The Ladder of Divine Ascent
Monks climb a ladder toward Christ while demons drag them down with arrows and ropes. An icon made after "The Ladder" of Saint John Climacus - the best-known image of spiritual struggle in Orthodoxy.
- Hand-finished, with a certificate of authenticity
- Delivery across Serbia in 10-15 business days (express 3-4 business days)
- Carefully packaged for safe transport
- Cash on delivery - pay when you receive your order
Looking for another saint? Order a custom icon - we also make icons that aren't in the gallery.
This icon was made after the book "The Ladder" of Saint John Climacus, the seventh-century abbot of Sinai, which remains to this day the essential reading on spiritual ascent. In the icon monks climb a ladder set from earth to heaven - each rung is one step in the struggle with the passions. At the top Christ Himself receives them and extends His hand. Around the ladder black demons swarm: they shoot arrows, catch with hooks and ropes and drag down those who turn aside or falter, and these fall into the open jaws of Hades. To the side, in a cloud, angels and the assembly of saints look on and pray.
The icon does not depict something unattainable but a truth everyone knows from their own life - that one advances slowly, rung by rung, and that one falls precisely when one looks down instead of up. For this reason the icon is especially dear to those struggling with habits and discouragement, and to those just beginning the spiritual path. It finds its place in the prayer nook, the study, and as a gift to a spiritual child, to monks and to priests.
Features:
- Material: quality MDF base
- Technique: lithograph print on an MDF base
- Craft: gold background with a burgundy-painted panel edge; a multi-figure composition with finely painted faces
- Finish: protective eco-friendly varnish
- Hand-finished
- Certificate of authenticity with every piece
- Durable and stable construction
Ideal for:
- A prayer nook and a study
- A gift for monks, priests and a spiritual child
- Prayer in the struggle with passions and discouragement
- Fasting and Great Lent - the icon of the fourth Sunday of Lent
Each piece is unique and may have slight variations due to hand-finishing, which makes it special.
- Backing materialMDF
- TechniqueLithograph print on an MDF base with a protective eco-friendly varnish
- With the iconcertificate of authenticity, hanging hook
Each piece goes through several steps before it reaches you:
- MDF base. Carefully selected and worked to a smooth finish - a stable base that does not warp over time.
- Lithograph print. The icon is printed in high resolution onto the prepared MDF base, with faithful colours and detail.
- Hand-finishing. Every piece is finished and checked by hand before the final coat.
- Eco-friendly varnish. The final coat protects against moisture and gives lasting durability - the colours stay vivid for years.
- Certificate and hook. The back carries the workshop's mark and a hook ready for hanging. Every icon comes with a certificate of authenticity.
Delivery
We ship all orders within Serbia only. Delivery takes 10-15 business days from order confirmation - this includes crafting, packaging and transport.
Icons are sent by courier, with proof of delivery. Packaging is twofold - an inner layer with protective foam and an outer cushioning layer for safe transport.
Payment
We accept payment by bank transfer or cash on delivery. Card payment is coming soon.
Returns
You have the right to a return within 14 days of receipt - provided the icon is unused, in its original packaging and undamaged. More details in our Return Policy.
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