Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church of Swansea
Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church of Swansea serves the Orthodox Christian community of Swansea, Illinois, offering regular worship services and preserving Greek Orthodox faith, traditions, and community life in the region.
Clergy:
Rev. Presbyter Achillies Karathanos, Presiding Priest
Church Type:
Parish
Denomination:
Greek Orthodox
Metropolis:
Metropolis of Chicago
Affiliation:
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Ecumenical Patriarch:
Bartholomew I of Constantinople
Clergy Information updated Jan 2026
History
Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Parish was founded in 1925 by a group of dedicated families who recognized the need for a church to serve the growing Greek Orthodox community in East St. Louis, Illinois. The newly established parish purchased property at 1133 Gaty Avenue in East St. Louis, which met the community's needs until 1951, when it moved to a larger property at 6925 State Street. A parish hall was constructed first, serving as meeting place and church until 1956, when the permanent church building was completed, accommodating approximately 260 worshippers and featuring beautiful traditional Byzantine iconography.
The State Street church served the parish for nearly a quarter century, until 1980, when the decision was made to relocate across the river to Swansea, Illinois. Because the purchasers of the East St. Louis property required immediate occupancy, there was no time to complete the new church before the move. By an act of extraordinary generosity, John and Joe Kassly of Kassly Mortuary allowed the congregation to use their chapel free of charge from April 1980 until November 1982, when the new church home at 405 Huntwood Road in Swansea was completed. A hall and classrooms were added to the Swansea complex in 2007, expanding the parish's capacity for education, fellowship, and community life.
In May 2025, Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Parish celebrated its 100th anniversary, marking a century of Orthodox Christian witness that began on the Illinois side of the Gateway City and has continued into a new century from its home in Swansea as a parish of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
This page serves as a reference resource for Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church of Swansea, providing essential information such as location, contact details, clergy, and church affiliation. It is intended to help visitors and members of the Orthodox Christian community easily find accurate parish information in one place.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register as a member at a Greek Orthodox parish?
Parish membership is generally established by registering with the church office. Each parish may have its own process for enrollment and participation in parish life.
Can I attend services if I am not a registered member of the parish?
Greek Orthodox churches welcome visitors and non-members to attend services. Participation in sacraments may require coordination with the parish and priest.
How do I contact the parish priest for pastoral matters?
Pastoral requests are typically handled by the parish priest. The parish office can assist with contact details and help coordinate appointments or inquiries.
How do I register to baptize my child in the Greek Orthodox Church?
Baptism requests are handled by the local parish. The church will usually require documentation from the parents and godparent, along with coordination with the priest to schedule the baptism.
How do I request a wedding date at my Greek Orthodox church?
Wedding dates are scheduled through the parish office and priest. Availability depends on the church calendar, fasting periods, and parish guidelines, so it is recommended to inquire well in advance.
How do I obtain a copy of my Greek Orthodox marriage certificate?
Marriage certificates are typically issued by the church where the sacrament took place. To request a copy, contact the parish office directly and ask what information or identification is required.
How do I obtain a copy of my Greek Orthodox baptismal certificate?
Baptismal certificates are typically issued by the church where the baptism took place. To request a copy, contact the parish office directly and ask what information or identification is required.
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