The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus
This is an unusual, theological and symbolic icon. It depicts a staircase leading in paradise to Jesus Christ, along which people who are overcome by demons rise. This is a capacious, allegorical image of the struggle of a person’s will with passions on the path to virtue. The steps of the stairs symbolize that spiritual perfection is not immediately achieved, but gradually, step by step.
In the book “Ladder” of St. John, each of the steps means certain stages of self -improvement for believers, including the struggle with worldly vanity, with vices, overcoming barriers in ascetic life
The last steps of the stairs are especially important: after victories over the temptations, the time is the time to master the virtues, the three of which are the most important are faith, hope and love. Without them, do not enter the kingdom of God. The number of steps of the stairs is thirty - no coincidence. The figure refers us to the thirty years of self -improvement of Jesus Christ, preceding the beginning of His service to humanity. On the icon “Lynnety of John the Lygne”, we see how the trials are waiting for a person at every step of the path. Someone falls from the stairs at the very beginning, someone goes astray from the moral path in the middle, and someone gives up almost at the very top. It is noteworthy that the angels are depicted aside, they froze in prayer and do not interfere in the course of events.
Thus, the icon painter shows the viewer that the struggle against demons (passions, temptations) in the hands of the person himself depends on his will. At the very top of the stairs, John himself is depicted, holding out a scroll with his composition to Jesus Christ. He went this path.
The icon is made by printing on a wooden board. Paints are mineral, do not fade with time. The thickness of the board is 2 cm. The board is covered with primer by hand. The image is covered with wax. Each icon has a metal mount on the back side so that you can hang the icon on the wall.
You can buy the icon in three sizes:
- 13 х 9 centimeters (5,1 x 3,5 inches)
- 19 х 14 centimeters (7,5 x 5,5 inches)
- 26 х 19 centimeters (10,2 x 7,5 inches)
Our icons are made by Orthodox craftsmen. You can read more about the technology here.
We hope it will be a good gift for you and your loved ones.
