Feastday of John Climacus: 30 March
When did St. John Climacus live: in the sixth century
Biography of St. John Climacus:
There is only little information about the life of St. John Climacus. He joined the monastery of Sinai at the age of sixteen and became monk. According to the legend, he spent 4 years studying and to be instructed. Then, he moved to Thola where he lived ascetically and instructed a few other pupils in the sakes. Despite his strict living-style, some monks described him as a chatty and childish man. This lead to silence him completely for a year long. After this, he was elected abbot of the Saint Catherine's Monastery in Sinai after having spent 40 years as a hermit.
He died there on March 30th at the age of seventy.
Statues and wooden sculptures representing St. John Climacus - portrayal, imagery and emblem: St. John Climacus is shown as a hermit with the abbot's crosier and a ladder.