In 1885 the tsarist government closed down 400 Armenian schools, which left around 20,000 students and 2,000 teachers without occupation. Mikaelian and his comrades distribute flyers of protest, but met little success. In the autumn of 1885, Mikaelian departed to Moscow to continue his studies at the Petrovskaya Agricultural Academy. Raffi recommended him to his friend Melkon Kasbarian Paniants, asking him to aid Mikaelian financially, adding, "You can believe me in regards to his morality, that he is a most honorable youth." For a year and a half Mikaelian attended the Petrovskaya Agricultural Academy, where he met Stepan Zorian (Rostom) and Simon Zavarian. He took courses as an auditing student, simultaneously pursuing studies in scientific and economic issues and actively participating in student movements. Due to lack of financial means, Mikaelian left his studies incomplete and in 1887 returned to Tiflis and committed himself to revolutionary activities. He attempted to found a secret printing-house with Rostom, but they were unable to secure sufficient funds.