Some guidelines for the devoted Christian, by Saint John Sinaites – ‘Climacus’

Here we present some excerpts fron Saint John -‘Climacus’- Sinaites’ ‘Ladder’, very useful for any devoted Christian, in his spiritual effort.

“Those who have really determined to serve Christ, with the help of spiritual fathers and their own self-knowledge, will strive before all else to choose a place, and a way of life, and a habitation, and exercises suitable for them. For community life is not for all, on account of covetousness; and places of solitude are not for all, on account of anger. But each will consider what is most suited to his needs.”

“To admire the labours of the saints is good; to emulate them wins salvation; but to wish suddenly to imitate their life in every point is unreasonable and impossible.”

“A servant of the Lord is he who in body stands before men, but in mind knocks at Heaven with prayer.”

“To judge others is a shameless arrogation of the Divine prerogative; to condemn is the ruin of one’s soul.”

“An angel fell from Heaven without any other passion except pride, and so we may ask whether it is possible to ascend to Heaven by humility alone, without any other of the virtues.”

“In all your undertakings and in every way of life, whether you are living in obedience, or are not submitting your work to anyone, whether in outward or in spiritual matters, let it be your rule and practice to ask yourself: Am I really doing this in accordance with God’s will?”