On the fifteenth anniversary of the martyric repose of Priest Daniil Sysoev, a great missionary and preacher of the word of God’s love, Hieromonk Nikanor (Božić)—monk of the sacred brotherhood of the Liplje Monastery and a regular contributor to the Kinonia portal—has prepared a series of texts in remembrance of Father Daniil, the tireless labourer in the Lord’s Vineyard, a contemporary missionary in word and deed, and a shepherd who, in our own time, revealed the strength of faith by being ready to lay down his life for the Lord.
The importance of Father Daniil Sysoev’s missionary zeal is perhaps best expressed in the words of His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, who, upon hearing of Father Daniil’s martyric death, wrote the following:
“Father Daniil was widely known among Orthodox Christians not only in the capital but also in many other dioceses. His zealous labours in preaching the word of God, his concern for bringing people to the faith of Christ, and his care for the spiritual needs of the youth earned him the respect of his fellow pastors and of society at large. At the same time, his firm missionary stance and inspired countenance left a deep impression on those seeking their way to the Church—by the power, emotional intensity, depth of his faith, and his hope in the Lord. He was a striking example of the fulfillment of the apostolic exhortation: ‘Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, always being ready to give a defence to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear’ (1 Peter 3:15). The Lord has called to Himself His faithful servant, granting him the grace to appear as a confessor of the faith and a martyr for the work of the Gospel proclamation.”
We warmly commend to your attention the series of texts by Hieromonk Nikanor (Božić), regular contributor to the Kinonia portal, dedicated to the missionary and martyr Father Daniil Sysoev.
By: Catechist Branislav Ilić, Editor of the Kinonia portal
