Daniel Sysoev’s biography

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• Daniel Sysoev’s biography

«the good shepherd giveth his life…» John. 10,11

Birth, baptism, school years

Father Daniel (Daniel Alekseevich Sysoev) was born in Moscow on January 12 , 1974 in the family of art teachers. His parents, Aleksey Nikolaevich Sysoev and Anna Midhatovna Amirova were baptized after Daniel’s birth; the boy himself was baptized only in1977. This happened because his grandmother, the devoted communist, tried to prevent this from happening and threatened parents in various ways. Knowing the dangers of the religious prosecution in the atheistic USSR little Daniel’s baptizm had to be postponed.

For quite a long time parents were visiting church without their child, but then, in the age of 3, Daniel has become seriously ill. The illness was so serious, that parents started to be afraid for Daniel’s life, and so they decided to baptize the child anyway (at the moment of time they already knew that a noone except a man be born of water and of the Spirit can enter the kingdom of God), The baptism happened on October 31, 1977 in the church of Holy Trinity on the Vorobievy Hills(Moscow),

From his early childhood Daniel had an idea of becoming a priest some day: so instead of playing ordinary games he loved to imagine himself preaching and doing other things connected with priesthood. At the same time the whole family started to visit a temple regularly (it was st.Nicolas church in Kuznetskaya Sloboda and sometimes other churches of the district). Soon after his father started to serve in the church as an acolyte, so Daniel had a chance to help him in the altar and to sing in the church choir.

Most of any other activities young Daniel loved to listen to the lives of the saints and to draw pitcutes. However, the latter was not surprising for the has grown up in the family of painters. He used to draw beautiful, paradise-like pictures of fantastic lands: nature, mountains, animals, sky, and villages with lots of temples in them. He also loved to draw crucessions.

Education was not a hard job for Daniel. Since the early school years he started to read constantly: in future this helped his a lot both in seminary and in his preaching practice. Until the last days he never gave up reading. In the beginning of his school education he had to experience the public confession of his Christian faith for a first time. Once Daniel was ill and teachers came to visit him. But just as they entered his room their friendly mood changed to shock and anger: it was something unbelievable for an atheistic teacher to see lots of icons and Christian books in Daniel’s room, and of course they felt that there was their own fault. Since that time he was publically persuaded to give up his faith and to become atheist and Marxist. But Daniel bravely stood against all the public shame he has been put in. Standing in front of the whole class he had to say: «I do go to the church; I do believe in God; I do know prayers». Since that moment until the end of his life he continued to confess his faith openly despite all threats.

Education at the Moscow Spiritual Seminary and Academy

Daniel entered Moscow Spiritual Seminary after graduating from school (in 1991). From the material point of view it was a hard time for Daniel and his family, so to support himself he started to work up as a tutor for weaker students. The seminary was the right place for Daniel’s most favorite hobby: reading. He spend hours and hours in the library, studying the ancient books. Sometimes he didn’t listen to the professors on the lectures because he had already known the information from the books; but he didn’t waste his time; he was reading more books under the desk. All his education has strengthened him in his deep assurance that only the Orthodox faith had a salvational truth. Also Daniel liked singing, he sang in the choir and even became a choir master in the Regent School. He loved ancient church chants and later introduced them in his own temple when he became a priest.

In 1994, on December 19, Daniel Sysoev was ordinated as a reader by bishop Rostislav (Devyatov). Not long before he met his future wife, Julia Mikhailovna Brykina. They got married on January 22, 1995 at st.John the Theologian temple in the seminary. After graduating from seminary Daniel and his wife moved to Moscow and soon their first daugher, Iustina, was born.

Being ordinated a deacon on may 15, 1995 by Eugeniy, bishop of Vereya, he started his deacony at the Assumption Church of the Bulgarian Metochion in Moscow. Until his priesthood in 2001 he served in this church. At July 14, 1995 Daniel graduated from the Seminary and applied for a Correspondence at Moscow Spiritual Academy.

Daniel has been involved in the impressing number of activities. He served at the st.Peter and Paul Church in Yasenevo(Moscow), worked as a secretary in «Hexameron», the missionary and educational center, also he served in the rehabilitation center for the victims of totalitarian sects (center of st.John of Kronstadt). Before becoming a priest he wrote and released a book called «The Chronicles of the Beginning» (1999) and was a chief editor of «Hexameron vs. evolution» compilation an «Divine revelation and modern science» almanac. He published dozens of articles on creationism and anti-sectarian propaganda.

The service record of fr. Daniel is impressing. He has served at the st. Peter and Paul Church in Yasenevo (Moscow), was a secretary of Missionary and educational center «Hexameron»(Shestodnev), worked for the st. John of Kronstadt rehabilitation center for the totalitarian sects victims. Before becoming a priest he has written a book called The Chronicles of the Beginning (1999), was a chief editor of «Hexameron vs. evolution» compilation (2000) and «Divine revelation and modern science» almanac. He has published dozens of articles on creationism and anti-sectarian propaganda.

In Sempember 1995 fr. Daniel started to work as a teacher in the Classical Orthodox School in Yasenevo, and from 1996 he was blessed by the Patriarch to start the missionary classes for people who suffered from sectarian and occult activities. Since 1997 he started the regular Bible homilies which he continued to carry out until his death. On May 24, 2000 fr. Daniel’s catechetical and educational works have been noticed by the Patriarchate and he got his letter of commendation as a reward.

Since September 1995 fr. Daniel had been teaching the basics of faith to the eldest students of Classical Orthodox Gymnasia «Yasenevo», and since august 1996 by the blessing of Patriarch, Daniel started the missionary classes with people who suffered from the sectarian and occult activities on the Krutitsy Metochion. Since 1997 fr. Daniel had regular Bible homilies on Thursdays also at the Krutitsy. On may 24 of 2000 fr. Daniel received the letter of commendation for his contribution to the religions education and catechization.

Priesthood

In Januanry of 2001 Daniel Sysoev was ordinated a priest and appointed to st. Peter and Paul Church in Yasenevo under the supervision of Abbot Melchizedek. Father Daniel’s priesthood is connected with lots of travelling, especially around Russia and post-soviet states. The most remarkable are his trips to Tatarstan, Kyrgyzstan (muslim territories), Macedonia and Serbia. He preached without any fear both to orthodox and to muslims, and thus many people turned to Christ. At the same time he worked as a professor in the seminary at st.Nicolas in Pererva monastery and taught liturgics and missiology. In the middle of 2000s father Daniel was invited to his first open discussion with the muslims, later on he had such discussions with various sectarians and pagans, he was invited to lots of TV and Radio shows. Soon after he recieved first threats from the muslims (and lots of criticism from pagans and nationalists).

Since 2006 the regular Bible homilies started at the church of st.Thomas on Kantemirovskaya – this church and parish were created by fr. Daniel himself. Apart from the homilies fr. Daniel started the missionary courses for young people who were inspired to spread the God’s word among atheists, sectarians, muslims, etc. Many of those who were converted to Orthodoxy by father Daniel joined his missionary activities and also became missionaries. He said that everyone is called by the Lord to join His true Church and inherit the eternal life, regardless of his or her nation, cultural and political background because within the Orthodox Church all people become a nation of Christ.

Until his last days Daniel traveled a lot (last trip and one of the last interviews occurred in Serbia) and to that moment he was not afraid of the upcoming threats.

The day of the martyrdom

The day of fr. Daniels martyrdom started from the Divine Liturgy and a communion. Then He baptised a child and conducted a confirmation in Orthodoxy of a person who had slipped down into occultism. In the evening fr.Daniel had his usual Bible homilies after which he remained in the temple for a long time talking to the listeners and answering their questions. When almost everyone left the temple he went into the altar to hear a confession. At this moment a killer broke in the temple. He was wearing mask and had a gun in his hand. He shouted: «Where is Sysoev». Shooting in the air he had wounded the choir master. Father Daniel walked out of the altar saying: «I am here» and walked fearlessly towards the killer, and was deadly wounded. After that the killer run out of the temple and father Daniel died in a few hours remaining unconsciousness. He was 35 years old, had a wife and 3 daughters.

As if was said, father Daniel recieved numerous threats from people who wanted him to stop his mission. However, preaching the God’s word was more important for him than safety. He was mudreder when performing his clerical duties with an epitrahil and a cross on his chest.

On the Friday night of November 20, 2009, the memorial service has been held at the st. Thomas temple, where the friends are relatives of father Daniel were present, as well as members of his missionary school and locals.

On the following Monday Moscow said a last goodbye to the deceased father Daniel. The funeral service was held at the st. Peter and Paul church in Yasenevo, where Daniel’s father served as a priest. The service was held by bishop Arseniy (Epifanov). Hundreds of orthodox people came to say farewell to the priest.

About one hundred of clergy gathered in the temple, in white clothes, holding the burning candles. Among the white robes there were fr. Daniel’s relatives, dressed in the mourning black. After the service Patriarch Cyrillus served a lite at the coffin and said his word to the death of father Daniel Sysoev.

After the three-hour service the procession moved towards the Kuntsevo cemetery.

Father Daniel is buried at the church of Holy Mandylion graveyard in Kuntsevo, Moscow. The 40s day after his death was his name day, the day of holy prophet Daniel (December 30)

Pastor’s spiritual deed

Father Daniel’s service to God was so full of events that one can write a large book about it. He helped people to reveal and understand the Truth. His dream was to teach the God’s word to all people and nations around the land. Father Daniel was a preacher and a missionary. He revealed the direction of the moral and spiritual perfection in the modern conditions of life and called all people to stick to the apostolic principle: «If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone» (Romans. 12, 18)

Father Daniel was familiar with God and loved Him with all his heart and all his soul. Father Daniel love to God was true and sacrificial. Father Daniel endured the martyrdom for Christ. He has left a lot of work for us to do. For each and every orthodox the life in Christ is the most important part of living. This good intention (to live in Christ) has a huge support from father Daniel, because the orthodox people know that he is alive and is praying for all who are astray.