04 ЛИСТОПАДА / NOVEMBER 4

Saint Joannicius the Great was born in 752 in the village of Marikat in Bithynia to a poor family. His parents could not afford to provide him with an education, so from childhood he worked tending the family’s cattle. Despite these hardships, the young Joannicius had a deep love for God and devoted much of his time to prayer. According to tradition, he would make the Sign of the Cross over the herd before withdrawing to a secluded place to pray, and neither thieves nor wild animals harmed the cattle.

During the reign of Emperor Leo IV, Joannicius was drafted into the imperial army. He served for six years, earning the respect of his fellow soldiers for his courage and good character. Yet his heart longed for a life of prayer and solitude. After leaving military service, he spent two years in a monastery, where he learned to read and write and memorized thirty Psalms.

Saint Joannicius later withdrew into the wilderness, where he spent years in prayer, fasting, and solitude. After receiving the monastic tonsure, he continued his ascetic life, eventually memorizing the entire Psalter. His constant prayer became a source of spiritual strength, and he often repeated: “The Father is my hope, the Son is my refuge, the Holy Spirit is my protection.”

Through his holiness and devotion, Saint Joannicius received from God the gifts of prophecy and wonderworking. Tradition recounts that he rescued captives, protected people from danger, overcame temptations through prayer, and performed many other miracles. He spent seventy years in ascetic struggles and reposed in the Lord on November 4, 846, at the age of 94.

The Hieromartyrs Nicander, Bishop of Myra, and Hermas the Presbyter were disciples of Saint Titus, one of the Apostles of the Seventy, who ordained them to the priesthood. Through their preaching and pastoral ministry, they brought many pagans to faith in Christ.

Because of their missionary work, they were arrested and brought before the prefect Libanius. Neither persuasion nor threats could make them renounce their faith. They endured terrible tortures, including being dragged over stones, wounded with iron hooks, and thrown into a burning furnace. Finally, nails were driven into their heads and hearts, and they were buried in a pit.

The holy martyrs remained faithful to Christ until death and received the crown of eternal life, entering into the joy of their Lord.