Daniel Kievsky
Encyclopedia
Daniel of Kiev, or in Russian Daniel Kievsky or Daniil Polomnik (the Pilgrim), was the first travel writer from Kievan Rus.
Some have identified him as Daniel, Bishop of Suriev, that flourished 1115 CE to 1122 CE.
The Archimandrite
Daniel journeyed to the West from the Rus monastery
where he lived as an igumen in the twelfth century. This monastery was probably near Chernihiv
in Ukraine
, in the Land of Chernihivshchyna. He began his travels in the early 12th century and was likely in Constantinople
around 1106 CE to 1108 CE. While Daniel's was not the first traveler to leave Rus, his was the first written about that there is records of. In all likelihood there were warriors, merchants, and even other pilgrims who had traveled from Kievan Rus to the outside world before the twelfth century — however none left written records that came down to the present day. Daniel was one of the first European travelers to travel long distances on foot and keep a written account of his travels ("travelog").
Daniel's journeys took him to Constantinople
by way of Cyprus
to the Holy Land
. Daniel stayed in the Jerusalem area for over a year and took various trips around Palestine. During this time he explored the Dead Sea
, Hebron
, and Damascus
. He learned much of the regions from his three major excursions to the Dead Sea and Lower Jordan (which he compares to the Snov River
), Bethlehem
and Hebron, and Damascus
. Daniel wrote his journeys in narratives he titled Puteshestive igumena Daniila and also known as Zhytiye I khodinnya Danyla, Ruskoyi zemli ihumena — Life and Pilgrimage of Danylo, Hegumen from the Land of the Russians.
Daniel's narratives begin at Constantinople. His description of the Holy Land preserves a record of conditions that are peculiarly characteristic of the time. He describes the Saracen
raiding almost up to the walls of Christian Jerusalem
and the friendly relations subsisting between Roman and Eastern churches in Syria
. Daniel visited Palestine
in the reign of Baldwin I of Jerusalem
and apparently soon after the crusader capture of Acre, Israel
(1104 CE). He claims to have accompanied Baldwin
on an expedition against Damascus (c. 1107 CE). Daniel's narratives show that Baldwin treated him with much friendliness.
Daniel's account of Jerusalem is descriptive and accurate. His observant and detailed record of Palestine is among some of the most valuable medieval documents that exists. Daniel had some knowledge of both Greek and Latin and so was able to use interpreters. He writes, It is impossible to come to know all the holy places without guides and interpreters. He writes of a holy man of great learning, well advanced in years, who had lived in Galilee for thirty years that had accompanied him in Palestine. Daniel visited about sixty places in the area, however made some major mistakes in topography and history.
Daniel's narratives are also important in the history of the Russian and Ukrainian language and in the study of ritual
and liturgy
of the time (i.e. description of the Easter services in Jerusalem and the Descent of the Holy Fire
). Daniel records that several of his friends from Kiev
and Old Novgorod were present with him at the Easter Eve "miracle" in the church of the Holy Sepulchre
.
There are seventy-six manuscripts of Daniel's narratives of which only five are before the year 1500 CE. The oldest of his narratives is dated 1475 CE of which three editions still exist in Saint Petersburg
at the Library of Ecclesiastical History.
Some have identified him as Daniel, Bishop of Suriev, that flourished 1115 CE to 1122 CE.
Travels
Archimandrite
The title Archimandrite , primarily used in the Eastern Orthodox and the Eastern Catholic churches, originally referred to a superior abbot whom a bishop appointed to supervise...
Daniel journeyed to the West from the Rus monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
where he lived as an igumen in the twelfth century. This monastery was probably near Chernihiv
Chernihiv
Chernihiv or Chernigov is a historic city in northern Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Chernihiv Oblast , as well as of the surrounding Chernihivskyi Raion within the oblast...
in Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
, in the Land of Chernihivshchyna. He began his travels in the early 12th century and was likely in Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
around 1106 CE to 1108 CE. While Daniel's was not the first traveler to leave Rus, his was the first written about that there is records of. In all likelihood there were warriors, merchants, and even other pilgrims who had traveled from Kievan Rus to the outside world before the twelfth century — however none left written records that came down to the present day. Daniel was one of the first European travelers to travel long distances on foot and keep a written account of his travels ("travelog").
Daniel's journeys took him to Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
by way of Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
to the Holy Land
Holy Land
The Holy Land is a term which in Judaism refers to the Kingdom of Israel as defined in the Tanakh. For Jews, the Land's identifiction of being Holy is defined in Judaism by its differentiation from other lands by virtue of the practice of Judaism often possible only in the Land of Israel...
. Daniel stayed in the Jerusalem area for over a year and took various trips around Palestine. During this time he explored the Dead Sea
Dead Sea
The Dead Sea , also called the Salt Sea, is a salt lake bordering Jordan to the east and Israel and the West Bank to the west. Its surface and shores are below sea level, the lowest elevation on the Earth's surface. The Dead Sea is deep, the deepest hypersaline lake in the world...
, Hebron
Hebron
Hebron , is located in the southern West Bank, south of Jerusalem. Nestled in the Judean Mountains, it lies 930 meters above sea level. It is the largest city in the West Bank and home to around 165,000 Palestinians, and over 500 Jewish settlers concentrated in and around the old quarter...
, and Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
. He learned much of the regions from his three major excursions to the Dead Sea and Lower Jordan (which he compares to the Snov River
Snov River
Snov River is a river in Bryansk Oblast in Russia and Chernihiv Oblast in Ukraine, right tributary of the Desna River . The length of the river is 253 km. The area of its drainage basin is 8,700 km². The Snov freezes up in November - late January and stays icebound until March - early April....
), Bethlehem
Bethlehem
Bethlehem is a Palestinian city in the central West Bank of the Jordan River, near Israel and approximately south of Jerusalem, with a population of about 30,000 people. It is the capital of the Bethlehem Governorate of the Palestinian National Authority and a hub of Palestinian culture and tourism...
and Hebron, and Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
. Daniel wrote his journeys in narratives he titled Puteshestive igumena Daniila and also known as Zhytiye I khodinnya Danyla, Ruskoyi zemli ihumena — Life and Pilgrimage of Danylo, Hegumen from the Land of the Russians.
Daniel's narratives begin at Constantinople. His description of the Holy Land preserves a record of conditions that are peculiarly characteristic of the time. He describes the Saracen
Saracen
Saracen was a term used by the ancient Romans to refer to a people who lived in desert areas in and around the Roman province of Arabia, and who were distinguished from Arabs. In Europe during the Middle Ages the term was expanded to include Arabs, and then all who professed the religion of Islam...
raiding almost up to the walls of Christian Jerusalem
Kingdom of Jerusalem
The Kingdom of Jerusalem was a Catholic kingdom established in the Levant in 1099 after the First Crusade. The kingdom lasted nearly two hundred years, from 1099 until 1291 when the last remaining possession, Acre, was destroyed by the Mamluks, but its history is divided into two distinct periods....
and the friendly relations subsisting between Roman and Eastern churches in Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
. Daniel visited Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
in the reign of Baldwin I of Jerusalem
Baldwin I of Jerusalem
Baldwin I of Jerusalem, formerly Baldwin I of Edessa, born Baldwin of Boulogne , 1058? – 2 April 1118, was one of the leaders of the First Crusade, who became the first Count of Edessa and then the second ruler and first titled King of Jerusalem...
and apparently soon after the crusader capture of Acre, Israel
Acre, Israel
Acre , is a city in the Western Galilee region of northern Israel at the northern extremity of Haifa Bay. Acre is one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the country....
(1104 CE). He claims to have accompanied Baldwin
Baldwin
- United States of America :* Baldwin, Florida* Baldwin, Georgia* Baldwin, Illinois* Baldwin, Iowa* Baldwin, Louisiana* Baldwin, Maine* Baldwin, Maryland* Baldwin, Michigan* Baldwin, Chemung County, New York* Baldwin, Nassau County, New York...
on an expedition against Damascus (c. 1107 CE). Daniel's narratives show that Baldwin treated him with much friendliness.
Daniel's account of Jerusalem is descriptive and accurate. His observant and detailed record of Palestine is among some of the most valuable medieval documents that exists. Daniel had some knowledge of both Greek and Latin and so was able to use interpreters. He writes, It is impossible to come to know all the holy places without guides and interpreters. He writes of a holy man of great learning, well advanced in years, who had lived in Galilee for thirty years that had accompanied him in Palestine. Daniel visited about sixty places in the area, however made some major mistakes in topography and history.
Daniel's narratives are also important in the history of the Russian and Ukrainian language and in the study of ritual
Ritual
A ritual is a set of actions, performed mainly for their symbolic value. It may be prescribed by a religion or by the traditions of a community. The term usually excludes actions which are arbitrarily chosen by the performers....
and liturgy
Liturgy
Liturgy is either the customary public worship done by a specific religious group, according to its particular traditions or a more precise term that distinguishes between those religious groups who believe their ritual requires the "people" to do the "work" of responding to the priest, and those...
of the time (i.e. description of the Easter services in Jerusalem and the Descent of the Holy Fire
Holy Fire
The Holy Fire is described by Orthodox Christians as a miracle that occurs every year at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on Holy Saturday, the day preceding Orthodox Easter. It is considered by many to be the longest-attested annual miracle in the Christian world...
). Daniel records that several of his friends from Kiev
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
and Old Novgorod were present with him at the Easter Eve "miracle" in the church of the Holy Sepulchre
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, also called the Church of the Resurrection by Eastern Christians, is a church within the walled Old City of Jerusalem. It is a few steps away from the Muristan....
.
There are seventy-six manuscripts of Daniel's narratives of which only five are before the year 1500 CE. The oldest of his narratives is dated 1475 CE of which three editions still exist in Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
at the Library of Ecclesiastical History.
External links
- Danylo, the Ukrainian 12th-century pilgrim with details and map of his travels.
- C.W. Wilson's edition from Colorado State University