St. John Climacus – Alana Nickels

“If you see someone falling into sin at the very moment of his death, even then do not judge him…”

Fire and water are incompatible; and so is judging others in one who wants to repent. If you see someone falling into sin at the very moment of his death, even then do not judge him, because the Divine judgment is hidden from men. Some have fallen openly into great sins, but they have done greater good deeds in secret; so their critics were tricked, getting smoke instead of the sun.

– St. John Climacus (John of the Ladder)

Featured image: Panel Miniature with St. John Climacus. Late 14th century. source

Quotes on Orthodoxy / St. John Climacus

“Let us who are weak and passionate have the courage…”

Let us who are weak and passionate have the courage to offer our infirmity and natural weakness to Christ with unhesitating faith, and confess it to Him; and we shall be certain to obtain His help, even beyond our merit.

– St. John Climacus (John of the Ladder)

Featured image: The Ladder of Divine Ascent, fresco on the north wall of the Chapel of Sucevita Monastery in Romania. Painted by the brothers Ioan and Sofronie of Suceava in 1595. source

Quotes on Orthodoxy / St. John Climacus

“We have spouses and families and are surrounded with social and earthly cares.”

Some people who were living carelessly in the world have asked me: We have spouses and families and we are surrounded with social and earthly cares. Then how we follow a life close to Christ like the one that the monks live?

I replied to them: Do all the good you can; do not speak evil of anyone; do not steal from anyone; do not lie to anyone; do not be arrogant towards anyone; do not hate any one; be sure you participate to the church services; be compassionate to the ones who are in need; do not scandalize anyone; do not destroy another person’s domestic happiness and be faithful to your spouse. If you behave in this way, you will not be far from the Kingdom of Heaven.

– St. John Climacus

Featured image: Wooden Orthodox Church interior in Radruż, Poland.

Quotes on Orthodoxy / St. John Climacus

“Run away from places that you may fall in sin as from the plague…”

Run away from places that you may fall in sin or you have fallen before, as from the plague. For when food is not present, we have no frequent desire and appetite to eat it.

– St. John Climacus (John of the Ladder)

Featured image: Wooden church in Novgorod Oblast, Russia. Photo by Walter Bibikow. source

Quotes on Orthodoxy / St. John Climacus

“Remember this and you will no longer judge:”

Remember this and you will no longer judge: Judas was an Apostle, and the thief crucified at Christ’s right hand was a murderer.

– St. John Climacus (John of the Ladder)

Featured image: The Ladder of Divine Ascent, fresco on the north wall of the Chapel of Sucevita Monastery in Romania. Painted by the brothers Ioan and Sofronie of Suceava in 1595.