Helen E Kalangis

It is with grave sorrow but also with hope in the Resurrection that we announce the passing in Christ of our beloved Presvytera Helen E. Kanangis, wife of the departed Priest of the Holy Archdiocese of America the Rev. George Kalangis, mother of Denise Kalangis Freeman (Florida), Demetra Kalangis (New York), Crystal Kalangis (New York) and our beloved Peter George Kalangis of blessed memory, survived by his wife Cynthia (New York). The family is blessed with three grandchildren, Kristeena Freeman (Florida), Amy Freeman (Florida) and Sotiris Kalangis (New York).

Presvytera Helen was born May 13th,1940 in Boston, the daughter of Jimmy Limperopoulos of Roslindale and Denise Thedusa Limperopoulos, who was later tonsured a nun with the monastic name Ioanna; both have reposed in the Lord. Her brother is the Rev. Nicholas Limperopoulos (married to Presvytera Georgia), living in California. She studied at the Boston Conservatory of Music, in Boston Massachusetts.

She was married on October 30th, 1960 and with our beloved Rev. George of blessed memory they served our Holy Archdiocese with great dedication and faithful commitment. Father George was ordained a Deacon on November 27th, 1960 and to the Priesthood March 26th, 1961, by His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos and served as assistant Dean at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Boston until June 1963. In the summer of 1963, he was appointed by Archbishop Iakovos as the Presiding Priest of the newly established Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Community in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Following a one-year ministry in Florida, Fr. George and Presvytera Helen were transferred in 1964 to the Saints Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church in Marlboro, MA.

In September 1966 he accepted the position of assistant Librarian at the Assumption College in Worcester, MA. In September 1967, Brandeis University in Waltham, MA offered Fr. George the Gifts & Exchange Librarian Position. In 1971, Fr. George and Presvytera Helen were transferred to the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Portsmouth, NH. In conjunction with his transfer, Fr. George was appointed Assistant Librarian and Associate Professor in Psychology at the New Hampshire Technical Institute. Meanwhile, Fr. George opened new horizons in his academic pursuits by being accepted to Boston University to complete graduate studies in Counselor Education. In 1972, Fr. George attained his residence and graduate degree requirements and received the C.A.G.S (Certificate of Advance Graduate Studies) from the Boston University, School of Education. In September 1973, Fr. George was accepted to the School of Theology of the University of Thessaloniki, Greece, to pursue doctoral studies in Cross-Cultural Education Systems. In 1976, Fr. George was awarded a HEW Fellowship to pursue Ph. D. studies in Bilingual/Bicultural Education at The Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL. During his tenure in Tallahassee, Fr. George served the Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Community. During the academic year of 1977, Fr. George received a Doctoral Dissertation award from the Rockefeller Foundation to write his thesis, entitled, "The Socio-cultural and Religious Ethos of the Greek Parochial Schools in the American South." In that same year, he was appointed Director of the Multilingual/Multicultural Learning Resource Center, College of Education at FSU.

Presvytera Helen always supported Fr. George in his pastoral and academic endeavors, culminating on June 1979, when Fr. George received his Doctor of Philosophy from FSU; he was also assigned to the Saints Markella and Demetrios Greek Community in Fort Walton Beach, FL. He became the Learning Resources Director at Okaloosa-Walton Junior College in Niceville, FL and was appointed Chairman of the Commission of Greek Studies and Culture in the American South by His Grace Bishop John of Charlotte, N.C. In 1983, Fr. George and Presvytera Helen were recalled to the Archdiocesan District serving the Transfiguration of Christ Church in Corona, Zoodohos Peghe Community in the Bronx, Panagia in Island Park and the Community of Saint Markella in Wantagh, NY. Coupled with his pastoral duties, Fr. George was also appointed by New York Governor Mario Cuomo to the New York City's Psychiatric Centers and in a leadership position at the Creedmore Psychiatric Center.

Presvytera Helen served alongside Fr. George assisting him with many benevolent, spiritual and religious events as well as his academic pursuits. They both raised together an exceptional family, leaving an indissoluble mark in the history of the Holy Archdiocese of America. Presvytera Helen passed away on Febuary 17th, 2025 at the age of 84 at NYU Langone Winthrop Hospital. Just few hours before her repose, she received the Life-Giving sacrament of Holy Communion, administered by the Rev. Fr. Nikiforos Fakinos, to whom she expressed her love, gratitude and warm wishes. Thousands of families have been inspired by Presvytera'a example, kindness and fervent faith. All the Parishes that she served next to Fr. George are mourning her passing, together with the entire Archdiocese of America. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America conveys most heartfelt condolences, praying for the comfort and support of her beautiful family. His Eminence will be represented by His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzus at the Funeral service, which will take place at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Merrick, New York, on Friday, February 21st at 11 am (visitation at 10 am). May her memory be eternal.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Helen's memory.