Michael of Kazan

Holy Martyr Michael of Kazan is counted among the martyrs of Kazan, Russian and Tatar Christians who suffered for Christ at Kazan at the hands of the Hagarenes, enduring cruel torments and death for steadfastness in the Orthodox faith. Those commemorated are John (1529), Stephen, Peter (1552), Boris, Jacob, Theodore, Silvanus, Theodore, Basil, Theodore, Demetrius, Michael, John and Basil (1552-1553).

Tradition has kept some details of the lives of Saints John (specially commemorated on 6 February), Stephen and Peter (specially commemorated on 6 April). Of the others only the names are known: Boris Saltykov, Jacob Evstafiev, Theodore Churkin, Silvanus Vasiliev, Theodore Baklanovsky, Basil Konstantinov, Theodore Konstantinov, Demetrius Konstantinov, Michael Kuzminsky, John Fedorov and Basil. Their martyrdom is dated to the years 1552-1553. Of Michael Kuzminsky the page says nothing else.

A brief account of John, Stephen and Peter was written in the letter of Metropolitan Hermogenes of Kazan (later patriarch and hieromartyr) to Patriarch Job. The patriarch's reply, written on 3 February 1592, said that those slain near Kazan were entered in the Great Synodikon and that their memory should be kept on the second day of the Protection of the Mother of God. The page notes that Michael's name is not found in the present calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church. He is commemorated on 15 October, in the new style.