The Fourth Sunday of Lent is dedicated to the commemoration of the Righteous John, Climacus. This year’s observance falls on 30 March, the exact date for the commemoration of the author of The Ladder of Divine Ascent. Coming three weeks before Pascha, this Sunday brings with it an opportunity for reflection, repentance, and spiritual renewal. As Orthodox Christians enter the fifth week, the focus shifts towards deepening one’s spiritual life and drawing closer to God through ascetic practices, prayer, and acts of charity.
St. John Climacus was a 7th-century monk and ascetic of Mount Sinai whose most famous work, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, outlines 30 steps of virtue that guide believers in their journey toward holiness. St. John’s teachings emphasize the need for humility, repentance, and steadfastness in the pursuit of salvation. The Ladder serves as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual life, depicting the ascent of the soul from earthly struggles to the embrace of divine grace.
With each passing week, the faithful are invited to grow in their understanding of the mysteries of the faith, prepare for the joy of Easter, and experience spiritual renewal that will carry them through the year. In today’s Gospel (Mark 9:17-31), our Lord Jesus Christ emphasizes the significance of prayer and fasting. When His disciples asked why they could not cast out the evil spirit, He replied, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:29)
Perseverance and faith are needed for ascension to greater heights of holiness. Through the teachings of St. John Climacus and the ongoing practices of fasting and prayer, the faithful are invited to draw closer to Christ, preparing their hearts for the glorious celebration of His Resurrection.
Oikos on the Sunday of St. John Climacus
You have rendered yourself God’s true abode, O Father, by your divine virtue, adorning it lucidly, as with gold that glitters from afar. You set forth faith, hope and true charity as divine axioms. As with angelic self-control, you practiced prudence, courage, and temperance. You acquired humility, by which you were exalted. Hence, you were enlightened by prayer unfailing, and you attained the mansions of heaven, as our professor and mentor, O Father John.