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 Orthodox Christian icon reproductions made in the United States with prayer and a desire for excellence. Each of our icons are printed on museum-quality matte canvas, providing a rich print with saturated coloration that lends to a beautiful handwritten-icon appearance.

All Theophany Works Icons are mounted on beveled wooden boards and finished with a high-quality UV protection sealant. This offers a subtle authentic-feeling texture while also enhancing durability, allowing for cleaning with a damp cloth. Additionally, each icon is given a maple-shelled keyhole slot on its back for easy and balanced hanging.

Our beautiful icon reproductions are lovingly made in our Lancaster, Pennsylvania studio. We pray they are a blessing to all who receive them, and we believe they will be a beloved addition to any home or parish—each at a fraction of the cost of a hand-painted icon.

***Our Beloved Brothers & Sisters in Christ: Please allow 3 weeks for production as each icon is made to order. If an icon is needed sooner for a baptism, chrismation, wedding, or name day, please contact us—we will always do our very best to accommodate your request.

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