Every day, millions of believers ask: what holiday is today according to the Church calendar, what folk signs and customs belong to the day, what is forbidden, whose name day is being celebrated, and which prayer will help us ask God for protection. September 20 is a day of great confessors in the Orthodox calendar (new style / revised Julian calendar): the Church commemorates the Martyrs and Confessors Michael, Prince of Chernihiv, and his boyar Theodore, the Wonderworkers — Ukrainian princes who in 1246, in the Horde, did not renounce Christ even before death — the Great Martyr Eustathius Placidas and his family — a Roman commander who passed through the loss of everything without losing faith — and Venerable Prince Oleg of Chernihiv, a prince-monk who exchanged his throne for a monastic cell. And the faithful of the old calendar prepare for the Nativity of the Theotokos, which according to the old style falls on September 21. This complete guide recounts the lives of the saints of the day in detail, gathers the folk customs, and provides the canonical prayer texts.
Understanding the liturgical year helps us realize that every day is dedicated to a particular saint or a key Gospel event. Our ancestors always began the day with prayer, because prayer is the key to peace of soul. When we say the Lord’s Prayer or turn to the holy confessors in the morning before work, or in the evening to quiet our hearts, we place our minds under God’s care and calm our souls before life’s worries and anxieties. The saints of this day — princes and warriors who chose faithfulness over power and life — teach us the main thing: true nobility is measured not by titles, but by what a person refuses to betray.
To strengthen your faith and your spiritual watchfulness (nepsis) amid daily temptations, we invite you to the spiritual treasury of the Christian East: the Philokalia (Dobrotolyubiye), where the Holy Fathers teach how to hold on to God amid losses and trials.
The Orthodox Feast of September 20: Michael of Chernihiv and His Boyar Theodore
The Life: A Prince Who Did Not Bow to Idols
Saint Michael Vsevolodovych was Prince of Chernihiv and, for a time, Grand Prince of Kyiv — one of the most influential rulers of his age. In 1246, already in the evening of his life, together with his faithful boyar Theodore, he went to the Horde of Khan Batu, seeking ways of understanding and protection for his people [1][2].
According to the custom of the time, princes who came to the khan were forced to pass through fire and bow to the pagan idols. Michael refused, saying: “I am a Christian and I worship the one God, not created things.” The boyar Theodore, whom the khan tried to persuade to betray the prince with the promise of a principality, answered: “I want to be a Christian, not a prince.” Both confessors were tortured and executed on September 20, 1246. The Church venerates them as martyrs and confessors, and their relics were glorified by numerous healings [1][2].
What Believers Ask of Saints Michael and Theodore of Chernihiv
Believers pray to Saints Michael and Theodore for steadfastness in faith under the pressure of circumstances, for courage in captivity and bondage, for the faithfulness of friends and companions, and also for rulers and soldiers who must choose between advantage and conscience. Their story is about friendship in Christ being stronger than any promise of power.
Great Martyr Eustathius Placidas and His Family
Some calendars also commemorate on this day the Great Martyr Eustathius (Placidas), his wife Theopistia, and their children Agapius and Theopistus — one of the most moving stories of the Christian East [4].
Placidas was a noble Roman commander, famous for his victories. Once, during a hunt, there appeared to him a stag with a shining cross between its antlers, and a voice asked: “Placidas, why do you persecute Me?” The struck warrior received baptism with the name Eustathius, together with his wife and sons. Then trials worthy of Job fell upon him: he lost his property, was separated from his family, and lived for years in poverty and obscurity — but he did not renounce God. Many years later the family was reunited, and Eustathius was called again to military service. Under a pagan emperor he openly confessed Christ together with his family — and all four received a martyr’s death, remaining unshaken. For this extraordinary steadfastness the Church called them Great Martyrs [4].
Saints Eustathius and Theopistia are prayed to for the family and family harmony, for the return of relatives separated by circumstances, for patience in long trials, and for soldiers who pass through losses without losing faith.
Venerable Prince Oleg of Chernihiv: A Throne Exchanged for a Cell
On the same day the Church venerates Venerable Prince Oleg Romanovych of Chernihiv — the son of the holy blessed prince Sviatoslav of Chernihiv. After a stormy life full of wars and captivity, Prince Oleg, toward the end of his life, took monastic vows with the name Basil in the monastery built by his family, and devoted his last years to prayer, almsgiving, and the building of churches. He died around 1204, and the Church venerates him as a venerable saint — one who pleased God in the monastic struggle [1][2].
The Forefeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos According to the Old Calendar
Communities that still live by the Julian calendar celebrate on September 20 the Forefeast of the Nativity of the Mother of God — a day of preparation for one of the Twelve Great Feasts, which according to the old style falls on September 21 [3]. The hostesses prepared Lenten dishes — porridge with mushrooms or honey cakes — and shared them with their neighbors. Tradition required avoiding quarrels and not lending money, so as not to lend away happiness from the home. The folk said: if it rains on September 20, the Theotokos is “cleansing the earth” before her feast, and if the day is sunny, the coming year promises a generous harvest [3].
Folk Traditions of September 20: Signs and Prohibitions
What Is Forbidden on September 20
- Do not quarrel or conflict, swear, or treat children harshly [4][5][6].
- Do not lie or slander others [4].
- Avoid borrowing or lending money [5][6].
- It is not recommended to begin important undertakings without prayer [4].
- Avoid envy and boasting, and also complaints about one’s fate — it was believed that what is said on this day returns doubled [4][6].
- Do not count small coins in your wallet [4].
- If you return borrowed dishes or bags, they must not be empty [4].
- Be very careful with gifts on this day — according to belief, they may bring trouble [4][6].
- It is not advised to propose marriage or set out on long journeys [7].
Weather Signs for September 20
- If the day is warm — the autumn will be long and mild [4].
- Many honey mushrooms in the forest — there will be no warm autumn anymore [4].
- The cherry has not shed its leaves — the winter will be warm and wet [4].
- The cones on conifers are open — a warming; closed — a cooling [5][6].
- The cones grow high — winter will come late [5].
- Birds fly high in the sky — a wet, cold autumn [5].
- A north wind — severe frosts; a south wind — mild weather and a great harvest of winter crops; a west wind — slush; an east wind — sun and warmth [4][5].
- Dark clouds — rain is coming [6].
From this day the peasants began gathering the onion harvest from the fields, and onion skins were not burned — it was believed this might bring misfortune [5].
Name days on September 20 are celebrated by Michael, Theodore, Oleg, Basil, John, Hilarion, Leo, Gregory, Peter, Alexander, and Tatiana [4][5][6]. If your loved ones bear these names, greet them on their name day with a warm prayer and a kind word.
The Spiritual Laws of This Day: Faithfulness, Trust, Humility
The law of faithfulness. Michael and Theodore could have bowed to the idols “for show” and survived. But they understood: worship is not a gesture, but a choice of whom your heart belongs to. For us today: every time circumstances demand a small betrayal of conscience for the sake of advantage, we should remember the confessors of Chernihiv.
The law of trust in losses. Eustathius Placidas lost everything — and remained with God. And later God returned everything to him a hundredfold. This is a law for everyone who today experiences loss — of home, health, loved ones: do not let go of prayer even when it seems that heaven is silent.
The law of humility. Prince Oleg exchanged his throne for a monastic cell — and that is precisely why he is remembered as a saint, not merely as one more prince in the chronicles. The Commandment of Love teaches: the greatest is the one who can become the least. Do today one simple deed without any benefit for yourself.
Hesychast Watchfulness: Prayer Amid Losses
The hesychast Fathers taught: the deepest prayer is born not in joy, but in loss, when nothing remains to a person except the name of God. Such was the prayer of Eustathius in the years of wandering, and the prayer of Michael before his execution: short, unadorned, but holding the heart as an anchor holds a ship. The venerable Fathers counseled: when a great loss or anxiety comes, do not seek many words — hold on to the Jesus Prayer as to a rope in a storm, and it will hold [7].
The practice of prayer with the chotki on this day is simple:
- Take your prayer rope and say 33 knots of the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
- Dedicate one round of the prayer rope to prayer for your family, in honor of Eustathius, Theopistia, and their children.
- Another round — for those in captivity, bondage, or far from home, like Michael and Theodore in the Horde.
- Finish with thanksgiving: “Glory to You, O our God, glory to You.”
The short prayer of the day. “Holy confessors Michael and Theodore, you did not betray Christ even before death — strengthen my faithfulness too. Holy great martyrs Eustathius and Theopistia, you did not lose God when you lost everything — teach me to hold on to God in every loss. Venerable Prince Oleg, teach me to exchange the great for what matters most. Amen.”
Common Prayer on September 20 on Pray.ee
Prayer offered together has a special power: “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). On this day, when the Church recalls the prince and the boyar who remained faithful to each other unto death, invite your family to common evening prayer — even for a few minutes, even with one Lord’s Prayer. Pray especially for those who are far from home.
On our prayer portal Pray.ee you can leave your prayer intention in the comments under this article — and the community of believers will pray for you and your loved ones. Write down whom or what you ask prayer for: for family harmony, for the return of loved ones, for steadfastness in trials, for peace of heart. Do not remain alone with your cares — in common prayer we bear one another’s burdens.
A Living Testimony: A Story from Our Community
“When my husband was taken captive, I did not know what to hold on to. A friend brought me a small icon of Michael and Theodore of Chernihiv and said: ‘They know what it means to be far from home and in bondage.’ I prayed to them every evening for exactly five hundred days. On the five hundred and first day he was exchanged. At our very first meeting he said that in captivity he had several times dreamed of the boyar from the icon, who said: ‘Hold on.’ Now this icon stands in our home in the most honored place.”
If you have your own testimony of God’s help, share it in the comments on Pray.ee. Your word may be the very spark of faith that someone is missing right now.
The Canonical Prayers of September 20
Troparion to the Martyrs Michael and Theodore of Chernihiv, Tone 4
Your martyrs Michael and Theodore, O Lord, in their sufferings received imperishable crowns from You, our God; for having Your strength, they overcame the persecutors and destroyed the feeble insolence of demons. By their prayers save our souls.
Troparion to Great Martyr Eustathius Placidas, Tone 4
Your martyr Eustathius, O Lord, in his suffering received an imperishable crown from You, our God; for having Your strength, he overcame the persecutors and destroyed the feeble insolence of demons. By his prayers save our souls.
Prayer to Saints Michael and Theodore (for home use)
O holy martyrs and confessors Michael and Theodore, prince and boyar, you betrayed neither Christ nor each other before the face of death. Pray for us: grant us faithfulness to God in every choice, courage in bondage and under pressure, and friends faithful to the end. Protect our soldiers and captives, and obtain for us forgiveness of sins and great mercy. Amen.
Prayer to Saints Eustathius and Theopistia for the Family (for home use)
Holy great martyrs Eustathius, Theopistia, Agapius, and Theopistus, you passed through losses and separation but kept faith and love, and God reunited you. Pray for our family: keep it in harmony, bring back those separated by circumstances, grant us patience in trials and thanksgiving in joy. Amen.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About September 20
What church feast falls on September 20, 2026?
According to the new style, the Orthodox Church on September 20 venerates the martyrs and confessors Michael, Prince of Chernihiv, and his boyar Theodore, the wonderworkers (1246), Venerable Prince Oleg of Chernihiv (†around 1204), and according to some calendars also Great Martyr Eustathius Placidas and his family. The faithful of the old calendar celebrate the Forefeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos. The Roman Catholic Church celebrates the feast of the holy martyrs of Korea — Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and their companions.
Who were Michael of Chernihiv and the boyar Theodore?
Prince Michael Vsevolodovych of Chernihiv and his faithful boyar Theodore, who in 1246 in the Horde of Khan Batu refused to pass through fire and bow to the pagan idols, and were martyred for it. The Church venerates them as martyrs and confessors, and their relics were glorified by healings.
Who was Great Martyr Eustathius Placidas?
A noble Roman commander to whom, during a hunt, a cross shining between the antlers of a stag appeared; he received baptism, passed through the loss of his property and his family, but did not renounce God. Later the family was reunited, and under a pagan emperor all four received a martyr’s death for Christ.
What is forbidden on September 20?
One must not quarrel or swear, treat children harshly, lie or slander, borrow or lend money, begin important undertakings without prayer, envy or boast, or count small coins in the wallet. One should be careful with gifts; it is not advised to propose marriage or set out on long journeys.
Who celebrates name days on September 20?
Name days are celebrated by Michael, Theodore, Oleg, Basil, John, Hilarion, Leo, Gregory, Peter, Alexander, and Tatiana.
Sources
- [1] UNIAN — Orthodox calendar of church feasts for September: dates by new and old style (in Ukrainian)
- [2] NBN — Church calendar for September 2026 by new and old style (in Ukrainian)
- [3] AhroHazda — September 20: church feasts by the old calendar (Forefeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos) (in Ukrainian)
- [4] RBC-Ukraine — The feast of September 20: main prohibitions and signs, name days (in Ukrainian)
- [5] RBC-Ukraine — The church feast of September 20: what is strictly forbidden, signs (in Ukrainian)
- [6] 1+1 — September 20: church feast, name days, signs, prohibitions (in Ukrainian)
- [7] The Philokalia (Dobrotolyubiye) — Pray.ee