On October 13, Orthodox Christians celebrate the transfer of the relics of St. Michael, the first Metropolitan of Kiev, to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. Almost nothing is known about the life of Mikhail before his arrival in Kievan Rus. He is believed to be originally from Bulgaria or Syria. In 988, Michael was sent by the Patriarch of Constantinople to Korsun for the baptism of Prince Vladimir, and from there he went with the prince to Kiev to baptize the people. Michael, with the blessing of the Patriarch, gladly took up the fulfillment of his mission. He carried with him icons, holy relics, which helped him in converting the Slavs to the Christian faith. After arriving in the city, he immediately took up his duties. Spending all his time with the people, Saint Michael read sermons, the Gospel, baptized converts. Saint Michael played the role of a shepherd who was supposed to lead the people to the true God. Subsequently, Michael brought the light of the Christian faith to Novgorod. There, too, all the idols were destroyed, and the people were baptized. Saint Michael passed away to the Lord in 992. Prince Vladimir mourned his spiritual mentor for a long time. After all, he lost not just a teacher, but his closest friend. The remains of the Saint were buried in the Tithe Temple, which was erected with his blessing. A little later, they were moved to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, where they are still located.
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