6th–7th century
Saint John Climacus
Abbot of Sinai and author of 'The Ladder,' a foundational work on the spiritual life.
Biography
John was born around the sixth century and, instead of the fine education he had received, chose prayer and asceticism. He went to Mount Sinai, where he was guided by the hermit Martyrius, and after becoming a monk his reputation for wisdom drew monks and laypeople seeking his counsel.
He served for a few years as abbot of the Sinai monastery before withdrawing again to the solitary life. He left two important works, the 'Ladder,' thirty discourses on virtue arranged like steps toward spiritual perfection, and the 'Discourse to the Shepherd.'