Kontakion 1
Chosen vessel of God and lampstand of the Unapprochable Light you have shown yourself to the world, Holy Prophet Daniel, having been enabled by your holy life to prophesy the things to come. For this, as an icon of the divine mysteries and organ of the Holy Spirit, we honor you, singing: Alleluia!
Ikos 1
Born of royal lineage in Vitora above, you were taken as a slave in your childhood from Judea to Babylon with Jehoiakim king of Judea. And the gift of God was poured into your heart from a young age. By your wonderful judgment you delivered Jehoiakim’s wife, the pure Suzanah, from death at the hands of the unjust and unfaithful judges. For this we cry to you:
Rejoice, thou overflowing dawn of wisdom;
Rejoice, thou from infancy honored by the elders;
Rejoice, thou knower of hidden things;
Rejoice, thou balance of divine justice;
Rejoice, thou stretched out bow of God’s right hand;
Rejoice, bearer of heavenly light;
Rejoice, pillar of virginity and all wisdom;
Rejoice, thou swift helper of those who trust in the Lord;
Rejoice, that his law has been revealed in your living heart;
Rejoice, O lamp that dispels the darkness of ignorance;
Rejoice, for thou uncoverest and shamest all wicked counsel;
Rejoice, thou flame of the Spirit that burnest the servants of the passions;
Rejoice, Holy Prophet Daniel, thou made wise by God!
Kontakion 2
Beautiful in appearance and skilful in all wisdom, knowledgeable in all knowledge, with deep insight and full of zeal, you were chosen to serve in the palace of the king of Babylon, along with the three young men, Ananias, Azariah and Mishail. And you, like them, guarding the purity of your life and faith, served the Lord with all your heart, to whom you sang unceasingly, ” Alleluia!
Ikos 2
The beauty that springs from the love of God shone on your face and on the faces of the three young Saints, Holy Prophet Daniel, when with the fast of a nourishing soul you overwhelmed the young men eating at the King’s table. For after ten days looking more beautiful and fat in body than these, the head of the families permitted you to keep yourselves in the blessed law.
Rejoice, flower of fasting and pure prayer;
Rejoice, you valiant self-denial for the glory of God;
Rejoice, steadfast faithfulness in His Word;
Rejoice, worship, flight of heart to heaven;
Rejoice, heart wrapped in divine longing;
Rejoice, unveiled crown;
Rejoice, for choosing the narrow way, you have clothed yourself with power from above;
Rejoice, you delight in spiritual food;
Rejoice, thou fulfilment of God’s will;
Rejoice, victory over lust and insanity;
Rejoice, deliverance from their terrible bondage;
Rejoice, strength of faith and hope in God;
Rejoice, Holy Prophet Daniel, thou made wise by God!
Kontakion 3
The blessing of God was poured out upon you and the three young men, for He gave you knowledge and skill in all writing, as well as abundance of wisdom, and you, Holy Prophet Daniel, were able to interpret visions and dreams in the light of the Holy Spirit, in Whom you sang: Alleluia!
Ikos 3
No one did the king find wiser than you and Ananias, Azariah and Mishail. In all the questions on which he asked for guidance, when it came to wisdom and skill, he found you ten times smarter than the magicians and soothsayers in the whole kingdom.
Rejoice, thou mind filled with the power of the Spirit;
Rejoice, thou flourishing meadow of wisdom;
Rejoice, thou treasury of God;
Rejoice, high place of the knowledge of God;
Rejoice, thou deep of humility;
Rejoice, fountain of ever-flowing grace;
Rejoice, the height of human wisdom;
Rejoice, shame of false wisdom;
Rejoice, word equally bright with wondrous life;
Rejoice, thou speedy helper in the straightening of lives;
Rejoice, lever of wisdom that overcomes error;
Rejoice, spiritual guide in the labyrinth of passions;
Rejoice, Holy Prophet Daniel, thou made wise by God!
Kontakion 4
A dream troubled the spirit of King Nebuchadnezzar, so that he commanded all the wise men to perish, unless they told him the dream and its interpretation. All the sign-tellers and pagan sorcerers were left as speechless fishes, only you, Holy Prophet Daniel, boldly asked for time to reveal the mystery. And having told your friends Ananias, Azariah and Mishail, you earnestly prayed for God’s mercy and sang together: Alleluia!
Ikos 4
Then the mystery was revealed to you, Holy One, in a vision of the night, and you praised the Almighty. Thou didst see the Blessed, Pure Virgin from whom was cut, not by hand, the Stone at the head of the corner, Christ God. And behold, the stone crushed the image with the head of gold, the breast and arms of silver, the belly and thighs of brass, the feet one part of iron and the other of clay, the image of deceit hidden in the flow of the temporal. And the stone that became a high mountain and filled the earth, you have made clear as the coming of the Kingdom of God. Rejoice, herald of the Incarnation of Christ;
Rejoice that you have foretold the birth of God from the Virgin;
Rejoice, word-painter of the divine mysteries;
Rejoice, O beacon who unveils the thoughts of the heart;
Rejoice, thou stone of the knowledge of God;
Rejoice, thou sight of those above the word;
Rejoice, pen of the Spirit, who writes with skill;
Rejoice, you who nourish the Church with heavenly bread;
Rejoice, son and heir of the Kingdom;
Rejoice, beauty of the righteous honor of God;
Rejoice, thou ripe grape that bringest forth the wine of immortality;
Rejoice, thou guide in secret things;
Rejoice, Holy Prophet Daniel, thou made wise by God!
Kontakion 5
The emperor fell on his face and bowed down before you, Holy Prophet Daniel,
and confessed that your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings, the Revealer of mysteries, the One to whom it is fitting to sing the holy hymn: ” Alleluia!
Ikos 5
Neither you nor the three young men who, having been accused, were thrown into the fire for confessing the right faith, worshipped the golden image made by the king. But the fire turned to dew at the coming of the Son of God, at whose sight
you rejoiced in spirit, praising and blessing him.
Rejoice, most holy confessor;
Rejoice, thou perfecter of the faith;
Rejoice, infused icon with Grace;
Rejoice, thou skilful helmsman of the powers of the soul;
Rejoice, thou guide us to the shore of repentance;
Rejoice, cup of wisdom and love of God;
Rejoice, that thou givest it to us who thirst;
Rejoice, burning bush of God’s grace;
Rejoice that the coming of Christ has quenched the veil of sin with the dew of eternity;
Rejoice, thou scatterer of vanity of the world’s glory;
Rejoice, olive branch borne by the dove of the Spirit;
Rejoice, O prayer for deliverance from the furnace of temptation;
Rejoice, Holy Prophet Daniel, thou made wise by God!
Kontakion 6
Thou hast prophesied to Nebuchadnezzar, O holy Daniel, that he should be driven from among men, and dwell among the beasts of the field, and be like them seven years, until he should know that the Most High hath dominion over the kingdoms. And the king, not having redeemed his sins by deeds of justice and mercy, the prophecy was fulfilled to the letter. After this time, his mind came back to him and he went up again to the sanctuary, offering blessing, praise and worship to the Lord and singing: ” Alleluia!
Ikos 6
King Balthazar dishonored the holy vessels taken from the temple of Jerusalem and worshipped the foolish idols. Then the fingers of a man’s hand appeared to him, writing before the candlestick on the palace wall. Disturbed in spirit, and as none of his wise men could read the writing, nor make known its meaning, he asked you. And you prophesied to him the speedy end of himself and of the kingdom, for the pride of his heart, though he knew what God had done with his father Nebuchadnezzar.
Rejoice, O chastisement of those who trust proudly in their own power;
Rejoice, golden chain of obedience to God;
Rejoice, that thou spreadest to us the garment of humility;
Rejoice, thou boldness of prayer;
Rejoice, call to justice and mercy;
Rejoice, thou light out of the hardness of spirit;
Rejoice, lift up your eyes to heaven with the gift of the Lord;
Rejoice, thou hast made thy mind the house of passionlessness;
Rejoice, blessedness of God’s long-suffering;
Rejoice, healing rain of pure prayer;
Rejoice, sword in the hand of the Word of God;
Rejoice, Holy Prophet Daniel, thou made wise by God!
Kontakion 7
In the time of Darius the Mede, on the advice of the pious rulers, a foolish command was given that anyone who prayed for thirty days to any god or man but the king should be thrown into the lion’s den. But you, Holy Prophet, before the open window towards Jerusalem, every day you knelt three times, prayed and praised God as before, incessantly chanting: Alleluia!
Ikos 7
The governors, finding good reason, compelled Darius, at last because he did not want to lose you, Holy One, and you were thrown into the den of lions, which the king sealed, hoping that the God whom you worshipped and served would deliver you. And in the morning he ran to the pit and found you unharmed, for the angel of the Lord had sealed the lions’ mouths. Then the king, rejoicing, confessed in writing to all nations the almighty power and eternal glory of the living God in heaven and on earth.
Rejoice, pure sacrifice to God;
Rejoice, heart made an altar;
Rejoice, unceasing remembrance of the Lord;
Rejoice, that by your thrice kneeling you show forth the right glorification of the Holy Trinity;
Rejoice, turn of the mind to the Risen One;
Rejoice, deliverance from the pit of sins;
Rejoice, that you shut the mouths of unseen enemies who would tear us apart;
Rejoice, shepherd of lions and joint inhabitant with angels;
Rejoice, thou fortified city of the Spirit;
Rejoice, thou fountain of the holy love of God;
Rejoice, good news of the glory of God;
Rejoice, thou river of wondrous healings;
Rejoice, Holy Prophet Daniel, thou made wise by God!
Kontakion 8
A fearful vision appeared to you, Holy Prophet Daniel, in Babylon, of the kingdoms that were to be, imagined by beasts, then of the Antichrist, the end of the ages and the fearful judgment. Thus hast thou been enabled to behold the Ancient of Days sitting on the throne of greatness, in garments white as snow, the hair of His head pure as wool, His throne flames of fire, His wheels burning fire. A river of fire poured out and came forth from Him; thousands of thousands served Him, and myriads of myriads stood before Him singing: Alleluia!
Ikos 8
The Supreme and Righteous Judge sat down, and the books were opened, and the beast with the blasphemous mouth, which had been given power to oppress the saints of God, desiring to change the holy feasts and commandments, was slain, and its body was cast into the fire. And behold, in the clouds of heaven came One like the Son of Man, to whom was given by the Father the dominion and the glory and the kingdom for ever and ever.
Rejoice, treasure of spiritual awakening;
Rejoice, that you show us the fear of God as the beginning of wisdom;
Rejoice that its end is love and suffering for Him;
Rejoice, thou fountain of healing of hidden passions;
Rejoice, love as clear as gold in a melting pot;
Rejoice, forerunner of hidden mysteries;
Rejoice, helper in unseen war;
Rejoice, flower of the Tree of Life;
Rejoice, that thou hast drunk of the living water of the knowledge of God;
Rejoice that thou hast known that the Father and the Son are one;
Rejoice, pure mirror of the Spirit;
Rejoice, trumpet of the love of the Holy Trinity;
Rejoice, Holy Prophet Daniel, thou made wise by God!
Kontakion 9
Saint Archangel Gabriel has interpreted to you two other frightening visions about the mysteries of salvation and the wrath of God to come. The coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the sufferings of the blameless One, the sealing of the prophecy and the fulfillment of the Law, the destruction of the Temple and the gifts of grace above the mind, the coming of Antichrist in the time of the consummation of sins, the transgression of the holy and true and the war he will make on the saints, how
in time of peace he will strike down many chosen ones and will be destroyed not
by human hands. For these, with fear and trembling we worship God, chanting: Alleluia!
Ikos 9
He Himself who had the form of the Son of Man gave you strength to endure the brightness of His glory. He has revealed to you how the scoffer of the holy will be given power to put the abomination of desolation in place of the daily sacrifice, persecuting, killing or deceiving many of the elect so that they may be discerned, cleansed and made white until the end of time. Then shall his terrible end come, when the great prince Michael shall appear, and there shall be great distress, but the righteous and faithful people shall be saved. And those who sleep in the dust of the earth will rise, some to eternal life, others to shame and eternal suffering. And the wise will shine like the brightness of heaven, and those who have guided many in the path of righteousness will be like the stars forever and ever.
Rejoice, O light of the Church, who dispels the darkness of deceit;
Rejoice, thou guardian of the heart from the vanity of sin;
Rejoice that we understand the proud thought as the face of the abomination of desolation;
Rejoice, thou flood of tears and worship that banishes the hypocritical mind; Rejoice, thou steadfast fasting and prayer for the Lord’s mercy;
Rejoice, healing and comfort that come from suffering for Christ;
Rejoice, bearing the cross and following Christ;
Rejoice, freedom from the snares of deceitful sin;
Rejoice, that, being warred against by passions, we seek peace from above;
Rejoice, chosen virtue in deed and word;
Rejoice, you humble minded of Christ;
Rejoice, for the most precious gift that keeps the world is the Holy Sacrifice of the Lord Jesus;
Rejoice, Holy Prophet Daniel, thou made wise by God!
Kontakion 10
The idol Bel, to which the Babylonians offered sacrifice, you have broken, seeing the deceit of the heathen priests. For by sprinkling ashes, you showed the traces of their footsteps in the temple sealed by the king, and the hidden doors were found through which they entered and ate the food on the table. Then King Cyrus knew that Bel was not alive, but clay and brass, and he marvelled at your wisdom, which came from the One to whom you had always sung: Alleluia!
Ikos 10
But even a dragon that was considered a god you killed without sword and staff, throwing lumps of resin, tallow and hair into his mouth, cooked together. By this you showed everyone that, though great and fearsome, he was only a wicked construction, not worthy of worship.
Rejoice, seal of spiritual awakening;
Rejoice that you sprinkle on our souls the ashes of repentance;
Rejoice that we see in it the traces of the unseen thieves;
Rejoice that we find those who eat the fruit of our labours;
Rejoice that you make known to us our hidden wounds;
“Rejoice that we run to Christ in faith for healing.
Rejoice that you intercede for our forgiveness;
Rejoice, praying heart, window to God’s light;
Rejoice, banishing the hidden dragon;
Rejoice that you teach us the craft of the spirit;
Rejoice, entrance into eternity through the gate of humility;
Rejoice, thou who hast understanding from above;
Rejoice, Holy Prophet Daniel, thou made wise by God!
Kontakion 11
Grieving over the loss of Bel’s priests and the dragon, the Babylonians forced the king in mortal terror to give you to them. And they threw you into a pit with seven hungry lions, and you were there seven days. And the angel of the Lord took Avacum the prophet up by his head, and led him away to Babylon in the swiftness of his spirit. And Avacum cried out: “Daniel! Daniel! Take the food that God has sent you.” And you blessed Him who does not forsake nor forget those who seek Him, chanting: ” Alleluia!
Ikos 11
You got up and ate, and the angel of the Lord took Avacum back to Judea. And on the seventh day the king came to mourn for you, and when he saw you sitting, he cried out, “Great are you, O Lord, God of Daniel! And there is none besides Thee.” And he drew you out of the pit, and those who would have killed you he threw into the pit, and the lions ate them before him.
Rejoice, O brightness of the prophets;
Rejoice, you who are served by the holy angels;
Rejoice, love that seeks not its own;
Rejoice, lamb of Christ, conqueror of death;
Rejoice, shield of steadfast faith;
Rejoice, thou blessed orchard of fearlessness;
Rejoice, blessing on the despairing world;
Rejoice, thou ark of hope, that standest against the flood of temptation;
Rejoice, praise and thanksgiving for the goodness of God;
Rejoice, that thou teachest us to reign with mind over the lions of passion;
Rejoice, conscience undeceived by cunning thoughts;
Rejoice, O torch of the Spirit, who cheers the souls of the faithful;
Rejoice, Holy Prophet Daniel, thou made wise by God!
Kontakion 12
Together with Ananias, Azariah, and Mishail, you reached a ripe old age, in which you suffered the cutting off of heads by the wicked emperor Atticus. When he went to cut off Ananias’ head, Azariah spread out his coat and received it. Likewise Azariah’s received Mishail’s, and you received Mishail’s, Holy Prophet Daniel, and then they cut off your head and you sang with the angelic hosts: Alleluia!
Ikos 12
And when they had cut off your heads, they stuck to your bodies, and the angel of the Lord took your bodies and carried them to Mount Geval, and put them under
the rock. And after the resurrection of the Lord, you rose with the three young men and showed yourselves to many. Then again you fell asleep, going up to the heavenly places prepared for you by the Father.
Rejoice, rebuke of unbelief and martyrian boldness;
Rejoice, thou shattering of the snares of sin;
Rejoice, confessor of the Resurrection of Christ;
Rejoice, chosen vessel, who reveres in the world the fragrance of the Bridegroom; Rejoice, link in the golden chain of the Church;
Rejoice, icon of heavenly beauty;
Rejoice, you who are the example of the willing sufferers for the love of God; Rejoice, pure wheat in the Lord’s threshing floor;
Rejoice, heart that rests in the love of the Father for the Son;
Rejoice, thou inhabitant of heaven and the world’s vindicator;
Rejoice, thou conqueror of the old man;
Rejoice, name of worship, worthy to be remembered;
Rejoice, Holy Prophet Daniel, thou made wise by God!
Kontakion 13
O Holy Prophet Daniel, pray to God for us, to grant us tears of repentance and deliverance from the bondage of the passions, that we may know the love and freedom given by Christ. Lean into our helplessness and be our intercessor and helper, so that, as we pass through the sea of this life, the face of God’s only-begotten Son may be impressed on our faces with its radiance and beauty. And then, Holy One, may we find mercy at the Fiery Judgment, partaking of eternal life, and rejoicing with the angels chanting: Alleluia! (This kontakion is said three times.)
Ikos 1
Born of royal lineage in Vitora above, you were taken as a slave in your childhood from Judea to Babylon with Jehoiakim king of Judea. And the gift of God was poured into your heart from a young age. By your wonderful judgment you delivered Jehoiakim’s wife, the pure Suzanah, from death at the hands of the unjust and unfaithful judges. For this we cry to you:
Rejoice, thou overflowing dawn of wisdom;
Rejoice, thou from infancy honored by the elders;
Rejoice, thou knower of hidden things;
Rejoice, thou balance of divine justice;
Rejoice, thou stretched out bow of God’s right hand;
Rejoice, bearer of heavenly light;
Rejoice, pillar of virginity and all wisdom;
Rejoice, thou swift helper of those who trust in the Lord;
Rejoice, that his law has been revealed in your living heart;
Rejoice, O lamp that dispels the darkness of ignorance;
Rejoice, for thou uncoverest and shamest all wicked counsel;
Rejoice, thou flame of the Spirit that burnest the servants of the passions;
Rejoice, Holy Prophet Daniel, thou made wise by God!
Kontakion 1
Chosen vessel of God and lampstand of the Unapprochable Light you have shown yourself to the world, Holy Prophet Daniel, having been enabled by your holy life to prophesy the things to come. For this, as an icon of the divine mysteries and organ of the Holy Spirit, we honor you, singing: Alleluia!