Ioannikios the Cypriot, Archimandrite († 1871)
Ioannikios came from Pedoula of Cyprus and studied at the School of Kydonia. As a monk of Vatopaidi Monastery he served for many years as Chief Secretary of the Athonite Holy Community (Iera Koinotis) during the years of the Greek Revolution of 1821. Having been ordained as archimandrite in 1846, he was sent by the Monastery to Kisnovio in Bessarabia as exarch of the Vatopaidi metochia there for twelve years, following the death of the Metropolitan of Irenopolis, Grigorios. Afterwards he returned to Vatopaidi Monastery, which he directed and guided with great prudence as its chief overseer. With his own funds he decorated the portico at the entrance of the Monastery with wall-paintings in 1858, which includes images of the wise men of ancient times. He died in 1871 at the age of 80. He loved literature and helped to create a peer instruction school in his birthplace of Pedoula. He contributed substantially to the reconstruction of the Pan-Cypriot Middle School in Lefkosia and was proclaimed as a great benefactor by the school board. Items of his, such as crosses for the blessing of holy water, icons, and books, are preserved in the Monastery’s sacristy.