The Ladder of Divine Ascent | Orthodox T-Shirt

The Ladder of Divine Ascent

This comfortable Christian T-shirt features a personalized design of the icon of the Ladder of Divine Ascent by Saint John Climacus. It reads : “Renounce the World” and the main elements in the 30 chapters of the 30 steps of the ladder which are “asceticism and obedience — penitence and affliction — acquisition of virtue — humility, discernment and annihilation of passions — hesychia and apatheia”.

The Ladder of Divine Ascent, taken from manuscripts dating from the 11th and 12th centuries, depicts a 30-step ladder leading to heaven. The strategic placement of the ladder, which cuts the icon into two complementary triangles, represents heaven in the upper triangular and earth in the lower. The journey to the top of the ladder, where Jesus stretches out his open hands, is strewn with sins against which man struggles internally, represented by the demons ready to seize the souls of those who lack perseverance. The act of climbing also represents physical pain, as is the case with any exercise that defies gravity. In this sense, the weight felt by the monks is at once physical, mental and spiritual. The icon shows several examples of monks who have given in to the temptation of sin, as demons in dark chains haul their victims up the ladder into hell.

About Our T-shirts

A perfect blend of comfort, style and faith. Made from high-quality ring-spun organic cotton. Designed for the Christian who seeks to combat the nihilism of the modern age, it embodies a unique marriage of Orthodox symbolism and the rebellious spirit of punk, metal and hardcore.

Our t-shirts feature custom designs, conceived and crafted in Montreal, showcasing a dark aesthetic reminiscent of death Memento Mori, and demonstrating that the Christian life must be infused with violence to face the passions: The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force (Matthew 11:12).

An excellent purchase for yourself, or for a brother in Christ who loves punk, metal or hardcore aesthetics, that will serve as a daily reminder of our faith and the Last Judgment.

Make sure to look at the size guide grid bellow to order a size that fits.

Product Information

• 100% organic ring-spun cotton
• DTG printing
• Available in white, khaki and blue
• Fabric weight: 5.3 oz./yd.² (180 g/m²)
• Single jersey
• Medium fit
• Set-in sleeves
• 1 × 1 rib at collar
• Wide double-needle topstitch on the sleeves and bottom hems
• Self-fabric neck tape (inside, back of the neck)

Size Guide

The sizes correspond to the Europe market, so American customers should order a size up. Please refer to the table bellow for sizes. Product measurements may vary by up to 5 cm.