Daniel

Saint Daniel of Padua is venerated as the deacon of Saint Prosdocimus, the first bishop of Padua, and as a martyr. According to tradition he was of Jewish descent and helped Prosdocimus in his mission to spread the faith in northeastern Italy. His death is dated to 168, but another account says that he suffered under Diocletian: he was dragged by a horse and his body crushed, or nailed to a table.

His existence had been forgotten until his remains were found in the oratory of Saint Prosdocimus: a Roman sarcophagus of Carrara marble with a body pierced by nails and the inscription "Here rests the body of Daniel, martyr and Levite"; Levite is the traditional name of a deacon. The relics were moved on 3 January 1064 into the cathedral of Padua, where they lie in the basilica of Santa Maria Assunta. He is one of the patrons of Padua, together with Saint Anthony, Saint Prosdocimus and Saint Justina. He is invoked by women whose husbands are at war and, like Anthony, to find lost things. In icons he is shown as a deacon, with a towel and basin. His feast is on 3 January, by the Western calendar.