In the world — Dimitri, was born about 1460 in the city of Pereyaslavl Zalessky from pious parents. From a young age, he discovered his love of asceticism and imitated the exploits of St. Simeon Stylites (commemoration of September 1/14). The boy was sent for upbringing to the Nikitsky monastery to his relative Abbot Jonah, where he fell in love with monastic life and decided to become a monk himself. Fearing that his parents would not interfere with the fulfillment of his intention, he, along with his brother Gerasim, secretly went to the monastery of St. Paphnutius Borovsky (memory of May 1/14). Here, having taken monastic vows, the Monk Daniel lived for 10 years under the guidance of the experienced elder St. Leucius.
Having gained experience in spiritual life, the monk returned to Pereyaslavl to the Goritsky Monastery, where he accepted the priesthood. By the strict, God-pleasing life and the tireless labors of St. Daniel attracted universal attention; many people began to come to him for confession and spiritual advice. No one left St. Daniel's comforted.
A special ascetic manifestation of love for one's neighbors was the care of the monk for the deceased beggars, homeless and rootless people. If he heard about any person who died from robbers, drowned, or frozen on the road, who had no one to bury, he tried in every possible way to find the dead body, carried it in his arms to the skudelnitsa (the burial place of the homeless), buried it, and then commemorated at the Divine Liturgy.
On the site of the poorhouse, the saint built a temple in honor of All saints, so that a prayer for the repose of Christians who died unknown would be offered in it. Around him, several monks built themselves cells, forming a small monastery, where in 1525 the Monk Daniel became abbot. One of the main commandments, which was taught by the new abbot, called for accepting all wanderers, the poor and the poor. He admonished the brethren and guided them to the path of truth, not by force, but by meekness and love, setting an example of pure life and deep humility to all.
Many miracles were performed through the prayers of St. Daniel: he turned water into healing kvass, healed the brethren from diseases; delivered them from dangers. During the famine, when there was little bread left in the monastery granary, he gave it to a poor widow with children. And since then, as a reward for the mercy of the monk, the flour in the granary has not been impoverished during the entire famine.
Even during the life of the monk, his authority was so high that, at his request, Grand Duke Vasily III released those sentenced to death and twice asked him to be a recipient at the baptism of his children.
Anticipating the approach of death, the Monk Daniel accepted the great schema. The blessed elder passed away at the 81st year of his life, on April 7, 1540. His incorruptible relics were found in 1625. The Lord glorified His saint with numerous miracles.