Holy New Martyr Michael, pray for us!
Saint Michael the Asakh is one of the lesser known Saints of the Augustan Church, but one who, through his steadfast faith in Elijah and martyrdom for his Hosian faith has been blessed by the Gods, interceding in Heaven on behalf of all Trigunia and especially its indigenous peoples. Little is known about his life save that he was baptized into the Holy Apostolic Hosian Church of Terra as a result of the missionary activity of Saint Tikhon of Trigunia. At some point he and his companions in a fur hunting expedition on mainland Keris were captured by the Selucian colonial authorities in Egelion. For political and economic reasons the Selucians opposed the expansion of Deltarian influence in Keris, but they were also envious of the message of the Annunciation spread among the Kerisian natives by Saint Tikhon and his mission. By this time the Selucians had abandoned the Holy Hosian Church and reverted to their pagan customs, and the followers of Elijah were persecuted for their faith. Saint Michael and his party were brought to the Selucian governor, who, when learning of their Hosian faith, entreated them to turn their back on God and sacrifice to the Selucian idols. Bribery and promises of earthly gains failed to conquer the hearts of Saint Michael and his companions, nor did threats make them abandon their faith. His vanity and authority challenged, the governor ordered that the five Asakh be subject to torture. Saint Michael was the first to suffer for the Hosian faith, as the savage Selucians cut off his fingers one by one then whipped him until the torturers lost their strength. Throughout this ordeal Saint Michael remained steadfast, strengthened by the Gods and his faith in Elijah. Seeing that there was no dissuading the Saint, the governor finally ordered him executed by beheading. When word of this reached the Selucian Senate, it ordered the immediate release of the remaining prisoners. The cruel governor was reprimanded, and all four Asakh still alive were allowed to return to Trigunia. When one of them recounted the story to Saint Tikhon, he turned to the Icon of our Lord the Spirit of God and made the sign of the cross saying "Holy New Martyr Michael, pray for us!". We too now utter the same prayer, pleading with Saint Michael the Asakh to intercede for us sinners and earn us the favour of the Gods.