In the Russian folk tradition, there are many different holidays, many of which have an ancient history. One of these is Mikhailov Day - a holiday on which it is customary to congratulate men named Mikhail.
It is worth noting that the Mikhailov Day holiday has Christian roots. This celebration is celebrated on November 21st in a new style. On this day, the Orthodox Church commemorates the memory of the Archangel Michael and all the ethereal heavenly powers. We can say that the memory of the entire heavenly army, led by the Archangel Michael, and from that Michael's day itself, is a purely Christian holiday.
However, it should be admitted that on the twentieth of November in Russia, before the adoption of Christianity, there was a holiday associated with the end of the wedding season. With the advent of Christianity to Russia, this day was timed to commemorate the Archangel Michael (hence the name "Michael's Day") and all the other archangels and angels. It is worth noting that there is no tradition in Christian culture to stop weddings after this day. In Orthodoxy, weddings have been prohibited since the beginning of the Nativity Fast (November 28).
At present, all Mikhailov are congratulated on Mikhailov Day. This is due to Christian culture. Orthodoxy testifies that every baptized person has his own guardian angel and holy heavenly patron. Therefore, Mikhailov, bearing the name in honor of the great archangel, was congratulated in Russia. In addition, Michael's Day is the day of an angel and every Orthodox person, because on November 21, the Church especially honors all the angelic hosts, and with it every guardian angel.
In Orthodox churches on the day of the Archangel Michael, solemn divine services are performed, and believers strive to partake of the Holy Communion.
