But even after this, Batu gave some chance for pardon. Many Russians now came to Michael and endeavored to change his decision. Most important of all was Boris, his own grandchild, his daughter’s youthful son, the first born of Vassilko, son of Constantine, and grandson of Big Nest. The Russians began imploring and persuading Michael not to risk life for mere ceremony. His grandson fell at his feet. “O my father, my lord, bow down, do the will of the Khan,” begged he, weeping. “God himself sees,” added the boyars of the young prince, “that thou art constrained and not acting of thy own will. Would He take account of such an action?”
“I do not wish to be a Christian in name,” replied Michael, “and yet do the deeds of a pagan.” The boyars denied not the sin, but they took it from him. They said that since he had given a promise to suffer for Christ they would take on themselves that promise and obtain pardon. The young prince clung to his grandfather; he begged, he implored, and wept. Eldage saw with pleasure that Michael was weakening, and said nothing further. But Feodor, the boyar, fearing lest Michael might falter at sight of those who were imploring and weeping, led him to one side and spoke thus to him: “Remember the words of Ioann, which he took from the Gospel: ‘Whosoever will save his life shall lose it.’ Remember also the words: ‘Whoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my father, which is in heaven.’ ”
All surrounded Michael again, and again they entreated. “No, no,” answered Michael; and on a sudden he loosened the sword [[259]]from his side and hurled it to a distance. Then he slipped from his shoulder the princely mantle and threw it away from him, saying: “Take the glory of this world, I want it no longer.”
Eldage’s delight became anger, and turning in rage to Michael, he said sternly, “Life or death, choose now between them!” Those were his last words. “I am a Christian,” replied Michael. “Go and say to the Khan that I will not go between fires, I will not bow down to idols.”
Eldage walked away, leaving all in deep sorrow. Michael and Feodor read the psalms; those who were near made the sign of the cross with them. No one used arguments now. Men saw how Michael and Feodor took the communion bread which they had received from the priest Ioann, and brought with them.
Suddenly the people cried, “They are coming! they are coming!” A party of horsemen rode up. These were the men sent to kill Michael and Feodor, who were repeating aloud, “Thy martyrs, O Lord, who have not rejected Thee, suffering for Christ’s sake, undergoing many torments.” The executioners rushed at Michael, stretched apart his arms, and throwing him to the earth backward, they fell to beating the old man with fists on the breast and near the heart, with much violence. When he was half dead they turned him face downward and jumped on him, stamping with their heels till life left him. They had to murder him with blows, and not with the sword, since that was the Mongol method with princes. The corpse was then decapitated by one of the Mongol spectators. This man proved to be a thief and a renegade from Russia, who had gone over to the enemy. He whispered afterward to the boyar: “Bow down and thou wilt live. Perhaps they will give thee Michael’s dominion.” Feodor made no answer, but turning to the executioners he said: “I am ready to follow my prince.” And he was killed also.
It was the Mongol custom to give the bodies of their victims to the dogs to be eaten, but the multitude of Russians living at the Horde gathered them nightly, when the dogs were loosened, and prayed above them. Thus the bodies of the martyrs were saved, and taken to Chernigoff, where they rested till Tsar Ivan Vassilivitch wished to have them. The bodies of Michael and his boyar are now in the cathedral of the Archangel Michael in Moscow. [[260]]