Our Journey To Pascha 2021!
Brought to you by the Religious Education Committee
St. John Climacus
By: Fr. Barnabas Powell
Devotional Reading
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Click Here
Thirty Steps to Heaven - Click Here
Luke 23: 39-43 (OSB page 1413)
Genesis 28: 10-17 (OSB page 37)
Family Activities
Take out a ladder or climb up the steps in your house. Imagine you are climbing one step at a time to God. In the book, Ladder of Divine Ascent, St. John talks about the climb and gives various virtues we need to acquire as we climb each step.

  1. Is it easier to run up the steps at full speed or take one step at a time - slow and steady?
  2. The icon of the Ladder of Divine Ascent shows people falling off or being pulled off by evil demons. Do you have people in your life that try to pull you off the steps or distract your eyes from your climb?
  3. Where do you think you are in your climb to Christ? Who are the people in your life that help you climb?
  4. How can we keep our focus on the icon of Christ who is at the top of the ladder welcoming us with open arms?

Draw or create a ladder with popsicle sticks or paper. List some virtues we need to acquire like: prayer, generosity, meekness, forgiveness, silence, obedience, hope, humility, purity, repentance, and love. Click Here!

  1. Discuss these virtues and how we can acquire them.
  2. How does this season help us to acquire the virtues? Why do we need them?
Fun Fact!
The word “Climacus” means “ladder” and thus his name gives honor to his writing of The Ladder of Divine Ascent. Saint John became a monk at a young age and later in his life he retreated to the desert as a hermit. His book, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, has become a great resource for Orthodox Monastics Communities and has also influenced the Church at large.
Lent Lunch & Learn
St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church in Charlotte, NC invites the Metropolis of Atlanta communities to their Lent Lunch and Learn. It is a zoom call every Thursday.

Today's Topic: Spiritual Growth, Personal and Communal