Daniel, Metropolitan of Moscow - Definition and Overview

Daniel (Даниил in Russian) (before 1492 — May 22, 1547) was Metropolitan of Moscow and all Russia in 1522-1539 and representative of the belligerent ecclesiastic cirles, interested in the alliance with the princely authority.

Daniel was a monk at Joseph-Volokolamsk Monastery and a student of Joseph Volotsky. In 1515, he was elected hegumen of the monastery, which had been under the patronage of Vasili III. When Daniel became metropolitan, he assisted Vasili III in summoning the Prince of Seversk Vasili Shemyachich to Moscow and imprisoning him. In 1525, bypassing the ecclesiastic canons, Daniel sanctioned the divorce between Vasili III and his childless wife Solomonia Saburova, which would cause a general discontent in the Muscovy. Daniel was the initiator of a number of church councils (sobors) between 1525 and 1531, which condemned the opponents of the Josephinians - Maksim Grek and Vassian Patrikeyev. While on his deathbed, Vasili III asked Daniel to take care of his wife and son. Metropolitan solemnly blessed Ivan IV in the Cathedral of the Dormition.

During the struggle between the Shuysky family and prince Ivan Belsky in 1538, Daniel supported the latter, for which he would be defrocked a year later by the Shuyskys.

Daniel was the author of a number of works, condemning heretics in Russia. Some historians believe that he was one of the compilers of the Chronicles of Nikon.