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Saint Daniel Katunakiotistranslated

September 7, 2026 · 1 min read

The holy memory of Saint Daniel of Katunakiotis is honored today by our Church. Elder Daniel the Smyrnaean was a holy stem and fragrant flower of the martyred land of Ionia. Many smelled his fragrance when he was transplanted to the Orchard of Panagia, and the fruits of his virtues as well. Saint Daniel the Katunakiotis was born in Smyrna in 1844, grew up in a large family of pious parents and was the youngest son bearing the name Dimitrios. He was an honors graduate of the Evangelical School of Smyrna. From the age of 19 he had the pious desire to devote himself to monasticism. In the beginning, following the advice of his holy priest, he visited various monasteries in the Peloponnese and the islands, such as Hydra, Tinos, Paros and Ikaria, where he met famous holy elders.

After a pilgrimage to the monasteries and churches of the Peloponnese and the Aegean islands and the exhortation of Saint Arsenios (1800-1877) in Paros, he entered the Athos monastery of Agios Panteleimonos.

In the book of the Monk Moses Agioreitis, "Great Eldership of virtuous Agiorites of the Twentieth Century", Mygdonia publications, we read:

"His trial is characterized by constant and willing obedience. …

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سمير خوري

Saint Daniel of Smyrna was born in 1844, as the article said. I heard about him once from our father in church when he was talking about the monks who moved from Asia Minor to the Holy Mountain. That means, even after he visited Hydra, Tinos, and Paros, he chose to go to the Monastery of Saint Panteleimon. This reminds me that true obedience begins with a small step, as he did.

نقولا صايغ

Yes, Samir, I also heard from our father about the monks who came from Asia Minor, and he used to say that Daniel did not limit himself to visits to Hydra, Tinos, and Paros, but rather continued searching until he reached the monastery of Saint Panteleimon. For him, obedience really began with a small daily step, as a baker does when he kneads dough every morning without laziness. Do you remember any particular story our father told about him?

أنطون حداد

Yes, Nicola, I agree with you that obedience to righteous Daniel began with small daily steps, like a baker who kneads without being lazy. I heard from our father that after entering the Monastery of Agiou Panteleimonos, he continued to serve in the mill for many months before he was allowed to live in Katonicia. Do you remember when our father mentioned something about his relationship with old Arsenios in Paros?

Ioana Stoica

Yes, I also read in Father Moses' book that he showed continuous and willing obedience. I wonder how, after visiting so many monasteries in the Peloponnese and the islands, he still chose Mount Athos and the monastery of Saint Pantelimon. Good thing it ended up in Katounakia, where it really bore fruit.