The Holy Prince Daniel of Moscow was born in 1261 and was the fourth son of the holy Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky. In his life, the holy Prince Daniel was distinguished by piety, meekness and peacefulness. During all the days of his life, no one harmed his power, and he himself did not attempt to acquire other people's territories by force, thanking God for the blessed inheritance given to him by lot — the power of the glorious city of Moscow. Since the time of Blessed Prince Daniel, the honor and glory of the first reign and primacy began to approach the God-loving city of Moscow. In 1302, the Moscow Principality increased due to the peaceful annexation of the Principality of Pereyaslav.

However, the holy prince did not delight in the love of power, but, being protected by the fear of God, he succeeded in brotherly love. Ruling godfully within the Moscow borders, Holy Prince Daniel built a monastery beyond the Moskva River, which became known by his name Danilovsky. In this monastery, the prince himself took monastic tonsure. Having accepted the schema, the holy prince peacefully departed to the Lord on March 4, 1303, at the age of 42. On August 30, 1652, his relics were found incorruptible.