Today, we celebrate Saint John Climacus. John's origins are obscure, though we know that he lived in the Seventh Century (~601-700 AD). He entered the monastery on Mount Sinai in Israel when he was 16 years old: his whole life was defined by his search of God. At that time, monks lived in two different forms: first, there were Hermits (Anchorites) who, having learned by the help of many brethren how to fight against the devil, go out well armed from the ranks of the community to the solitary combat of the desert. Hermits went out, with no help save from God, to fight single-handed against the vices of the flesh and their own evil thoughts. Second, there were what would call Monks (Cenobites). Monks live in community in a monastery under obedience to an Abbot and serve under a Rule (e.g. The Rule of St. Benedict). The monastery was a "school" for monks to learn to listen attentively to the voice of Jesus Christ, and to begin to combat the vices of the flesh. Saint John Climacus spent 19 years living in the monastery on Mount Sinai under the direction of his abbot, Abba Martyrios. After his abbot died, Saint John became a Hermit in Thole, where he remained for 40 years. During that time, other monks--and even some abbots--sought him out for spiritual guidance. An abbot from a nearby monastery asked him to write a treatise on the spiritual life, which he did after much persuasion. This treatise, entitled The Ladder, is read every Lent in Orthodox monastery, even up to today! In his famous treatise, Saint John emphasizes that, even though our fleshly bodies are stubborn to let go of its vices, the body is not itself the enemy; but it is to be made holy: "How can I hate [my body] when my nature requires me to love it? How can I run away from it when it will be my companion at the resurrection? It is my helper and my enemy, my friend, and my opponent, a protector and a traitor." At the age of 75, Saint John was elected Abbot of his home monastery on Mount Sinai. He governed the monastery for four years before he died in the second half of the 7th century. Saint John Climacus, pray for us & strengthen us in our pursuit of holiness.