Daniel of Katounakia

Daniel of Katounakia, a hieromonk, came from Frenelli near Kydonies in Asia Minor and reached the Holy Mountain about 1900, after working for a time in Cairo, Egypt, near his uncles. He submitted to the virtuous Elder Daniel of Smyrna (d. 1929), in the hesychasterion of the venerable Athonite Fathers, the Danielaioi, at Katounakia. Here he was tonsured a monk, ordained deacon and priest and made a confessor.

He was distinguished by simplicity of manner, decorum of conduct, goodness and complete guilelessness. He benefited all who approached him, even by his modesty, his good conduct and his kindness alone. He had the gift of a beautiful voice and was an excellent chanter. Above all he had the humility that exalts, blessed goodness and simplicity, and so he became a virtuous monk, a devout priest and a loving confessor. He reposed in the month of the Mother of God, whom he loved exceedingly, on 13 August 1951, after an illness of a few days. His death grieved many. His whole life flowed "in spirit and truth." He worked with all his spiritual strength for his neighbour's good. His end was holy: he departed from present vanity calmly and undisturbed, speaking to and blessing the dear members of his company, and gave up his spirit to his Maker in prayer. He was, by common testimony, a worthy successor of his great namesake elder. At his funeral, on 14 August 1951, shortly before the great vigil of the Dormition, crowds of hieromonks, hierodeacons and monks came spontaneously to pray for the soul of the beloved and venerable elder, among them the superior of the Great Lavra, the physician Father Paul (d. 1980). He is venerated by the faithful, without synodal canonization.