Cyril of Jerusalem : The lesson that was read today invites you to the true faith, by setting before you the way in which you also must please God. It affirms that "without faith it is impossible to please him." For when will an individual resolve to serve God, unless he believes that "he is a giver of reward"? When will a young woman choose a virgin life, or a young man live soberly, if they do not believe that for chastity there is "a crown that does not fade away"? Faith is an eye that enlightens every conscience and imparts understanding. The prophet says, "And if you do not believe, you shall not understand." Faith "stops the mouth of lions," as in Daniel's case, for Scripture says concerning him, "Daniel was brought up out of the den and was found to be hurt in no way, because he believed in his God." — Catechetical Lecture 5:4 Hippolytus of Rome : Then accordingly when the angel appeared in the den, the wild beasts were tamed and the lions, wagging their tails at him, rejoiced as being subjected by a new Adam. They, licking the holy feet of Daniel, rolled around to taste the soles of his feet and they longed to accompany him. For if we believe that, after Paul was condemned to beasts and that a lion was set upon him, it reclined at his feet and licked him all around, how do we not also believe what happened to Daniel, which even Darius himself described to all, having dispatched it through scribes? And in the books of the Persians and Medes it is read up to today that these things really occurred, so that not only the Hebrews nor only the Babylonians, but also the Medes and the Persians and all the nations who live under heaven, having heard the things which happened, they themselves feared God. And then, as Darius heard the voice of Daniel, he was amazed and marveled and commanded the stone to be rolled away and he saw Daniel sitting in the midst of the lions and he was stroking the hair of their heads with his own hands. And then, having invited everyone, he exhibited to them the marvelous spectacle, beasts which were tamed by a man and who were comforted by his hands. Accordingly after taking Daniel up "from the den, no destruction was found in him at all because he trusted in his God." [Daniel 6:23] — Commentary on Daniel 3.29.3-6 John Chrysostom : "Stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire and escaped the edge of the sword." See how they were in death itself, Daniel encompassed by the lions, the three children abiding in the furnace, the Israelites, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, in diverse temptations; and yet not even so did they despair. For this is faith. When things are turning out adversely, then we ought to believe nothing adverse is done but all things in due order. — ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS, HOMILY 27:4