children from them. And grant me like a mother

Samuel the Prophet, to assimilate by fasting and prayer

his mother's name. Cleanse me from all filth of sin, for I realize that as in sin I am

She herself was born, so in sin she conceived what she felt

I am a creature. Therefore, believing and confessing that

Thou alone, O Christ the Saviour, is sinless, I give myself over entirely to Thy paternal providence for me, and with all the strength of my soul I beseech

Thy goodness: complete Thy creation, which was conceived in me, and sustain it with Thy grace

grant my weakness in bearing this burden

I always have patience, but especially in the present

my condition! Knowing that, by definition,

of His all-holy righteousness, expressed in the face of

first mother to all wives, more are waiting for me

sickness of birth, I submit to this saint

determination with humility and complete devotion to Your will. But, Lord, strengthen my

infirmity in the hour of my release from the burden, send down Thy strength to my weakness for this, support my weak physique with it, protect me

me with Thy creation, Thy holy angels, whom I beget."

Is it possible for one who does not drink wine to be drunk and for one who drinks wine to be sober?

Perhaps, for the Scriptures say of one who is drunk "not with wine" (see Isaiah 51:21). Without wine he drinks

He who does not abandon the frenzy and does not restrain the riot of passions by pious reasoning. It is also possible for the one who drinks wine to be sober in soul and cheerful in all soul-saving

For if it were impossible, the holy

230 ARCHPRIEST VALENTIN MORDASOV, WHAT DO YOU ADVISE, FATHER? 231