St John Climacus is venerated by the Holy Church as one of the outstanding co-founders of monasticism.
The estimated period of his life is estimated to be between the sixth and seventh centuries. Despite the widespread veneration of this ascetic among believers, and especially among monastics, biographical details of his life have not reached us.
He is known to a wide circle of Christians, first and foremost, as the author of the authoritative and highly popular work of ascetic literature, "The Ladder of Asceticism." It would not be an exaggeration to say that this work was a reference book for many renowned ascetics.
According to some historical sources, John Climacus was the son of Saint Xenophon. His presumed birthplace is identified as Constantinople.
Based on the evidence that has come down to us, on the basis of which it is known that before entering the monastic path, John was taught external wisdom, and, therefore, managed to receive an appropriate secular education, it is appropriate to assume that he was born and raised in a financially secure family.
Even at a young age, John preferred a harsh, ascetic life to the joys of this world. At the age of sixteen, he became a monk on Mount Sinai.
This biblical site has attracted ascetics since the 3rd century. It is believed that during the time of St. Climacus, at least several dozen hermits sought refuge in the area.
Having renounced proud ambitions, vanity and self-indulgence, John entrusted his spiritual education to one of the most skilled and experienced Sinai teachers, the spirit-bearing Abba Martyrius.
Despite his enviable education, having mastered the basics of monastic wisdom, John did not boast of his learning, was modest and simple in his communication with his neighbors, and was obedient to his spiritual father in everything.
Following the advice of his mentor, Abba Martyrius, and fulfilling his instructions, he did this so diligently and selflessly, as if he were listening not to a man, but to the Heavenly King Himself, who commanded through him.
Long before John was granted the leadership of the monks, God revealed his future glory through His saints. Thus, once Anastasius the Great, renowned for his virtue, named John Abbot of Sinai (although at that time he was still far from being an abbot). Another time, John the Sabbaite, an ascetic from the Guda desert, washed John Climacus's feet, as if he were already an abbot.
Solitary life
Nineteen years after taking monastic vows (according to other estimates, at the age of nineteen), after the death of his spiritual father, John chose the Fola Valley, located at the foot of Mount Sinai, as a place for his exploits.
Here he devoted himself to silence, unceasing prayer, strict fasting, vigil (he slept only enough to avoid losing his sanity through excessive vigilance), literary work, and other labors. He devoted part of his time to cultivating the land and tending the vegetable garden that provided food for the table.
According to the chronicler, John lived in silent solitude for about forty years, ablaze with zeal and blessed spiritual fire, never wandering from place to place (except for occasional visits to the lands of Egypt). He overcame idleness and laziness with God's help and constant remembrance of the coming Judgment.
The miracle of the deliverance of the ascetic Moses from death, accomplished through the prayers of St. John, is attributed to this period of his life.
At one time, Moses, having secured the elders' blessing, begged John to take him on as his apprentice and disciple. One day, while fertilizing the garden on his teacher's orders, Moses, exhausted by the scorching heat, fell fast asleep. John was also dozing. Then he saw a vision: a lordly man rebuked him and remarked that while he was dozing, Moses was in trouble. John, awakened by the man's appearance, immediately jumped up and began to pray. That evening, returning from work, Moses told him that as he fell asleep, he was nearly crushed by a huge stone, but he (Moses) managed to jump away just as he suddenly imagined John calling him.
Abbey
After forty years of asceticism, John, contrary to his own plans, became the head of the Sinai Monastery, becoming the abbot of Mount Sinai (the monastery there had previously been called the Monastery of the Burning Bush; the monastery subsequently erected there became known as the Monastery of St. Catherine). He saw this as divinely ordained.
The spiritual greatness of Abbot John, despite his meekness and humility, was so recognized by the monastery's brethren that they (and others) compared him to Moses, the Lawgiver, the leader of Old Testament Israel. It was noted that the first Moses, who did not enter the Promised Land, lost the lower Jerusalem, while the second Moses (St. John Climacus) attained the Upper City, the Heavenly Jerusalem.
Shortly before his death, Abbot John appointed a God-pleasing successor. This successor was Bishop George (he is believed to have been his brother in the flesh). After this, the saint withdrew to his former place and again devoted himself to silence. There he reposed. Tradition holds that his death occurred on March 30th.
Troparion to St. John Climacus, Abbot of Sinai, Tone 8
With the streams of your tears you cultivated the barren desert, / and with sighs from the depths you brought forth a hundred fruits of labor, / and you became a lamp of the universe, / shining with miracles, John, our father, // pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.
Troparion to the Venerable John Climacus, Abbot of Sinai, Tone 4
We have found, O Venerable John, your divine virtues as a divine ladder, raising us to Heaven: for you were the embodiment of virtues. Therefore, pray to Christ God that He may save our souls.
Kontakion to St. John Climacus, Abbot of Sinai, Tone 1
The fruits of ever-blooming teachings, /bringing forth from your book, O wise one,/ delight the hearts of those who listen to them with sobriety, blessed one: for it is a ladder that leads souls from earth to the heavenly and abiding glory // of those who honor you with faith.
Kontakion to the Venerable John Climacus, Abbot of Sinai, Tone 4
The Lord of true abstinence placed you on high, / like a star without flattery, guiding the ends of the earth, // mentor John, our father.
Source: https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Ioann_Lestvichnik/#about_list