|
ST. JOANNICIUS, ABBOT
THIS saint, by holy penance after a dissolute
youth, arrived at so eminent a degree of sanctity, as to be ranked by
the Greek church amongst the most illustrious saints of the monastic
order. He was a native of Bithynia, and a hog-driver; afterwards he
rode in the guards of Constantine Copronymus, or at least of his son
and successor Leo IV., surnamed Chazares, and was distinguished by a
robust constitution, big stature, intrepid courage, and many military
exploits, but was carried away with the torrent of the times, and
became a violent persecutor of holy images. By the conversation of a
holy monk in the reign of the Catholic empress Irene, he was
reclaimed from his error and dissolute life, and, touched with
compunction, spent his time in tears, fasting, and prayer for six
years, during which he continued in the army. These sentiments making
every day deeper wounds in his heart, at forty years of age he
quitted the service, and retiring to Mount Olympus in Bithynia, near
Prusa, lived in several monasteries till he had learned to read, and
to recite the psalter by heart, and had instructed and exercised
himself in all the duties of a monastic life. His prayer was
continual; and he had always a devout aspiration in his mouth, which
he called the seasoning of his heart. He afterwards led an eremitical
life for twelve years: then took the religious habit in the monastery
of Ereste, and became famous over all the East for the gifts of
miracles and prophecy, and for his heavenly prudence in directing
others in the paths of perfect virtue. He zealously defended the use
which the church makes of holy images, in the persecuting reigns of
Leo the Armenian, and Theophilus; and had a share in the triumph of
the truth, when the pious empress Theodora restored holy images. In
his old age he built himself a cell near his monastery on mount
Antides, and in this retirement prepared himself for his passage to
eternity, which happened in 845. Three days before his death he
received a visit from the patriarch St. Methodias. Some make him a
hundred and sixteen years old at his death; others ninety-four, and
others only eighty-one. See his life in Surius, which Baronius and
Baillet ascribe to Metaphrastes; but Pagi to some anonymous author.
Papebroke (in Ephrem. Gr. Mosch.) promises more authentic memoirs of
this saint from Sabas and Peter, both monks of his community. See
Lambecius, t. 8, p. 266.
|