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Most venerable sister of Christ, Mother A! Although I recently wrote to you, even now I am forced to respond little to your letter. If you cannot free yourself from the passion that dominates you and cannot be healed from it, look for a doctor; and the doctor of our souls and bodies is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He is able to give His help to those who call on Him. Read about this from St. John Climacus in the 15th degree, on page 88, on the reverse, how to call on His holy help, with much humility, and not to give up on the proper deeds; church service, by which we receive sanctification, cell-based, although small, rule, with compulsion, fasting according to strength, reading the words of the fathers, contrition of the heart, fear of God, remembrance of death, judgment, eternal torment and the kingdom of heaven; all this earns the mercy of God, and His help is sent to those in need. Call upon the prayers of those who labored for purity, St. Martyr Thomaida, St. John the Long-Suffering, St. Moses Ugrin and the prayers of the spiritual fathers and all mothers; and consider yourself the worst of all. During the struggle, all these means are useful. May the Lord vouchsafe you to come to the mind of truth and free yourself from the encumbering mental illness. Although you feel yourself weak, still proclaim the way of salvation to those who come by faith, so that you will not be ashamed of yourself, and those who happen with God’s permission accept sorrows as if they were in debt, blaming themselves, and not complaining about others. N. say: when he humbles himself, then the fighting will subside: sleep less, eat less, beware of idle talk, condemnation, and do not like to adorn yourself with a good dress, guard your eyes and ears. All these means are protective; Do not yet allow thoughts to enter your heart, but when they begin to come, rise up and ask for help from God. Mnogohreshny I.M. February 11, 1833. You might be interested in: