Type 5997
(formerly typ/3989)

Πέρας προσῆκον ὧδ’ ἡ κλίμαξ λαμβάνει
ἡ νοερά τε καὶ θεότευκτος ὄντως·
ἧς μὴ προσψαύσῃς πράξεως ἂν χηρεύῃς,
οὐ μὴ γὰρ πλέον συνιέναι ἰσχύσῃς.
Text source R. Meesters 2025, Picturing a Ladder. A Critical Edition of Hierotheos the Monk’s Metrical Preface to Klimax, of a Metrical Summary of the 'Ladder' and of a Kontakion on Klimax, in P. Van Deun, M. Venetskov (eds.), The Ladder of Divine Ascent by John of Sinai (Climacus). New Perspectives, Leuven / Paris / Bristol, 87-113: 111
Text status Text completely known
Editorial status Critical text
Genre(s)
Metre(s) Dodecasyllable
Subject(s) Heavenly Ladder
Tag(s)
Translation(s) In this way, the ladder reaches a convenient end,
which is truly spiritual and God-built.
Don’t touch it, if you lack practice,
because you are unable to understand anything more.
Language
English
Source(s)
R. Meesters 2025, Picturing a Ladder. A Critical Edition of Hierotheos the Monk’s Metrical Preface to Klimax, of a Metrical Summary of the 'Ladder' and of a Kontakion on Klimax, in P. Van Deun, M. Venetskov (eds.), The Ladder of Divine Ascent by John of Sinai (Climacus). New Perspectives, Leuven / Paris / Bristol, 87-113: 111
Comment Since Revilla (1936: 386) only gives the first three verses, Vassis (2005: 612) indicates that the epigram consists of only three instead of four verses.
Bibliography
Number of verses 4
Occurrence(s) [23451] Πέρας προσῆκον, ὧδ’ ἡ | κλίμαξ λαμβάνει [01/09/1131-31/08/1132]
EL ESCORIAL - Real Biblioteca Σ.ΙΙΙ.18 [01/09/1131-31/08/1132] (f. 281r)
(4 verses)
Acknowledgements Information on the type courtesy of Ioannis Vassis.

Creator(s)
Contributor(s)

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Identification Vassis ICB 2005, 612: "Ad calcem Scalae Paradisi Ioannis Climaci"
Permalink http://www.dbbe.ugent.be/types/5997
Last modified: 2026-03-24.