The Byzantine Shrine on Beacon Hill

St. Micah of Radonezh

Saint Micah of Radonezh was one of the first disciples of Saint Sergius of Radonezh, and lived with him in the same cell, and under his guidance he attained a high degree of spiritual perfection. For his meekness of soul and purity of heart, Saint Micah was permitted to witness the appearance of the Mother of God to his great teacher. Once, after Saint Sergius had completed the morning Rule of prayer, he sat down to rest for awhile; but suddenly he said to his disciple, “Be alert, my child, for we shall have a wondrous visitation.” 

Hardly had he uttered these words when a voice was heard, “The All-Pure One draws near.” Suddenly there shone a light brighter than the sun. Saint Micah fell down upon the ground in fear, and lay there as if he were dead. When Saint Sergius lifted up his disciple, he asked, “Tell me, Father, what is the reason for this wondrous vision? My soul has nearly parted from my body from fright.” Saint Sergius then informed his disciple about the appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos. 

Saint Micah fell asleep in the Lord in the year 1385. 

Saint Micah’s relics rest in a crypt at the Trinity-Sergiev Lavra. On December 10, 1734, over Saint Micah’s tomb, a church was consecrated in honor of the Appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos and the Holy Apostles Peter and John the Theologian to Saint Sergius of Radonezh.

Troparion — Tone 4

Having taken the Lord’s yoke* upon your shoulders, / you followed Christ with your teacher, the venerable Sergius, / with whom you were deemed worthy to behold the Most Holy Theotokos, / and hear her sweet voice promise that she would not depart from that place. / Pray, O venerable Micah, for those who revere your holy memory.

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* (Matthew 11:29-30)

Kontakion — Tone 8

Come, assemblies of monastics and choirs of those who fast, / joining together let us praise blessed Micah, / the companion in fasting of venerable Sergius, / with whom he stands before the Holy Trinity / and prays that our souls be saved.