Orthodox calendar: October 3 is the day of remembrance of the Chernigov prince Mikhail and his boyar Theodore, miracle workerstranslated

18th Week after Pentecost.

Today, October 3, 2026, the Orthodox Church celebrates the post-feast of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord and honors the memory of the Great Martyr. Eustathia Placida, his wife Theopistia and their children Agapius and Theopista (c. 118); mchch. and isp. Mikhail, book Chernigovsky, and his boyar Theodore, miracle workers (1245); St. and blgv. book Oleg Bryansky (c. 1285); Cathedral of Bryansk Saints; sschmchch. Theoktistus and Alexander the presbyters (1937).

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Today we commemorate the martyrs and confessors of the Chernigov prince Mikhail and his boyar Theodore, who suffered in the Horde in 1246 for refusing to bow to pagan idols before Batu.

When Khan Batu demanded Prince Mikhail of Chernigov, he, having accepted the blessing from his spiritual father Bishop John, promised him that he would rather die for Christ and the holy faith than worship idols. His boyar Theodore promised the same. The bishop strengthened them in this holy determination and gave them the Holy Gifts as a parting word for eternal life. Before entering the khan's headquarters, the Mongol priests demanded that the prince and boyar bow to the south to the grave of Genghis Khan, then to fire and felt idols. Michael replied: “A Christian should worship the Creator, and not...