Righteous Daniel of Achinsk (Siberia)

Righteous Daniel, born Danila Kornilovich Delie, was born on December 23, 1784. He served as a soldier and took part in the Patriotic War of 1812. After his military service he chose a path of strict asceticism, settling in Siberia within the town of Achinsk in Yenisei province. He led a severe ascetic life, prayed much, and acquired the gift of spiritual discernment and comfort for those who came to him for advice. The first biography of the elder was compiled by the schema-hegumen Parthenius (Ageev) — "An Account of the Life and Labors in God of the Departed Elder Daniel, Who Labored in the Siberian Land, in Yenisei Province, within the Bounds of the City of Achinsk," published in 1855. Righteous Daniel died on April 15, 1843, in the Yeniseisk Nativity Convent. Pilgrims continued for many years to visit his grave for help and comfort, but in 1920, by order of the atheist authorities, the elder's relics were exhumed and put on public display, and the chapel over the grave was demolished. In 1999, Righteous Daniel of Achinsk was glorified among the locally venerated saints of the Krasnoyarsk-Yenisei diocese. His memory is kept on April 15/28.