And when he came to himself, he begged us all to leave him immediately. And he built up the door of his cell, and he stayed in it for twelve years without ever uttering a word to anyone, and without eating anything but bread and water.
-St. John Climacus, Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century


We were amazed to see that one who had before been so negligent was so suddenly transfigured by this blessed change and transformation. We reverently buried him in the cemetery near the fort and after some days we looked for his holy relics, but did not find them.
-St. John Climacus, Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century


Just as the Fathers lay down that perfect love knows no sin, so I for my part declare that a perfect sense of death is free from fear ... The remembrance of death, like all other blessings, is a gift of God- He who has died to all things remembers death ...
-St. John Climacus, Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century