THE ORTHODOX WORD A BIMONTHLY PERIODICAL 1969 Vol. 5, No. 4 (27) San Francisco, Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia Editors: Eugene Rose, M.A., & Gleb Podmoshensky, B.Th. Printed by the Father Herman of Alaska Brotherhood. Text set in 10-point Garamont type, titles in 18-point Goudy Bold. CONTENTS 121 The Canonization of Father Herman of Alaska 123 The Miraculous Icons of the Mother of God: The Surety of Sinners 128 The Appearance of the Most Holy Mother of God at Zeytoon, Egypt by Fayek M. Ishak, Ph D 135 The Fathers of Orthodox Monasticism: The Life of St. John Climacus and the Ladder of Divine Ascent by Prof. I. M. Kontzevich 145 Orthodox Issues of the Day: Ecumenism by Archbishop Vitaly of Montreal and Canada July - August Established with the blessing of His Eminence the late Jobn (Maximovitch), Archbishop of Western America and COVER: Vision of the Heavenly Ladder (Icon of Moscow School, 1éth century). St. John Climacus stands at the foot of the Ladder, guiding monks up its steps. Copyright 1969 by Orthodox Christian Books & Icons. Published bimonthly by Orthodox Christian Books & Icons. Second-