Dr. Constantine H. Kallaur, Professor Emeritus of SUNY-Nassau Community College, Garden City, NY, and a member of The OCA’s Department of External Church Relations for many years, fell asleep in the Lord on the feast of the newly canonized, Saint Olga, October 27, 2026, surrounded by family.
Constantine, or “Costya” as he was known by many, together with his wife, Arlene, were faithful and steadfast members of the Orthodox Church in America, working for and supporting the Church in countless ways. Living on Long Island near the Church’s administrative headquarters in Syosset, NY, they provided material support as well as welcoming graciousness to local and visiting hierarchs, clergy and dignitaries. Their warm engagement with other people resulted in many relationships and friendships throughout the world, a mark of true Orthodox Christian hospitality. At the same time, they had a sincere but unassuming concern for the needy, offering moral and material support to the less fortunate, even strangers.
Prof. Kallaur was born in Horodno, Poland (now Belarus) on February 3, 1934, the third of four children born to Archpriest Ippolit Kallaur and Matushka Marie. He came to the US in 1950 because of World War II.
After graduating from Crosby High School in Waterbury, CT in 1953, he enrolled in a joint program between St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and Columbia University, graduating with a B.S. from Columbia University in 1958 and an ABD from St. Vladimir’s.
He received a fellowship for the 1958-59 academic year to study in Europe. He spent the fall semester at the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, Switzerland and a Spring Semester at the University of Basel, also in Switzerland. While on the way home, he stopped in Paris to spend the summer at the Saint Sergius Orthodox Institute to do research. Here he met his future wife, Arlene, who was studying at the Sorbonne. They were married on September 8, 1963.
He went on to earn an M.A. from Hofstra University and a Ph.D. from New York University in Russian Language and Literature.
Constantine was long time Professor at Nassau Community College, where he was head of the Language Department, also teaching Russian Literature and Philosophy. Fluent in Russian and German, he was frequently called on to be translator at educational and social events in the New York City area.
As a devoted member of the Orthodox Church in America, Dr. Kallaur contributed his talents in many areas. Both in North America and on many trips abroad, he accompanied high level church dignitaries as translator and consultant. Of special note, he was the last living participant of the group that represented the Orthodox Church in America in Moscow for the reception of the Tomos of Autocephaly in May, 1970. He was member of the Church’s Department of External Affairs for many years, representing the Church at Pan-Orthodox and Ecumenical events. Always willing to offer assistance when asked, he was involved on many other Church committees and commissions.
Prof. Kallaur is survived by his wife, Arlene, and their three sons: Gregory Kallaur and his wife Kelly, of Baltimore, MD; Father Michael Kallaur and his wife Eleni, of Pittsburgh, PA; Daniel Kallaur and his wife Ly, of Charlotte, NC. And nine grandchildren: Alexandra, Julia and John; Constantine, Apostoli and Luke; Alexia, Danielle and Hunter James.
He is survived by his sister Alla Lewykin (+Ivan); and his brother, Walter V Kallaur (+Carolita) and former wife Carmen, and brother-in-law Michael Pilat and his wife Lois. His older sister, Vera Lundberg (+Gustav) fell asleep in the Lord in 2022.
For more about his life, go to this set of interviews on Vimeo Constantine and Arlene Kallaur, conducted by Fr. John Shimchick and Diana Pasca.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Orthodox Church in America.
The schedule of services for Constantine is as follows:
Monday, November 2
6:00 PM Panikhida at Nativity of the Holy Virgin Orthodox Church, Charlotte, NC
Friday, November 6
7:00 PM Funeral Service at St. Tikhon’s Monastery Church, South Canaan, PA
Saturday, November 7
10:30 AM Panikhida followed by burial at Saint Tikhon’s Cemetery
May Constantine’s memory be eternal!