our prayer or to sadden our brother by refusing to answer him. But love is greater than prayer. Prayer is one virtue among others, whereas love contains them all.”

Happens Spiritual Prayer Answers Love Is Virtue Greater Brother Our Prayers

Author:John Climacus

“When the soul betrays itself and loses the blessed and longed-for fervor, let it carefully investigate the reason for losing it. And let it arm itself with all its longing and zeal against whatever caused this. For the former fervor can return only through the same door through which it was lost.”

Soul Reason Light Joy Spirit Lost Loses Prayer Doors Arms Return Losing Blessed Longing Former Betray Zeal Fervor

Author:John Climacus

About the Author

Born: 525
Died: March 30, 606
Known for: Saint
Quotes: 59

Books & Sources

John Climacus (CWS)Related source material

The Ladder of Divine AscentRelated source material

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