Seminarian Michael Katalenich

Mike Katalenich is a seminarian at St. Tikhon’s Seminary, Class of 2028. He grew up in a small town in Nebraska, playing in the woods and riding horses. Even though he had no religious upbringing, he attended a Roman Catholic high school for the academics, where he was first introduced to Christ. He became Catholic during his junior year of high school. He studied Greek, Latin, and Hebrew at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and continued to attend services and read about theology and philosophy. After graduating, he became a novice with the Order of Preachers, where he spent most of his time praying and reading. By that time, he had been introduced to the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches and began reading extensively from Orthodox authors.

When he left the order and moved back to Nebraska, Mike joined the local Eastern Rite Catholic mission, where he served as cantor and catechist. He also began teaching Latin, Philosophy, and Theater at the local Catholic high school. He continued to study and pray, eventually finding himself caught between Eastern Catholicism and Orthodoxy. In 2022, he was received into the Orthodox Church at St. John of Kronstadt Orthodox Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. His pastor there asked him to study for the diaconate, and later encouraged him to apply for seminary. Last fall, he began his studies at St. Tikhon’s.

Before leaving his teaching job, Mike was concerned about the transition to seminary and all that it would entail. Looking back, he says the experience has been both humbling and encouraging, strengthening his confidence that God has called him to this path.

When asked what he loves about St. Tikhon's, Michael said: