The Ladder of Divine Ascent
The Ladder of Divine Ascent, also known as The Ladder of Paradise, is a 12th-century icon that
represents the theological teachings of the 6th-7th-century Christian monk John Climacus. The icon depicts a ladder to Heaven,
which has 30 rungs symbolizing 30 stages of ascetic life. John
Climacus is shown at the top right of the image, welcomed by Jesus Christ into
Heaven. The icon also depicts monks ascending the ladder, who are attacked by
demons trying to make them fall. The Ladder of Divine Ascent is kept at the Monastery
of St. Catherine on Mount Sinai.