(Part 8) The Lenten Prayer of St Ephraim is the ‘Step Stool’ of ‘Ladder of Divine Ascent’ for the Rest of Us

 

“Patience (ὑπομονή)”  {Long Suffering = μακροθυμία) 

Remaining under trials without fleeing or complaining: long‑suffering toward people, circumstances, and one’s own weaknesses.

• Step 4 – Obedience: patient endurance of humiliations, rebukes, and hard obediences, often with narrative examples.

• Step 8 – Freedom from anger & meekness: patience in insults and injuries as proof of real meekness.

• Step 26 – Discernment: patience in temptations and delays as a sign of maturity; warns against premature demands for consolations.

Biblical References  ὑπομονή – patience, endurance

NT Very frequent in Paul, Hebrews, Revelation. Representative: 

Romans 5:3–4 – ἡ θλῖψις ὑπομονὴν κατεργάζεται… – “tribulation produces endurance.”

Revelation 2:2–3 – οἶδά σου τὴν ὑπομονήν… καὶ οὐ κεκοπίακες – “I know your endurance… and you have not grown weary. 

LXX Appears in Sirach (e.g., Sirach 2:14; 16:13; 41:2) in the sense of steadfastness under trials.

The virtue of ὑπομονή—patience or endurance—together with μακροθυμία (long-suffering), is the steadfast ability to remain under trials without fleeing, complaining, or losing hope, bearing both circumstances and people with quiet strength. In The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Saint John Climacus shows that this virtue is forged through struggle: in Step 4, obedience trains the soul to endure rebukes and humiliations; in Step 8, patience under insult becomes the true measure of meekness; and in Step 26, perseverance in temptations and delays reveals spiritual maturity, guarding against the demand for premature consolation. Scripture likewise presents ὑπομονή as a transformative power, teaching that “tribulation produces endurance” (Romans 5:3–4) and praising those who labor without growing weary (Revelation 2:2–3). Thus, patience is not passive resignation, but an active, grace-filled perseverance that conforms the believer to Christ, strengthening the soul to endure all things with faith, hope, and unshakable trust in God.