Name day
Michelle: Name Day and Patron Saint
Michelle keeps the name day on 8 November, or 21 November on the Old Calendar: the feast of the Archangel Michael.
By custom, Michelle is kept with the name Michael and shares its saint and day.
- Patron saint
- the Archangel Michael
- New Calendar
- 8 November
- Old Calendar
- 21 November
- Next name day
- 8 November 2026 (New Calendar) · 21 November 2026 (Old Calendar)
- In the feast calendar
- The feasts of November
The patron saint: the Archangel Michael
Kept on 8 November, or 21 November on the Old Calendar · Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Bodiless Powers
The Archangel Michael, whose name means “Who is like God?”, is the Chief Commander (Archistrategos) of the heavenly hosts, who cast down the proud Lucifer and fights still against all the enemies of God and man. He is honored with all the bodiless powers at the Synaxis of 8 November, a feast the Church has kept since the Council of Laodicea in the fourth century. On 6 September the Church remembers how he saved his church at Colossae, where his spring healed the sick, by splitting the rock to swallow the floodwaters sent to destroy it. He has been loved in Rus since the conversion of Kiev, whose patron he is. Icons show him in armor with a sword or spear. Orthodox Christians pray to him for protection from enemies visible and invisible, for courage, for healing, and for a peaceful death; Russian priests call him the guardian of the souls of the departed.
What the faithful pray for
- protection from enemies visible and invisible
- courage and protection in battle
- victory over evil spirits
- healing, as at his miraculous spring at Colossae
- a peaceful death and help for the soul after death
- the defense of churches and holy places
- deliverance from fear
Protection
- from the devil and his attacks
- soldiers and those who defend others
- churches from desecration
- the souls of the departed
- from enemies of the homeland
Miracles
- At Colossae a Laodicean father’s mute daughter received speech after drinking from the Archangel’s spring, and the whole family was baptized. (source)
- When pagans diverted two rivers to destroy his church and its caretaker St Archippus, the Archangel split the rock with his staff and the waters vanished into it (Chonae). (source)
- On Mount Athos the Archangel saved a youth thrown into the sea by robbers with a stone about his neck (Docheiariou). (source)
Other saints named Michelle
the Synaxis of the Archangels
Kept on 8 November, or 21 November on the Old Calendar · Synaxis of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel and all the Bodiless Powers
The feast of all the angels, led by the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. In Greek custom Angelos and Angeliki keep the name day on this feast.
Michelle in other languages
| Language | The name | Short forms |
|---|---|---|
| English | Michelle, Michaela, Mikaela, Michela, Micaela, Mychelle, Michele | Shelly, Shelley, Mickie |
| Greek | Μιχαέλα, Μιχαήλα, Michaela | |
| Serbian | Mihaela | |
| Romanian | Mihaela | |
| Italian | Michela |
Icons of the Archangel Michael
Have it consecrated by our priest before it reaches you: Consecration, $49.
A name-day gift for Michelle
Name-Day Gift Set $213$149
A patron saint's folding diptych chosen by first name, a stainless steel crucifix and a prayer rope, in a gift box with a card giving the saint's life and feast day.
The St Nicholas the Wonderworker & Guardian Angel Folding Diptych is chosen, for the Guardian Angel every Orthodox Christian receives at baptism, and the name is filled in.
Other names with this saint
Questions
When is Michelle’s name day?
Michelle keeps the name day on 8 November on the New Calendar and on 21 November on the Old Calendar, the feast of the Archangel Michael.
Who is the patron saint of Michelle?
the Archangel Michael. The Archangel Michael, whose name means “Who is like God?”, is the Chief Commander (Archistrategos) of the heavenly hosts, who cast down the proud Lucifer and fights still against all the enemies of God and man.
How is Michelle written in other languages?
Greek: Μιχαέλα (Michaela), Serbian: Mihaela, Romanian: Mihaela and Italian: Michela. Every form of the name keeps the same saint.
What is a good name-day gift for Michelle?
We don’t carry an icon of the Archangel Michael yet, and you can ask for one on this page. Every Orthodox Christian has a Guardian Angel from baptism, so the Name-Day Gift Set ($149) with the Guardian Angel diptych is always fitting.
More about name days
- Name Days Explained: What They Are, How Families Keep Them, and Gifts
A name day is the feast of the saint whose name you carry. Here is how to find yours on either calendar, how Greek and Russian families keep it, and what to give.
- Orthodox Patron Saint: How to Find Yours (by Name, Day or Choice)
Your Orthodox patron saint is the saint whose name you were given at baptism. Here is how to find yours by name, by the day of your birth or baptism, or by choice, and how to keep the name day.
- Find another name