Description

Feast Day/Commemorated: December 11

Saint Daniel was born in Maratha, a village in Upper Mesopotamia, near Samosata. He embraced the monastic life at the tender age of 12, residing in a monastery until he was thirty-eight. During a journey to Antioch with his abbot, he passed through Telanissos and received a blessing and encouragement from the renowned Simeon the Stylite. Following this encounter, Daniel visited various holy sites and convents before ultimately retreating into the ruins of a pagan temple in 451 AD, seeking a life of deeper asceticism and solitude.

Daniel later established his iconic pillar north of Constantinople. Initially, the landowner, whose consent had not been sought, appealed to Emperor Leo I and Patriarch Gennadius of Constantinople, but the emperor was mysteriously deterred from dislodging the saint. Patriarch Gennadius subsequently ordained Daniel as a priest, administering the Eucharist via a ladder, which Daniel had arranged. From his pillar, Daniel's presence became a source of healing for the faithful who came to touch it, enduring the harsh elements of rain, snow, and freezing cold.

Saint Daniel persevered on his pillar for an astonishing 33 years. His continuous standing led to his feet becoming covered with sores, cuts, and ulcers, and the severe Thracian winds often stripped him of his meager clothing. Despite these extreme hardships, he was visited by emperors, including Leo I the Thracian (accompanied by King Gubazes I of Lazica) and Emperor Zeno. As a theologian, Daniel also actively engaged in the theological debates of his time, notably coming out against the Monophysite heresy, thus serving the Church not only through his ascetic example but also through his defense of Orthodox doctrine.

About Our Icons (Print and Mounted):

Theophany Works Icons are handcrafted reproductions, made with prayer and a desire for excellence. Choose from our standard mounted option on Museum Quality Paper or you may choose to upgrade to Museum Quality Matte Canvas. Both offer a rich print with saturated coloration and are finished with our high-grade UV protection sealant offering a subtle tactile texture that gives our icons a truly authentic feel. Additionally, each Maple-shelled panel is prepared with a painted chamfered front edge as well as a round-over on the back edge to give a shadow box effect when hung on the wall. Our Icons come standard with a sliding key-hole slot on the back which allows for balanced hanging. These beautiful American-made reproductions will be a beloved addition to any home or parish at the fraction of the cost of a hand painted icon.