Saint Daniel The Stylite

Biography

Saint Daniel The Stylite, also known as Daniel of Constantinople, was a renowned pillar-dwelling hermit and spiritual guide who lived during the 5th century. Born in 409 in Maratha, Syria, Daniel entered the monastic life at a very young age, joining the monastery at Samosata on the Upper Euphrates River when he was only twelve years old. While residing in Samosata, Daniel's piety and spiritual wisdom quickly became evident to his fellow monks, and they elected him as their abbot. However, despite their wishes, Daniel humbly declined the position, preferring to focus on his personal spiritual growth and seeking further wisdom from other revered saints. Driven by a desire to emulate the ascetic lifestyle of Saint Simeon Stylites the Elder, Daniel embarked on two separate journeys to learn from him. During his visits, he received the blessing of Saint Simeon, an influential and revered figure known for his extreme ascetic practices of living atop a pillar. Inspired by this encounter, Daniel felt a divine calling to follow in Saint Simeon's footsteps and become a pillar-dwelling hermit. Taking this path, Daniel left behind his aspirations of becoming a pilgrim to the Holy Lands and instead journeyed to the majestic city of Constantinople, where he would spend the remainder of his life. At the age of 42, he began his ascetic vocation and, with the support of Emperor Leo I and other generous benefactors, he was provided a series of pillars to dwell upon. Living exposed to the elements, Daniel would stand atop his designated pillar each day until exhaustion overcame him. This intense spiritual practice earned him a reputation as a holy man, and people from far and wide came to seek his guidance, listen to his preaching, partake in Mass, receive spiritual counseling, and even witness miraculous healings. Ordained by Saint Gennadius, Daniel's wisdom and counsel extended beyond the spiritual realm. He became a trusted advisor to Emperor Leo, Emperor Zeno, and the Patriarch of Constantinople. Moreover, he possessed an extraordinary gift of prophecy, accurately foretelling political turmoil and events involving Emperor Zeno. Throughout his solitary existence on the pillar, Daniel only descended once. In a display of his passionate commitment to his beliefs, he confronted Emperor Baliscus, urging him to abandon the heresy of Monophysitism and return to orthodox Christian teachings. Daniel's earthly journey came to an end in 493 near Constantinople, as he predicted. During his final days, he experienced visions of angels, signaling the approach of his heavenly reward. His passing, at the age of 84, was marked by a profound sense of peace and the assurance of his union with the Divine. Recognizing his exceptional holiness and the impact of his spiritual legacy, Saint Daniel The Stylite was venerated and canonized by the Catholic Church. Although he is not associated with a particular patronage, his life continues to inspire those seeking a deeper connection with God and a life of profound spiritual devotion. Saint Daniel's feast day is celebrated on December 11th, commemorating the day of his birth into eternal life.