Born in the village of Vitari, near Samosata, in Mesopotamia. His barren mother prayed to God for him. At the age of 12, he became a monk. He visited Saint Simeon the Stylite, who blessed him. Desiring solitude, the monk Daniel left the monastery and went to a neglected idolatrous sanctuary on the Black Sea coast. There he suffered many attacks from demons, but he overcame them with patience, prayer, and the sign of the cross. Then he climbed a pillar, where he remained until the end of his earthly life. Many disciples gathered around his pillar. God rewarded him with miracles and insight even in this life. Emperors and patriarchs came to him, as did the common people. He gave up his soul to the Lord in 489, having lived 80 years.

Venerable Luke the Stylite. Venerable Nikon the Dry. Holy Martyr Mirax. Theophilus, Bishop of Antioch. Christmas Fast.