Presbyter
Saint Michael was born on October 29, 1873, in the village of Ollustfere in the Livonian province. He graduated from the Riga Theological Seminary and began serving as a psalmist in the Church of St. John the Baptist in Riga. On January 2, 1900, he was ordained a priest. With zeal, he fulfilled his duties, becoming a preacher and philanthropist. In 1905, he spoke in defense of those sentenced to death among the rebels.
On February 20, 1908, he was transferred to the Niggens Church, and in 1910, he was appointed the archpriest of the Yurev district. In 1915, he became a priest at the Ringen Church, and in 1916, he served as the third priest in the Assumption Cathedral in the city of Yurev.
During this time, Yurev found himself in the frontline area, where he provided assistance to refugees and those in need. In 1917, after the abdication of Nicholas II, the country began to collapse. Father Michael sought means for the parish when government assistance ceased.
On June 7 (20), 1918, Bishop Platon appointed Father Michael as the rector of the Assumption Cathedral. He organized resurrection readings that introduced the life of Russian saints. In July 1918, he defended the Holy Isidore Church School.
In December 1918, Yurev was seized by the Bolsheviks, and arrests began. Father Michael was arrested and accepted a martyr's end on January 14, 1919, together with Bishop Platon.
