December 17th, 2023 Stump the Priest: Question: “How does doctrinal authority work in Orthodoxy? In a simplified form, how do I know what Orthodox believe? Less simply, what are the common sources for Orthodox when seeking to believe what the Church teaches? And how is it possible to know that certain teachings are definitely the Orthodox […]

December 10th, 2023 Stump the Priest: Question: “How are the 12 days of the Nativity Feast numbered? Does it start on the Feast itself or the next day? Is the last day of the feast the 12th Day” Click here for the Answer. If you have a question you would like to ask, e-mail frjohnwhiteford@gmail.com The Word of […]

December 3rd, 2023 Stump the Priest: Question: “Now that the Christmas season has begun — in our secular society called the “holiday season” — there are parties held at workplaces. But we are fasting, and the celebration of the Lord’s Nativity does not comes until December 25/January 7. How would you counsel Orthodox Christians on this […]

November 26th, 2023 Stuff from the Priest: “The Handmaiden of God, Anastasia Titov.” Click here for the Article. If you have a question you would like to ask, e-mail frjohnwhiteford@gmail.com Saints of the Day for Sunday and the coming week, and other edifying reading: https://www.saintjonah.org/bltn/pent25.pdf Propers for the Sunday Liturgy (Sunday, November 26th): https://www.saintjonah.org/lit/lit_november13_sun.htm You can find propers […]

November 19th, 2023 Stump the Priest: “Some have argued that the verses in Proverbs regarding corporal punishment are referring to the punishment of adults and not to children. Can you clarify?” Click here for the Answer. If you have a question you would like to ask, e-mail frjohnwhiteford@gmail.com Saints of the Day for Sunday and the coming week, […]

November 12th, 2023 Stuff from the Priest: “Contrary to Nature: A Response to “Would the True “Nature” Please Stand Up?”” Click here for the Article. If you have a question you would like to ask, e-mail frjohnwhiteford@gmail.com Propers for the Sunday Liturgy (Sunday, November 12th): https://www.saintjonah.org/lit/lit_october30.htm You can find propers for other upcoming Liturgies by clicking here, […]

November 5th, 2023 Stump the Priest: Question: “What is the history behind the tradition of the bread and the wine on the table, to eat and drink after the Eucharist?” Click here for the Answer. If you have a question you would like to ask, e-mail frjohnwhiteford@gmail.com Propers for the Sunday Liturgy (Sunday, November 5th): https://www.saintjonah.org/lit/lit_october23.htm You can […]

October 29th, 2023 Stump the Priest: Question: “Is the Church the new Israel? I heard this idea disparaged as “Replacement Theology.” Also, how are we to understand the the term “New Jerusalem”? Is it Heaven? The Church? A literal city? All three?” Click here for the Answer. If you have a question you would like to ask, […]

October 22nd, 2023 Stump the Priest: Question: “What is the appropriate way for laypeople to use incense in prayer?” Click here for the Answer. If you have a question you would like to ask, e-mail frjohnwhiteford@gmail.com Propers for the Sunday Liturgy (Sunday, October 22nd): https://www.saintjonah.org/lit/lit_hf7council_stjames.htm You can find propers for other upcoming Liturgies by clicking here, and upcoming Rubrics […]

October 15th, 2023 Stump the Priest: Question: “When are prostrations made at the Liturgy?” Click here for the Answer. If you have a question you would like to ask, e-mail frjohnwhiteford@gmail.com Propers for the Sunday Liturgy (Sunday, October 15th): https://www.saintjonah.org/lit/lit_october02.htm Propers for the Feast of St. Jonah (Friday, October 20th): https://www.saintjonah.org/lit/lit_stjonah.htm You can find propers for other upcoming […]