What is the holiday of September 30 today? According to the new Julian calendar of the OCU and the UGCC, on this day the Church honors Holy Martyr Gregory, Bishop of Great Armenia, Enlightener of Armenia, and Saint Michael, the first Metropolitan of Kyiv, whose fate is closely connected with the baptism of Russia and the creation of the Kyiv Metropolitanate. Both saints were the first in their lands: one brought faith to the entire people of Armenia after fourteen years in prison, the other led the spiritual life of Kyiv in the 10th century. Therefore, thousands of believers are looking for answers to questions about folk traditions of the day, prohibitions, name days and a strong prayer for peace, reason and protection.
Orthodox holiday of September 30: the life of the holy martyr Gregory of Armenia
Saint Gregory was born approximately in the middle of the 3rd century in a noble Parthian family. His father Anak was involved in the murder of the Armenian king Khosrow, for which the whole family was persecuted. Little Hryhoriy grew up far from his homeland, but he kept his deep faith and purity of heart. When he became an adult, fate returned him to Armenia: Grigory entered the service of King Tiridates and, according to church tradition, it was he who revealed to the king the secret of the origin of the new ruler, thus gaining his trust. But Grigory never hid that he was a Christian.
When the king found out about the faith of the servant, he demanded that Grigory make sacrifices to the pagan gods. The saint resolutely refused, for which he was subjected to terrible torment: he was beaten, his tongue was torn out, his ribs were broken, but he did not deny Christ and even in torment glorified God. Finally, the torturer ordered the disobedient to be thrown into a deep limestone pit full of snakes and other poisonous animals. Grigory spent about fourteen years there. The bottom of the pit was narrow, the walls were slippery, and the saint could never lie down – he supported himself with thin iron rods, prayed and read the Psalter, and the Lord miraculously preserved his life among the snakes.
Meanwhile, King Tiridates, having taken part in pagan entertainments, fell seriously ill and fell into madness. In despair, the courtiers remembered Grigory, who had been dying in the pit for many years. He was taken out, brought to the king, and the saint, himself a recent prisoner, healed the insane ruler with a prayer and a vow. Tiridates recognized in Gregory the same servant whom he himself tortured for his faith, accepted baptism and became a Christian. Since then, a new era began: St. Gregory preached the Gospel throughout Armenia, the people abandoned pagan customs and accepted baptism, churches and monasteries were built, priests were appointed, and Gregory himself became the first Catholicos (patriarch) of the Armenian Church.
Thanks to the efforts of the saint, Armenia entered the history of Christianity as one of the first countries in the world where Christianity became the state religion – this happened in 301, earlier than in the Roman Empire. That is why Gregory is called the Enlightener and Apostle of Armenia. He departed to the Lord around the year 332, leaving behind him a whole nation, taught the faith, and the first cathedral consecrated on Mount Ararat. His relics are honored all over the world, and in Ukraine, the memory of the saint is commemorated according to the new New Julian style on September 30.
Saint Michael, the first Metropolitan of Kyiv
Saint Michael was appointed to the Kyiv chair during the reign of Grand Duke Volodymyr Svyatoslavich, when Rus was baptized in 988. According to church tradition, he was one of those Greek saints who arrived from Byzantium together with equipment for temples and the golden gates of Kyiv. The saint headed the newly created Kyiv Metropolitanate, which became the heir of the apostolic ministry in our lands, laid the foundations of church organization and spiritual education in Russia.
There is a version that Michael was recalled to Constantinople, and in Kyiv he was replaced by other superiors, but the memory of him as the first Metropolitan of Kyiv remained forever in the hearts of our people. The saint died around 991 and was buried in the famous Tithe Church of the Holy Mother of God, the first stone church in Kyiv. When the Mongols destroyed the Tithe Church in 1240, the saint’s relics were moved to the Near (Antony) Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, where they rest to this day next to the first Ukrainian ascetics. Michael became the spiritual father of all Kyiv Christianity, and the holiday of his memory on September 30 is considered one of the most revered among the saints of the Ukrainian land.
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What do the saints pray for on September 30?
Saint Martyr Grigory and Saint Michael were the first luminaries of their peoples, therefore they are prayerfully honored in all matters related to faith, education, statehood and reconciliation.
- On the strengthening of faith and the conversion of loved ones – following the example of King Tiridates, who himself asked Gregory for baptism.
- On peace and victory for Ukraine, on the protection of Kyiv, on the preservation of churches and monasteries, on the unity of the Church.
- On healing from severe, long-lasting ailments – St. Gregory himself cured the king after fourteen years in prison.
- On the gift of patience in imprisonment, exile and loneliness, for all who are in captivity or far from their native home.
- About the mind and love of science and books — September 30 is also celebrated in Ukraine as Library Day, and saints ask children for the gift of education.
- On the reconciliation of enemies and overcoming grievances – Grigory forgave the one who tortured him and healed him.
Folk traditions on September 30: Mykhailo Solomyany
In the Ukrainian folk calendar, this day is known as Mykhailo Solomyanyi, or Mikhailo’s Day. The name is connected with an ancient custom: at this time, when the cold weather is near, the housewives changed the old straw in the beds and pillows for fresh, from the current harvest. This was done solemnly: old clothes were removed from the bed, new hay was spread, the bed was sprinkled with holy water, a prayer was read, and the old straw was taken out to the garden or burned, so that pests and diseases did not start in the house. After the bed was renewed, the children were called, and everyone could jump over the bed – it was believed that this would bring health for the whole year.
Another tradition of the day is to bake talismanic loaves and give them to the poor: it was believed that the bread consecrated on Michaelmas Day has the strongest healing power. The owners also blessed the livestock, sprinkled the barns and barns so that the animals overwintered without loss. Since September 30 is also the Day of Libraries, in Ukraine on this day it is customary to read to children, give books and take care of those who are deprived of access to knowledge. And in churches, prayers to St. Michael are served, asking for intercession for Kyiv and all of Ukraine.
What absolutely cannot be done on September 30
- You can’t quarrel, curse and hold a grudge in your heart – Saint Gregory forgave his tormentors, and the day teaches the same.
- You can’t leave old, dirty bedding and not change the straw – according to folk custom, this causes illness and disorder in the house.
- You shouldn’t throw away bread and waste food – it is especially a sin to indulge in bread on St. Michael’s Day.
- You cannot refuse help to those who ask for advice or books – on the day of science and knowledge, you cannot close anyone’s access to the mind.
- You should not curse with relatives and remind of past wrongs – a holiday of family peace and harmony.
- You cannot be sad and despair – Hryhoriy did not lose hope for fourteen years in prison, and we should not lose it.
Folk omens for the weather on September 30
- If it is sunny on St. Michael’s Day, autumn will be warm, and winter will not come soon.
- The first snow fell and quickly melted – the winter will be snowy, but mild.
- Birch leaves have fallen by this date — by early winter; is still holding on – winter will linger.
- Smoke from the chimney goes up in a column – until it cools down.
- Geese fly low above the ground – to rapid rains; high – until dry autumn.
- Abundant dew in the morning – to a bountiful harvest next year.
Canonical prayers of the day: tropari, kondaki and sincere prayer
Troparion to the holy martyr Gregory, bishop of Armenia, tone 4:
By faith and deed, you appeared as a co-associate of Christ, holy martyr Gregory: as you did not endure the battle, but by preaching you led everyone to salvation. Pray to Christ God to save our souls.
Kontakion to the Holy Martyr Grigory, tone 2:
In the long prison, the light of your preaching did not go out, Grigory the wise: the pits of the snake did not contain your spirit, but, like Jonah from the whale, you went free to lead the entire Armenian people to the light of Christ. Pray that our souls will be freed from the darkness of sin.
Troparion to Saint Michael, the first Metropolitan of Kyiv, tone 4:
You come from the saints, Father Saint Michael: accept our prayer and grant peace and great mercy to our souls.
Kontakion to Saint Michael, the first metropolitan of Kyiv, tone 8:
As the first luminary of Kyiv-City, you are placed, saint, as a sheep shepherd our souls with a word, and with a speechless feat in the Lavra, you sealed your confession. Pray, Michael, that we too may live peacefully and that the salvation of our souls may come.
Sincere prayer to the Holy Martyr Grigory and Saint Michael (home):
Oh, holy luminaries of the Church, holy martyr Gregory of Armenia and Saint Michael of Kyiv! You, who became the first in your lands and brought the light of the Gospel to the nations, look mercifully at us sinners. You, Grigory, who for fourteen years in the snake’s pit did not lose faith and healed the one who tormented you, beg the Lord for healing for the sick, freedom for the captives, peace and victory for Ukraine, reconciliation for the warring parties. You, Saint Michael, who led the spiritual life of Kyiv and rests in the Near Caves of the Lavra, pray for our native city, for shrines and monasteries, for all who carry out priestly service. We beseech you both: teach us patience in suffering, intelligence in learning, love of books and knowledge, purity of heart in prayer. Pray to Christ God to save our souls and grant us peaceful life and salvation forever. Amen.
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FAQ: frequently asked questions about the holiday of September 30
Which church holiday is celebrated on September 30 in a new style?
According to the New Julian calendar, on September 30, the OCU and the UGCC honor the memory of the holy martyr Gregory, the bishop of Great Armenia, the Enlightener of Armenia, and Saint Michael, the first metropolitan of Kyiv. Together with them, the martyrs Gregory, David and Solomon and the martyrs Anastasia, Eupraxia and Feodotia are remembered.
Who celebrates the name day (angel’s day) on September 30?
The following are celebrating their name days today: Mikhail, Grigoriy, Vasyl, Vyacheslav, Leonid, Matvii, Oleksandr, Oleksiy, Petro, Semyon and Sofia.
Is today a fasting day?
September 30, 2026 falls on a Wednesday — there is no obligatory fast, any food is allowed. At the same time, according to the folk tradition, the day has a restrained, domestic character: they prepare fresh dishes from the new harvest, they take care of cleanliness and peace in the house.
Who was Saint Michael and where do his relics rest?
Saint Michael is the first metropolitan of Kyiv, appointed to the chair during the time of Prince Volodymyr after the baptism of Rus. At first, he was buried in the Tithe Church of the Most Holy Theotokos, and after the destruction of the church, the relics were moved to the Near Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, where they are kept to this day.