At a time when identity politics flood the news cycle, shaping what we talk about and how we relate to each other and the world around us — the concept of virtue, or how to live virtuously — seems all but absent from public discourse. Sadly.

Fortunately, Saint John Klimakos, who is commemorated every year on March 30, has voluminous amounts of insight and wisdom to confer on this worthy topic. He is also remembered on the fourth Sunday of Great Lent to help inspire those on their own Lenten journey, culminating at the Resurrection Service on Pascha (Easter).

Before Saint John Klimakos (which means ladder) extolled the merits of living a virtuous life, Greek philosophers also waxed rhapsodic about the virtues of temperance, wisdom, justice, and courage — or natural virtues.

“Exile,” he wrote, “is a separation from everything, in order that one may hold on totally to God.”

Subsequently, Saint Paul in the New Testament referenced faith, hope, and love as virtues to live by — with love eclipsing all else. “And now abide in faith, hope, and love, these three, but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians, 13:13).

Though details of Saint John’s early life are scant, his love for his Creator was boundless to be sure. At age 16, he renounced the world and set out to become a novice (monk), learning about the spiritual life from the elder monk Martyrios. After the elder’s passing, Saint John withdrew to a hermitage at the base of St. Catherine’s Monastery in the barren wilderness of Mount Sinai, in Egypt, where it is believed God revealed himself to Moses, and some six centuries later to Prophet Elias.

St. John Klimakos lived in isolation. He studied the lives of saints who preceded him, becoming one of the most learned church fathers.

Related: Singer Colton Dixon’s Dating Advice: ‘Don’t Compromise’

“Exile,” he wrote, “is a separation from everything, in order that one may hold on totally to God.”

No stranger to the communal life of cenobitic monasticism — where everything is shared — Saint John was appointed Abbot of the Monastery at Mount Sinai later in life. He wrote the spiritual tome “The Ladder of the Divine Ascent,” which contains 30 homilies on virtue and describes how to raise one’s soul to God via ascetic (rigorously self-disciplined) virtues.

Who do you think would win the Presidency?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

The treatise, which incorporates the analogy of Jacob’s Ladder (Genesis 28: 10-17), also expounds on the necessary steps to attain theosis — or oneness with God. Eastern Christian teaching says that theosis is the purpose of human life itself.

Icons depicting this work illustrate a ladder extending from earth to heaven with 30 rungs. While angels assist monks as they strive to ascend toward Christ who stands at the summit, demons test and torment them. The number 30 also corresponds to Christ’s age when He initiated His public ministry.

Related: Singer Colton Dixon’s Dating Advice: ‘Don’t Compromise’

Though “The Ladder of the Divine Ascent” was originally intended for monastics, throughout the centuries it has been widely embraced by laity as well, especially Eastern Orthodox Christians during the Lenten season.

Saint John is believed to have reposed in 649. Also known as John of the Ladder, John Scholasticus, and John Sinaites, he is commemorated by Christians worldwide — including Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Eastern Catholic, and Oriental Orthodox denominations.

Here’s a hymn of the Eastern Orthodox Church (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America) commemorating the feast day of St. John Klimakos: “With the rivers of your tears, you have made the barren desert fertile. Through sighs of sorrow from deep within you, your labors have borne fruit a hundredfold. By your miracles you have become a light, shining upon the world. O John, our Holy Father, pray to Christ our God, to save our souls.”

Elizabeth M. Economou writes about higher education, health and real estate. She is a former adjunct professor and CNBC staff business writer.