Feast Day: November 4th
The Life of Saint Ioannikios: As she approached, he recognized that this young girl was Spiritually advanced and instructed her to rejoice and go to the Monastery of Chrysovalantou in the city for there she was needed to become a shepherdess of virgins. Saint Irene fell to his feet in acknowledgement of his Holiness. Saint Ioannikios gave her much needed Spiritual advice to strengthen and guide her in the task that God had chosen for her…
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Prayers
Another Apolytikion in Plagal of the First Tone: Thou didst abandon earthly glory and wast illumined by the light of God’s inspiration. Wherefore thou didst shine on earth like a fadeless star. For thou wast found worthy to hear the Divine Voice like Moses and wast also like the Angels and a treasury of Grace, O Holy Father loannikios.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone: We have come together today to honour thy Memory, and implore thee to obtain mercy for us from the Lord, O Holy Father Ioannikios.
When he was old enough, he was given the task of shepherding. It became his practice to make the Sign of the Cross over the animals and withdraw to a solitary place to Pray. Even though he Prayed at great length, the animals did not stray and were always safe. Although he was never taught to read and write, he heard the Word of God and strove to keep His Commandments.
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Returning from a military campaign, he and his fellow soldiers were walking by Mount Olympus when a clairvoyant Monk who was led by the Holy Spirit came out and spoke to Saint Ioannikios, calling him by name and telling him that all his labours to live a virtuous life were in vain since he did not follow the Orthodox Faith by his disdaining to Venerate the Icon of Christ. From that time on, Saint Ioannikios repented of his error, and Venerated the Icons of Christ and the Saints. For the next six years, he spent more time in Prayer, fasted more, and slept on the floor even though he was quartered in the palace…
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Saint Irene Chrysovalantou received the blessing and guidance of Saint Ioannikios the Great, who told her of God’s Will for her to go to the Monastery of Chrysovalantou. Saint Irene rejoiced and became a Nun, a Bride of Christ.
As she approached, he recognized that this young girl was Spiritually advanced and instructed her to rejoice and go to the Monastery of Chrysovalantou in the city for there she was needed to become a shepherdess of virgins. Saint Irene fell to his feet in acknowledgement of his Holiness. Saint Ioannikios gave her much needed Spiritual advice to strengthen and guide her in the task that God had chosen for her…
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