At the Aposticha, the stichera from the Octoechos; and, Glory…, in Tone VI—

Now & ever…: Theotokion, or this stavrotheotokion: Spec. Mel.: “Having set aside…”—

Having preserved the image of God intact, and by fasting set thy mind above the pernicious passions, thou didst mightily ascend to the Master in accordance with His likeness; for, manfully constraining thy nature, thou didst strive to subject that which is more base to that which is higher, and to enslave the flesh to the spirit. Wherefore, thou hast been revealed as a summit of monastics, a desert-dweller, an instructor of those who run the good race, a most renowned model of the virtues. And now in the heavens thou dost clearly behold the Holy Trinity, the reflections having been abolished, O Joannicius our father, and dost pray immediately for those who honor thee with faith and love.

A sword passed through thy heart, as Symeon said, O all-pure Mistress, when thou didst behold Him Who shone forth from thee at the ineffable word of the archangel uplifted upon the Cross, condemned by the iniquitous, given vinegar and gall to drink, His side pierced by a spear, His hands and feet transfixed by nails; and, lamenting, thou didst exclaim, crying out maternally: “What is this new mystery, O my Child most sweet?”