The Ladder of Divine Ascent is a late-12th-century Christian icon in the monastery of Saint Catherine, located at the foot of Mount Sinai in Egypt.Festival icons for the Christian year by John Baggley 2000 pages 83-84
Description The icon represents the theological teachings of John Climacus, also known as John of the Ladder, as represented in the ascetical treatise The Ladder of Divine Ascent, written c. AD 600. The treatise has been influential in Eastern Christianity.The Quest for the City : A.D. 740 to 1100 by Ted Byfield 2004 page 20 Written Word: Exploring Faith Through Christian Art by Eileen M. Daily 2005 page 73
The icon depicts monks ascending the ladder towards Jesus in Heaven, at the top right of the image with John Climacus at the top of the ladder, being welcomed by Jesus. The ladder has 30 rungs representing the 30 stages of ascetic life.
The ascent of the monks is assisted by the prayers of angels, saints and the community, while demons attack and try to make monks fall from the ladder by pulling them down or striking them with arrows. The depiction of the ladder reflects the importance of angels and demons in Eastern Orthodox spirituality.The Oxford illustrated history of Christianity by John McManners 2001 page 136 The icon also shows a gaping maw, representing the Devil himself who is devouring a monk who has fallen from the ladder.The Uncreated Light: An Iconographical Study of the Transfiguration In the Eastern Church by Solrunn Nes 2007 page 89
The ladder shows some monks who have almost reached the summit as being tempted by demons and falling.Growing in Christ: Shaped in His Image by Mother Raphaela 2003 page 20 The depiction of the monks falling off is a reflection of what John Climacus expressed as "what never ceased to amaze him" namely why some monks still gave in to worldly passions when God, the angels and the saints were encouraging them towards virtue.
See also Ladder of Divine Ascent (Tzanes)
References
Further reading Evans, Helen C. & Wixom, William D., The glory of Byzantium: art and culture of the Middle Byzantine era, A.D. 843-1261, no. 247, 1997, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, ; full text available online from The Metropolitan Museum of Art Libraries