A number of Moldovan villages celebrate their day on September 19, when the Orthodox Christians following the Julian calendar observe the Miracle of the Archangel Michael at Chonae in Phrygia, where a miraculous spring appeared after preaching.

Contacted by IPN, Bishop of the Chisinau Church “Saint Hierarch Nicolae” Petru Storoja said that according to the old tradition, Saints Apostles Joan and Philip went to preach the word of God in Ephesus and Hierapolis. Before leaving, they stopped at Herotop near Colossae or Chonae, where the people didn’t believe in God. The Apostles prophesied that Saint Michael will work miracles in that place. When they left, a spring with healing water appeared near Chonae.

The people also call this feast Chudov (“of the Miracle” from Slavonic).