The Danilov monastery is regarded as the oldest monastery in Moscow. It was founded at the end of the 13th century by the holy Prince Daniel of Moscow, the youngest son of St Alexander Nevsky, and it keeps his relics today. It is a stauropegial monastery for men, which means it answers directly to the Patriarch.

Its history has had long gaps. The monastery fell empty twice, was closed for half a century in the Soviet years and was then, in 1983, the first monastery in Moscow to be given back to the Church. Here is a short account of St Daniel's monastery, what happened to it and what a pilgrim can venerate there now.

St Daniel of Moscow, the founder

Daniel received Moscow as his share of his father's lands when it was still a small principality. According to tradition he built a wooden church on the bank of the Moskva river, dedicated to his patron saint, St Daniel the Stylite, and founded a monastery beside it. It stood on the road to the south and guarded the town from that side.

He is remembered as a peacemaker who preferred agreement to war with his neighbours and who looked after his land. Before his death he took monastic vows and, at his own wish, was buried in the brethren's cemetery among ordinary monks.

Decline and the first revival

Soon after Daniel's death his son Ivan Kalita moved the brethren into the Kremlin, and the monastery by the river was left empty. Stories say that St Daniel appeared to people and reminded them of his forgotten grave.

The monastery was restored under Ivan the Terrible. A stone church of the Holy Fathers of the Seven Ecumenical Councils was built over the founder's grave. In the 17th century the relics of St Daniel were uncovered and solemnly placed in that church, and the prince came to be honoured as a heavenly protector of Moscow.

The church of the Holy Fathers is still the oldest building in the monastery. It has two levels, with the church of the Protection of the Mother of God on the lower one. In the 19th century the Trinity cathedral, the largest church of the monastery, was built to a design by the architect Osip Bove.

Closure and return to the Church

After the revolution the Danilov monastery was closed. The brethren were dispersed, the grounds were used as a reception home for children and later as a factory, and the cemetery was destroyed. Its bells were sold abroad and spent decades at Harvard University before they came home in 2008.

In 1983 it became the first monastery in Moscow to be returned to the Church. Restoration took only a few years, and since then the monastery has served as the official residence of the Patriarch and the Holy Synod. Services are held every day, and pilgrims are welcome.

Shrines of the Danilov monastery

The chief shrine is the relics of the holy Prince Daniel of Moscow. People come to pray before them for peace in the family, for patience in work, for their children and for their city.

Other places and shrines to look for:

  • the church of the Holy Fathers of the Seven Ecumenical Councils, built over the founder's grave;
  • the Trinity cathedral, the main church of the monastery;
  • the gate church of St Simeon the Stylite;
  • a venerated copy of the Vladimir icon of the Mother of God;
  • an icon of St Spyridon of Trimythous with a particle of his relics.

Many visitors come especially to St Spyridon, asking his prayers for a home, for work and for family matters. His life and the way Orthodox Christians pray before his icon are described in our article on the St Spyridon icon.

The monastery choir is known well beyond Moscow, and many people come to the all-night vigil for the singing alone.

Feast days of St Daniel

The Church remembers St Daniel of Moscow twice a year: on 17 March, the day of his repose, and on 12 September, the day his relics were uncovered. Services in the monastery are especially solemn on these days, and the line to the relics is at its longest.

You can also pray to St Daniel at home before his icon. He is asked for peace: in the family, between relatives and neighbours, and for children growing up. Many find his life a quiet example, since he spent it building and making peace and at the end chose a place among ordinary monks.

Icons from the Danilov workshops

The Danilov workshops work at the monastery. Their icons are blessed there, and each carries the workshop certificate on the back. We keep them in a section of their own: icons of the Danilov monastery workshops.

You can see the workshop certificates on our consecration page, which also explains where every other item in the shop is blessed. A short profile of the monastery is on the Danilov monastery page.