Saint
Joannicius the Great
Venerable Joannicius the Great († 846)
New Calendar November 4 Old Calendar November 17
Why they are a saint
He was born in the village of Marikata (Bithynia), and in his youth was a shepherd. Later he served his country on the battlefield and then left the vanity of the world for Mount Olympus and there practiced asceticism as a hermit for many years in the wildest and most deserted places. Through an unremitting battle with his passions, indefatigable works, vigil and prayer "having cleansed the passions of darkness" "and having destroyed the flesh", he trampled down "the nets of the enemy", achieved sanctity, having become "a co-participant with angels".
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Joannicius the Great as a patron when they bear the name Joannicius at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on November 4. As a monastic, he is also asked for help in prayer, fasting, and repentance.
Prayer
O holy Joannicius the Great, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.