Venerable Daniel the Stylite

Life

Daniel was born in the village of Bethara near the city of Samosata in Mesopotamia, of Christian parents, Elias and Martha. Prayed for from God by the tearful prayers of his barren mother, and as an only son consecrated to God's service from childhood. In his twelfth year he received the monastic rank, visited Simeon the Stylite and was blessed by him. Desiring solitude, Daniel left the monastery and withdrew to a certain abandoned pagan temple on the shore of the Black Sea. There he endured countless afflictions from demons, but conquered all by patience, prayer and the sign of the cross. After this he ascended a pillar, on which he remained until his death, suffering equally both scorching heat and freezing cold and attacks from people and from demons. Around his pillar gathered many disciples, and he guided them toward eternal life by his example and his words. This devoted servant God rewarded even in this life with great grace, so that he worked many miracles beneficial to people, and prophesied future events. From all sides people flocked under his pillar seeking from God's saint help and counsel. Emperors and patriarchs came to him as did common people. Emperor Leo the Great brought his guests from other lands, princes and magnates, and showed them Saint Daniel on the pillar, saying to them: Behold a wonder in my kingdom! Daniel foretold the day of his death, instructed his disciples as a father instructs his sons, and bade them farewell. Before his death the disciples saw above the pillar angels, prophets, apostles and martyrs. Having lived eighty years, this angelic man reposed in the year 489 and passed into Christ's Kingdom.

From the Hymn of Praise

When Saint Daniel was about to die,He taught his disciples thus:"My dear children, fruit of my labor,Cleave your hearts to the Living God.