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Quote by John Climacus

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John Climacus (CWS)

John Climacus, also known as Saint John of Sinai, was a prominent figure in the early Christian monastic tradition. His writings, preserved in this collection, are considered foundational texts for understanding the spiritual journey. The Ladder of Divine Ascent is particularly influential, providing a step-by-step guide for monks and laypeople seeking spiritual growth and enlightenment. This volume offers a scholarly translation of Climacus's works, making them accessible to contemporary readers. more

Author

John Climacus
John Climacus

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. more

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“God is inexhaustible in His gifts to men? Everywhere we see plenty and joy; only the greedy rich lay their hands on and keep in their treasuries too many of God's gifts, which might plentifully nourish hundreds and thousands of poor. Man! Believe firmly in God's inexhaustibility in His gifts, and willingly 'deal your bread to the hungry' (Isa. 58:7)?”

“... if a man prays God for some virtue, and at the same time gives himself up to negligence, acquiring no definite means to gain this virtue, and making no effort towards it, truly this man tempts God, rather than prays. Thus the divine James says: 'The effectual prayer of a righteous man avails much' (Jms. 5:16). What avails to make prayer effective? is when, besides begging a saint to pray for him about something, the man also prays about it himself and with all diligence does everything necessary for obtaining his request.”

“We must, with God's help, eradicate the deadly poison of the demon of anger from the depths of our souls. So long as he dwells in our hearts and blinds the eyes of the heart with his somber disorders, we can neither discriminate what is for our good, nor achieve spiritual knowledge, nor fulfill our good intentions, nor participate in true life; and our intellect will remain impervious to the contemplation of the true, divine light; for it is written, 'Man's anger does not bring about the righteousness of God' (Jms. 1:20).”

“Our Lord reserved to Himself certain things which He would do in due time in a manner outside the course and order of nature, so that they would wonder and be astonished at seeing not great but unusual things, who are unmoved by things daily seen. For the government of the world is a greater miracle than feeding five thousand men from five loaves; yet at the former no one wonders, the latter astonishes all men: not as a greater wonder, but as a rarer.”