Holy Prophet Micah

Life

He was of the tribe of Judah, from the village of Moresheth, for which reason he was called the Morasthite. A contemporary of the Prophets Isaiah, Amos, and Hosea, and of the kings of Judah — Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. He denounced the vices of his people and denounced the false prophets who prophesied for wine and for strong drink. He foretold the fall of Samaria. He foretold also the fall of Jerusalem, which would come because its rulers take bribes, its priests teach for hire, and its prophets divine for money. Therefore, because of you, Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins. But of all his prophecies, the most important is the prophecy concerning the Messiah, and especially the place of His birth. He named Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah, whose origins are from of old, from everlasting. It is not known precisely whether this prophet too was slain by the Jews or died a peaceful death (see Jeremiah 26:18-19). But it is known that he was buried in his own village, and that his relics were discovered together with the relics of the Prophet Habakkuk in the time of Emperor Theodosius the Great, according to a certain mysterious revelation received by Zebenus, Bishop of Eleutheropolis.

From the Hymn of Praise

Micah, God's prophet, burned with the Spirit of God,And foretold both punishment and salvation:"Hear, O rulers of the house of Jacob —When fire breaks out, the chaff is not saved.