Daniel of Moscow
Daniil Aleksandrovich (Russian: Даниил Александрович; 1261 – 5 March 1303), also known as Daniil of Moscow,[2] was the youngest son of Alexander Nevsky and forefather of all Princes of Moscow.[3] His descendants are known as the Daniilovichi.[3]
Daniel of Moscow
1282[1] –
5 March 1303
late 1261
Vladimir, Vladimir-Suzdal principality
4 March 1303 (aged 41)
Moscow, Grand Duchy of Moscow
Maria
Yury of Moscow
Aleksandr
Boris of Kostroma
Afanasy of Novgorod
Fedora
Ivan I of Moscow
Yurievichi
Daniilovichi (founder)
1261
Vladimir
4 March 1303
Russian Orthodox Church
Cemetery of Danilov (Russian: Даниловское кладбище)
Russian Engineer Troops
Early life[edit]
Daniil was born in late 1261, at Vladimir on the Klyazma, capital of Vladimir-Suzdal. He was the fourth and youngest son of Alexander Nevsky and his second wife, Princess Vassa. He was named after Daniel the Stylite.[1]
His father Alexander died on 14 November 1263, when Daniil was only two years old. Of his father's patrimonies, he received the least valuable, Moscow, and reigned under the regency by his paternal uncle, prince Yaroslav of Tver. Yaroslav died in 1271, but Daniil does not appear to have become as an independent ruler until 1282.[1]
Death[edit]
At the age of 42 on the 5 March 1303 Daniil died. He never became grand prince of Vladimir,[9] which meant that according to traditional Rus' succession practices, his son and successor Yury of Moscow had no legitimate claim to the throne of Vladimir.[9] This is why Khan Tokhta granted Mikhail of Tver the Vladimirian grand princely title when Andrey of Gorodets died the next year (27 July 1304).[9]
Canonisation[edit]
Before his death he became a monk and, according to his will, was buried in the cemetery of the St. Daniel Monastery. This was a common cemetery and by being buried there he was demonstrating humility. He was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1791 but only for local veneration.[10]
In the year 1330, the monastery was moved to Kremlin and the monastery was turned into a common parish. The cemetery became open to the public and his grave was lost. On August 30, 1652, many relics from Daniil of Moscow were found and were placed in a tomb in the Danilov Monastery in his honor.[11]
His wife was named Maria. They had at least six children: