St. John of the Ladder > Four Evangelists Orthodox Church, Bel Air, Maryland

Glory to Jesus Christ!

This coming Sunday, 30 March 2025, is the 4th Sunday of Great Lent and the Sunday of St. John of the Ladder.

St. John Climacus is commemorated on 30 March and on the Fourth Sunday of Holy Lent (which happens to coincide this year). He is called Climacus due to his authorship of the great spiritual work The Ladder of Divine Ascent. His commemoration is designated by the Church on one of the Sundays of Lent as his life and writings affirm him as a supreme bearer and proponent of Christian asceticism. The ascetic example of this great Saint of the Church inspires us in our Lenten journey.¹

Ladder of Divine Ascent (icon), Saint Catherine’s Monastery, late 12th century

The readings for this Sunday are:

Ephesians 5.9–19 (Epistle, Saint)
Matthew 4.25–5.12 (Gospel, Saint)
Hebrews 6.13–20 (Epistle)
Mark 9.17–31 (Gospel)

Upcoming services during Great Lent:

Vespers for the 3rd Sunday in Lent on Saturday, 29 March, at 6 PM
Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great on Sunday, 30 March, at 9 AM (with Prayers of the Hours beginning at 8:45 AM)
Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on Wednesday, 02 April 2025, at 6 PM followed by a light Lenten potluck dinner.

Access our full Lent, Passion Week, and Pascha calendar here.

This Sunday, April 07, is the fourth Sunday of Great Lent and the Sunday of St. John of the Ladder.

Please join us at 6PM for Vespers on Saturday, April 06, and at 9AM for the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, April 07. All are welcome!

The readings from Holy Scripture are: Matthew 28:16-20 (1st Matins Gospel), Ephesians 5:9-19 (Epistle, Saint), Matthew 4:25-5:12 (Gospel, Saint), Hebrews 6:13-20 (Epistle), and Mark 9:17-31 (Gospel).

Of this day we are told:

The Fourth Sunday of Lent is dedicated to Saint John of the Ladder (Climacus), the author of the work, The Ladder of Divine Ascent. The abbot of Saint Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai (6th century) stands as a witness to the violent effort needed for entrance into God’s Kingdom (Mt.10: 12). The spiritual struggle of the Christian life is a real one, “not against flesh and blood, but against … the rulers of the present darkness … the hosts of wickedness in heavenly places …” (Eph 6:12). Saint John encourages the faithful in their efforts for, according to the Lord, only “he who endures to the end will be saved” (Mt.24:13).
from the website of the Orthodox Church in America

4th Sunday of Lent: Sunday of St. John of the Ladder

Fourth Sunday of Great Lent (Sunday of St. John of the Ladder)