Constantine H. Kallaur

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, St. 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 in Long Island near the Church's administrative headquarters in Syosset, 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 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 St 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 Kallaur was a 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.

During his years of teaching, he reviewed books, wrote articles, and gave lectures in his field. From time to time, he taught part-time at Hofstra University, Adelphi University and York College.

He was asked by a Russian publisher to select and edit some of the short stories of the Russian Emigre writer and journalist Andrey Sedykh (the focus of his doctoral dissertation). He was happy to oblige, and the book was published in Russia by the "Moskovskij Rabochij" publishing house.

While on sabbatical, he travelled to Moscow to do research on Leo Tolstoy. Subsequently, he contributed a chapter to the book, "The Unknown Tolstoy".

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). His older sister, Vera Lundberg (+Gustav) fell asleep in the Lord in 2022. And, brother-in-law Michael Pilat and his wife Lois, of Berea, OH.

For more about his life, see these interviews conducted by Fr. John Shimchick and Diana Pasca, Constantine and Arlene Kallaur, A Life in the Church .

Arrangements are 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 Panikhida at St. Tikhon's Monastery Church, 175 St. Tikhon's Road, Waymart, PA

Saturday, November 7

10:30 AM Funeral Service at St. Tikhon's Monastery Church, followed by burial at Saint Tikhon's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Orthodox Church in America.

May Constantine's Memory be Eternal!