Saint Daniel Silk Screen Icon – Gold & Engraved Wood

Description

Saint Daniel, also known as the Holy and Right Believing Daniel of Moscow, was a Russian Grand Prince in the late thirteenth century. Saint Daniel was born in 1261 and was Prince Alexander Nevsky’s youngest son; his mother was Princess Vassa. Following his fathers death, Saint Daniel inherited rule over the principality of Moscow, which was the poorest of Prince Alexander’s principalities. However, this did not discourage Saint Daniel and over the following thirty years he ruled over Moscow, the principality became amongst the most powerful in Russia.

Under his rule, Saint Daniel promoted ideals of peace and piety. He protected his people through these values during the Tatar domination and managed to abstain from combat for the entirety of his reign, except for once when the Prince of Ryazan attempted to capture the principality of Moscow. Saint Daniel captured the prince, treating him with the kindness he preached to his people, leading to the signing of an armistice and victory for Moscow. Later, in 1296, Saint Daniel was proclaimed the Grand Prince of all of Russia due his the immense love and respect his people shared for him. Saint Daniel also played a role in the expansion of Christianity in the region, opening the first monastery in Moscow. Today the monastery is known as the Monastery of Saint Daniel. Before his untimely death at the age of 42, Saint Daniel became a monk so that he may be buried at the monastery when he died.

Saint Daniel is amongst the most popular Russian Orthodox saints and is depicted holding a church, which symbolizes the church he built. This church was dedicated to Saint Demetrius and was the first of its kind built in Moscow. Saint Daniel is commemorated on both March 17 and September 12 in the Russian Orthodox Church.