St. John Climacus, also known as John of the Ladder, was a 7th-century Christian monk and ascetic. He is best known for his spiritual work, the Ladder of Divine Ascent, which outlines a path of spiritual growth and moral development. This text is highly regarded in Eastern Orthodox Christianity and is often read during the Great Lent. Born in Sinaia, he later became the abbot of a monastery on Mount Sinai. His teachings emphasize the importance of humility, prayer, and self-discipline in the pursuit of a closer relationship with God. St. John Climacus is commemorated on the fourth Sunday of Lent in the Orthodox Church.