With faith in Christ and hope in the Resurrection, we share news of the repose of Dr. Constantine H. Kallaur, an alumnus and great supporter of St. Vladimir’s Seminary and an important figure in the history of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). He was Professor Emeritus of SUNY-Nassau Community College, Garden City, NY, and a member of the OCA’s Department of External Affairs and Interchurch Relations for many years; he was, notably, the last living participant of the group that represented the OCA in Moscow for the reception of the Tomos of Autocephaly in 1970. Dr. Kallaur fell asleep in the Lord on the feast of the newly canonized St. Olga, October 27, 2026 surrounded by family.
Constantine 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. His seminary studies served as a launching pad for his later work for the Church.
“Of my many treasured memories from student days at St. Vladimir’s,” he once noted, “one comes to mind: our kitchen, kolkhoz. Four of us students banded together to feed ourselves, as there was no cafeteria at that time: Fr. Alvian Smirensky, a fantastic cook who managed to create something tasty out of practically nothing; Fr. Dmitry Grigorieff, a connoisseur of wines who could find a good bottle for one dollar; and Fr. Daniel Hubiak and I, who did the dishes!”
After his seminary studies, Dr. Kallaur went to the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey and then continued further theological studies at the University of Basel, both in Switzerland. Upon his return, Fr. Schmemann, Dean of St. Vladimir’s seminary at that time, secured funds for him to do a survey of Orthodox Christian college students on U.S. campuses; the work was done under the auspices of the National Student Christian Federation. Dr. Kallaur completed the survey and submitted it to the Standing Conference of Orthodox Bishops in America (SCOBA). On the basis of his survey, SCOBA established a permanent office of Orthodox Christian Fellowships, with James Couchell (who became Bishop Dimitri+) as its first director.
Dr. Kallaur went on to get his master’s and doctoral degrees in Russian Language and Literature. He taught for more than forty years on the college level for the State University of New York, Nassau Community College, on Long Island. Within the OCA, Dr. Kallaur served in what was then called the Department of External Church Affairs for approximately forty years. During that same time he also was one of the OCA representatives to the National Council of Churches of Christ, USA (NCCC). Additionally, he often served as an interpreter for NCCC delegations going to and coming from Russia. He had the further privilege of being one of two laymen in the delegation of seven that travelled to Russia in May 1970 to receive the Tomos of Autocephaly for the OCA. As a devoted member of the Orthodox Church in America, Dr. Kallaur contributed his talents in many areas. Always willing to offer assistance when asked, he was involved on many other Church committees and commissions.
At the conclusion of Dr. Kallaur’s studies in Switzerland, 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. Arlene also served the OCA in various capacities, including as a member of the Department of Religious Education for many years and the Department of Lay Ministries. Dr. Constantine and Arlene were longtime members of Holy Trinity Church, East Meadow, New York. Living on Long Island near the Church’s administrative headquarters in Syosset, NY, they provided material support and 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. The Kallaurs had three sons, one of whom also attended St. Vladimir’s Seminary and is a priest, Fr. Michael H. Kallaur (Class of ’94).
Dr. Constantine and Arlene Kallaur’s support and generosity extended to St. Vladimir’s Seminary throughout their lives, where they established The Very Rev. Ippolit and Matushka Marie Kallaur Scholarship Fund.
Dr. Constantine and Arlene were featured in a series of interviews conducted in 2017 by Fr. John Shimchick and Diana Pasca. The interviews may be viewed here.
Prof. Kallaur is survived by his wife Arlene and their three sons: Gregory Kallaur and his wife Kelly, of Baltimore, MD; Fr. Michael Kallaur and his wife Eleni, of Pittsburgh, PA; Daniel Kallaur and his wife Ly, of Charlotte, NC; nine grandchildren: Alexandra, Julia, and John; Constantine, Apostoli, and Luke; Alexia, Danielle, and Hunter James; Dr. Kallaur’s sister Alla Lewykin (+Ivan); and brother, Walter V. Kallaur (+Carolita). Dr. Kallaur’s older sister Vera Lundberg (+Gustav) fell asleep in the Lord in 2022. Dr. Kallaur is also survived by his brother-in-law Michael Pilat and his wife Lois, of Berea, OH.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Orthodox Church in America.
The schedule of services for Dr. Constantine is as follows:
- Monday, November 2
6 p.m. Panikhida at Nativity of the Holy Virgin Orthodox Church, Charlotte, NC - Friday, November 6
7 p.m. Funeral Service at St. Tikhon’s Monastery Church, South Canaan, PA - Saturday, November 7
10:30 a.m. Panikhida followed by burial at St. Tikhon’s Cemetery
May Dr. Constantine’s Kallaur’s memory be eternal!
Some of the text used for this article has been adapted from OCA.org.
