Building a Liturgical Library w/ Fr. John Whiteford

Today I welcome on as a guest the well known Fr. John Whiteford, rector of Saint Jonah Orthodox Church in Spring, Texas. Fr. John is an expert in liturgics, serving as the editor for the annual St. Innocent Liturgical Calendar (a resource which explains how to put together the services of the Church). I have drawn the inspiration for the topic of today's interview from an article which Fr. John wrote called "Building a Liturgical Library," (link below). We will be discussing what books one would desire to acquire, and in what order, if one were to begin building a liturgical library for home or parish use. We will also discuss why is it not only clergy who can learn about liturgics, but also laymen. Some people may have such a reverence for holy things that they leave Church services to the experts, ordained clergy. They think that if they were to touch a liturgical book they might be struck down dead like Uzzah who touched the Ark of the Covenant. On the contrary, it is absolutely appropriate for laymen to learn how to put together a service, even if it is only for personal observances in the home. The services of the Church are a source of inspiration, edification, and instruction in the Faith. Learning how to serve the daily vespers at home when there might not be a corporate service at your parish is, for many, a good way to help keep their focus on God.