Library

Welcome to the Christ the Savior Orthodox Church library catalog page. Our library exists so that the local Orthodox community and others interested in the Orthodox Christian faith may obtain a fuller understanding of it and how it applies to both individual lives and the world at large. Below, you will find a listing of all of our books available for you to borrow. Our collection includes English and Russian titles. We also have a selection of periodicals, especially Orthodox Life going back to Issue 2.

Please treat our books with the utmost care. Some of our books are very old, some are difficult to obtain, and others are irreplaceable.

LIBRARY RULES:

1) Any parishioner may borrow up to 3 books at a time.

2) Visitors and non-parishioners may also check out up to 3 books at a time, providing they also leave their contact name, address, and telephone number. An e-mail address would also be useful. A green book is provided for this purpose at our library check out area.

3) Books may be checked out for 2 weeks and will always be due on Sundays. Any book may be renewed, provided that the book in question is not on the Waiting List (see below).

4) Borrowers may put their names and desired book titles on a “Waiting List” found at our library check out area. In this fashion, a popular book which is currently checked out by another borrower will be held to be checked out by the person who is next on the Waiting List when the book is returned.

CLICK HERE FOR AVAILABLE TITLES AND AUTHORS OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE BOOKS 

CLICK HERE FOR AVAILABLE TITLES AND AUTHORS OF RUSSIAN LANGUAGE BOOKS

The following prayers may be of interest to those who are about to study:

PRAYER BEFORE READING HOLY SCRIPTURES
Make to shine in our hearts, O Master who lovest man, the incorrupt light of Thy divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind to the comprehension of the preaching of Thy Gospel. Implant also in us the fear of Thy blessed commandments that, trampling down all carnal desires, we may pursue a spiritual way of life, both thinking and doing all things well-pleasing unto Thee. For Thou art the enlightenment of our souls and bodies, O Christ God, and unto Thee do we send up glory, together with Thy Father, who is without beginning, and Thine all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

PRAYER BEFORE LESSONS
Most gracious Lord! Send down upon us the grace of Thy Holy Spirit to grant us intelligence and strengthen the powers of our soul, that we may attend to the instruction given us, and grow up to glorify Thee, our Creator, to gladden our parents, and to serve the Church and our people.

PRAYER AFTER LESSONS
We thank Thee, our Creator, that Thou hast granted us Thy grace to attend to this instruction. Bless our parents and teachers who are leading us to knowledge of good, and grant us energy and strength to persevere in our studies.

CHRIST THE SAVIOR PARISH LIBRARY DONATION GUIDELINES:

Anyone may donate money or books to our parish library. Please try to ensure that donated books and materials meet the following guidelines:

General Criteria
Each title must be considered on its own merits. There is no single standard that can be applied in all cases when making the decision to include the title in the library’s collection. Among the general criteria that should be considered are:

1. Inclusion in special lists and standard bibliographies on Orthodoxy
2. Readability and clarity
3. Current and historical value
4. Reputation and significance of the author
5. Insight into the subject
6. Importance and appropriateness as an Orthodox document
7. Timeliness
8. Quality of writing
9. Relevance to our library’s goals and purpose
10. Level of treatment

Collection Areas by Subject

The library collects adult and children’s materials in the following subject areas:
1. Copies of Holy Scripture in various translations and languages
2. Orthodox prayer books and service books in various translations and languages
3. Books and AV materials about all aspects of the Orthodox Faith: This could include, but is not limited to, lives of the saints, patristics, apologetics, music, iconography, polemics, Bible commentaries, Christian life, sacraments
4. Writings of the Church Fathers
5. Materials about Russian, Eastern European, Middle and Near Eastern, and English history, culture, literature, philosophy, and art (including Byzantium)
6. Sheet music of the Orthodox liturgical and non-liturgical holiday music in various languages
7. Maps and atlases (current and historical) of Russia, Eastern Europe, Europe, Middle East, Greece, U.S., England, and the World.
8. Cookbooks of Russian, Greek, Arab, and Mediterranean cuisines and especially vegetarian and vegan cookbooks.
9. Journals on the Orthodox Faith (selected issues or full runs)
10. Photos/pictures on any of the above subjects
11. Significant works of Orthodox-interest classical fiction by Russian, East European, U.S., Arabic, English, and Greek authors
12. Selected works of fiction set during the early centuries of Christianity
13. Biographies of individuals whose lives relate to the above subjects, time periods, or other important aspects of Christianity
14. Children’s classics at various reading levels
15. Fairy tales from Russia, Greece, and other Orthodox countries for adults and children
16. AV materials on Christian subjects which could include, but are not limited to, movies, documentaries, lectures, music, Biblical epics, and services.
17. Recordings of Orthodox sacred music.