Balan Ioannikios

Hieromonk Ioannikios Balan (1930-2007) was born and lived in Romania. He entered the ranks of monasticism at the age of 19 (1949) and since then served the Romanian Church in many positions. He produced a multifaceted written work (theology, hagiology, history, etc.), while with his speeches and sermons he developed a rich pastoral activity. In 1990 he retired to the Monastery of his penitence (Sikhastria Monastery) and engaged more intensively in the study of Romanian monasticism and its history. He became personally acquainted with and spiritually connected with many of the sacred figures of the places of departure of his homeland, and composed valuable works-testimonies about them.