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A Conversation with Father Valerian Michlik A Byzantine Catholic priest who is the son of a Byzantine Catholic priest tells about his days as a priest’s child, his decision to enter the seminary in Rome, and of his recent move to Upper St. Clair with wife, Marjan, and their three daughters. This interview was conducted by Mike Kiss.
An altar server assists Father Valerian.
The youth of St. Gregory’s perform a Christmas play.
TODAY: You were born in Wilkes-Barre after your parents and
sister emigrated from Slovakia in the 1960s. Why did they come to America? FR. VAL: My parents and sister arrived in the U.S. following the Prague Spring Revolution of 1968. Why the U.S.? Well, we had family here. Following the fall of Alexander Dubcek (the famous Slovak politician who tried to reform the communist regime), many used the chaotic situation to leave the Eastern bloc. My dad was a young priest and used this opportunity to leave his native country in search for a better life. TODAY: How was it growing up in coal country and the church? FR. VAL: The coal country… how should I describe it? Small towns, friendly people, church festivals, block parties. These are the memories I have—playing outside, riding bikes, going to the local swimming pool. It is very different nowadays. The coal region is suffering economic depression, which is having a big impact on that area. Growing up in the church? Well, it’s part of your life. Living out your faith as a family, helping out your dad with preparing the church, serving as an altar server during the Divine Services, accompanying my dad for hospital visits. But I must say that when you are a “pk” (priest kid) you do have a large family; not only your immediate family, but also many aunts and uncles (parishioners). The church family becomes your own family. Until this very day, we talk about Pauline (our babysitter) and Harry (the man who could fix anything)… parishioners who will always be a part of our family. TODAY: You mentioned that your mom could not settle you as a three-year-old. I assume your sister was well behaved. Tell us about your family and growing up in Wilkes-Barre. FR. VAL: Yes, it’s true. I was a “restless” child in church. Often, when my dad would celebrate the Divine Liturgy, I would shout in church “Daddy…hey Daddy!” Back in the day, the priest’s family would sit in the front pew. You can probably imagine how my mom felt when all eyes were on her because of my misbehaving. Then my dad came up with a solution. Why don’t we allow this “restless” kid to serve with the other altar servers? The result: here I am today, serving as a priest. We laugh about it because on some occasions I would trip on my sticharion (robe), but as Dad would say “I would get right back up” and continue the procession in church. My sister? 84
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Summer 2013
Yes, growing up she was the well behaved one. You see, being my “big sis,” she would often babysit me, take me for walks, and take me to the pool. As I look back, I was lucky to have her around. TODAY: Your father is a retired priest, now living in Slovakia. Was there ever any pressure to follow in his footsteps, and when did you know the priesthood was your calling? FR. VAL: No, my father never pressured me to become a priest. If you talk to him today, he’ll tell you that it was his wish. We must remember that the priesthood is a calling, a vocation. Not everyone is called to be a priest. I must say that as a child, I would often sneak into my dad’s office and read his “church books.” Sometimes I would even get into trouble, since I was supposed to be doing my homework. Reading my dad’s books, I was inspired by the Synaxarion “Lives of the Saints.” Reading these books and having the witness of two religious priests (priest-monks) who suffered for the faith during the communist regime inspired me. TODAY: I recently told a neighboring resident of your Catholic Church on Brookside Farm’s Mohawk Road. They were unaware that the Byzantine Catholic Church existed. What is an Eastern Catholic Church and why do most Catholics not know of its existence? FR. VAL: Since my arrival to Pittsburgh, I do run into this dilemma. Pittsburgh is a very strong Catholic city. But when we say Catholic, often people only think about the Roman Catholic Church. The word Catholic means “universal,” and this universality is also present in our city of Pittsburgh with the presence of many Eastern Catholic Churches. When I say “Eastern Catholic,” I mean autonomous, self-governing particular churches in full communion with the Pope of Rome. Together with the Latin (Roman Catholic) Church, we comprise the Catholic Church. There are 21 Eastern Catholic Churches worldwide. In the Pittsburgh area, we have the presence of Byzantine, Maronite, Ukrainian, and Romanian Catholic Churches. The notion of Eastern Catholics in the U.S. is much better nowadays than what it used to be. Sometimes I still get the usual “you’re Catholic?” But I use that moment as an opportunity to evangelize. These occasions are also an invite for all to experience the beauty of the Christian East with its rich centuries-old Eastern liturgical, devotional, and theological traditions.