November 4, 2021

St. Joannicus of Mount Olympus (d. 846) was a hermit, prophet, and miracle worker who defied the Byzantine emperor Theophilus and his Iconoclast policies. Born in Bithynia, in modem Turkey, Joannicus was an Iconoclast (A person who destroys images used in religious worship) until he was converted to the religious life at the age of forty. He became a recluse on Mount Olympus in Bithynia and a monk. Later, he defied the emperor and declared that sacred images would be restored to the Church. Empress Theodora did restore the icons.

St. Joannicus of Mount Olympus pray for us to have a taste of heaven through the icons in our church and home.