Tomb of St. Daniel, Samarkand

The Tomb of St. Daniel in Samarkand is one of the few places in the world where the tomb of a saint revered by three major religions - Islam, Christianity and Judaism - can be found. Every year, tens of thousands of pilgrims from different countries visit the site. The tomb is located near the ancient settlement of Afrasiab and its museum. - The tomb is located near the ancient settlement of Afrasiab and its museum.

The Legend of St. Daniel

St. Daniel was born in Jerusalem in the 7th century BC to a noble family. After Jerusalem was captured by the Babylonian Emperor, Daniel was taken prisoner, but was soon selected for training in palace service. Daniel quickly gained fame in the royal court as an interpreter of dreams and became close to the ruler. At the same time, he demonstrated his strong Christian faith.

However, other high-ranking nobles became jealous of the young foreigner's rapid rise and slandered him. As a result, the king ordered Daniel to be thrown into a den of hungry lions. According to legend, the enraged lions dared not harm him, which others took as a sign of God's special protection over Daniel. The story of Daniel and the lions has inspired many artists around the world to create numerous paintings.

Daniel's Prophecy

Daniel prophesied the coming of the Messiah (Jesus Christ) and foretold the time of His coming. In Christianity, Daniel is considered an Old Testament prophet, and the book he wrote is included in the Bible. In Jewish religious tradition, however, Daniel is not considered a prophet because he spoke to angels rather than directly to God.

In Islam, Daniel (Daniyar or Daniyal) is honored as a righteous, wise man and a prophet. Although his name is not mentioned in the Qur'an, Islamic tradition holds him in high esteem, reflecting his importance within the faith.

In the Islamic world, the word for "saint" is "hojda," and Daniel is often referred to as "Khoja Daniyar ". This can sometimes cause confusion because another historical figure, also named Khoja Daniyar, was a companion of Kusam ibn Abbas, the Prophet Muhammad's cousin, and helped bring Islam to Central Asia. As a result, some sources suggest that the Khoja Daniyar buried in the tomb may actually be this historical figure.

The Burial of the Prophet

Daniel lived to an old age, and after his death he was buried in the city of Susa (modern-day Shush in Iran). So how did his remains come to rest in Samarkand, thousands of miles away? Another legend offers an explanation.

It is said that in the 15th century, during Amir Timur's (Tamerlane's) campaign through Asia Minor, the city of Susa was the only one he could not conquer. The wise men explained that the city was protected by St. Daniel, whose remains were buried there. In response, Amir Timur ordered the city to be left untouched in exchange for the reburial of the saint's remains.

Another legend says that when the caravan carrying the remains of St. Daniel reached the outskirts of modern Samarkand, the animals carrying the load stopped and refused to move. It was there that they decided to bury the prophet.

Soon after, a spring of holy water began to flow near the tomb. Today, a small structure has been built over this spring, and pilgrims come to drink its water, which is believed to have healing properties.

Architecture

The Tomb of St. Daniel is a long building, and the tomb inside is also long, stretching 18 meters. It is believed that this symbolic length represents the greatness and spirit of the prophet. Another interpretation is that the size of the tomb prevents anyone from knowing the exact location of Daniel's burial.

The building is topped by five identical domes, and daylight enters through a door and latticed windows. In 1996, Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia visited the tomb and blessed a long-dried pistachio tree standing next to the tomb. Remarkably, the tree blossomed the following year.

Visiting the Tomb of St. Daniel in Samarkand is an opportunity to connect with one of Uzbekistan's most revered holy sites, rich in ancient legends. A visit to the tomb allows you to experience the power of ancient traditions while appreciating the grandeur of Samarkand's historical and cultural heritage.