Saint Emilia was a mother of four boys and five girls. Every day, her house was surrounded by nine children, nine earthly angels. And Emilia was very thankful for this treasure bestowed by God. They were “God’s legacy” given by the parental love of God, as the psalmist said: “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward” (Psalm 127, 3).

This is the legacy and the most valuable gift that God bestowed upon His beloved sons – the gift of children and grandchildren. Children are the reward of the rightful people, who bear the blessed fruits of the maternal womb.

Children are God’s legacy to the parents. Having babies is God’s special blessing, as it is written in the Bible “And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb” (Deuteronomy 7:13). God has promised to love thee and multiply thee and bless your children, His followers.

(Translation from Atanasie I. Skarmoghiani, Mamele creștine ale Sfinților Trei Ierarhi, traducere de Pr. Victor Manolache, Editura Egumenița, Galați, 2012, pp. 13-14)