Prophet · 6th century BC
Daniel the Prophet
Holy Prophet Daniel
New Calendar December 17 Old Calendar December 30
Why they are a saint
Daniel the Prophet was prophet of the exile who survived the lions' den; saw visions of the kingdoms and of the Son of Man. The years given for this life are 6th century BC. The Orthodox Church reads him among the prophets of Israel and keeps his feast on the calendar.
Life
The Holy Prophet Daniel is the fourth of the major prophets. After Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians he was taken into captivity with the youths Ananias, Azarias and Misael. Chosen to be trained for the court of King Nebuchadnezzar, they refused to defile themselves with the king's food and lived on vegetables and water; God gave Daniel insight and the interpretation of dreams.
He interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dreams and the writing on the palace wall that foretold the fall of Babylon. Under the Persian king Darius he was slandered and thrown into a den of hungry lions, but they did not touch him, and Darius commanded that the God of Daniel be honoured. He interceded with King Cyrus, who freed the Israelites, and he died in old age in captivity. He is also commemorated on the Sundays of the Holy Forefathers and of the Holy Fathers.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Daniel the Prophet as a patron when they bear the name Daniel at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on December 17. As a prophet, he is also honored by those who seek to hear and keep God's word.
Prayer
O holy Daniel the Prophet, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.
Do not confuse with Prince Daniel of Moscow; Daniel the Stylite.