Greek Orthodoxy - Saint John of the Ladder

St. John's Ladder

The Ladder was written by one who, after living for most of his monastic life as a hermit, had in old age been entrusted with the pastoral care of a large community; it is the work of a solitary writing for canobites. The audience that John has in view is monastic. He begins his book, however, with a clear affirmation of God's loving care for the entirety of humankind. Salvation is offered to all alike.

God is the life of all free beings. He is the salvation of believers or unbelievers, or the just or unjust...of monks or those living in the world, of the educated or the illiterate, of the healthy or the sick, of the young or the very old. He is like the outpouring of light, the glimpse of the sun, or the changes of the weather, which are the same for everyone without exception. "For God is no respecter of persons" (Romans 2:11).

Teachings of St. John of the Ladder

A Christian is one who imitates Christ in thought, word, and deed, as far as is possible for human beings, believing rightly and blamelessly in the Holy Trinity.

Follow Christ without anxiety or hesitation, always looking heavenward and expecting help from there.

I do not know whether we must all teach others: but teach yourself at all costs.

Do not be surprised that you fall every day; do not give up, but stand your ground courageously.

If anyone could see his own vices accurately without the veil of self-love, he would worry about nothing else in this life.

A man is freed from sin who does not discontinue hot tears of repentance until he sees that Jesus has come to him and rolled away the stone of hardness of heart and loosed Lazarus from the bands of sin. Otherwise he will have gained nothing.

If the Holy Spirit is peace of soul, then nothing so prevents His presence in us as anger.

The Ladder of Divine Ascent
From the book:
A Year of the Lord