Priest Evgeny Murzin | April 24, 2026
Illness can be caused by various
reasons. In most cases, diseases become the consequence of a person’s unhealthy
way of life, which is also connected, among other things, with the committing
of certain sins. A smoker gets lung cancer, a drunkard develops liver problems,
a glutton’s metabolism is disturbed and obesity develops, and a lazy person,
neglecting his physical condition, suffers from cardiac arrhythmia. Many
illnesses have a psychosomatic nature and are rooted in the spiritual,
psychological constitution of the person.
But this is not always so. In a
number of cases, illness is indeed sent to a person as though from nowhere.
When the disciples asked Jesus about the man born blind: who sinned, this man
or his parents, that he was born blind? — the Lord answered: neither he nor his
parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be revealed in
him (John 9:2–3). The illness and death of Lazarus turned out to be for the
glory of God (John 11:4). The Apostle Paul, who suffered from some serious
illness, explained in this way why God did not heed his prayers for recovery:
lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a
thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to buffet me (2 Cor.
12:7).
From history we know many
examples of holy people who were subject to one or another infirmity. Timothy,
the disciple of the Apostle Paul, suffered from some illness of the stomach (1
Tim. 5:23). St. John Chrysostom was constantly tormented by gastrointestinal
pains and fever. St. Basil the Great, who was often ill and for long periods,
spoke in detail about his illnesses in his letters: “...it [illness] has been
inseparable from me from early youth until this old age, grew together with me,
and by the righteous judgment of God, Who orders all things, it teaches me.
(...) And my body has completely refused to serve me; I cannot endure even the
slightest movement without pain,” he wrote. Illness became the reason for the
departure of Alexander Grenkov—the future venerable Elder Ambrose of Optina—to
the monastery. In his final year of studies at the Lipetsk Theological School,
he became seriously ill and made a vow that, in the event of recovery, he would
receive monastic tonsure.
Thus, even a righteous person who
is in direct communion with God can suffer from illnesses. Illness is not a
sign of being rejected by God. On the contrary, it can become a kind of means
for spiritual growth, for overcoming certain vices, and for acquiring the
experience of trusting in God, humility, and patience. It is important that the
person himself understand this. Then, instead of murmuring and despair,
humility, trust in the will of God, and even—strange as it may seem—gratitude
to the Creator will take up residence in his heart, because through illness he
was able to realize something very important for him personally. For example,
he learned through his own illness to sympathize with the troubles of others,
or used it in order to give those around him an example of faith and patience.
Therefore, sometimes it is more correct to ask the question “for what purpose?”
rather than “for what offense?” illness has been given to me.
God strives to lead people to
eternal joy and true happiness. In reflecting on what happens to us and around
us, and in looking at the misfortunes and sufferings of others, it is important
to understand that the goal of a Christian’s life is not the preservation of
health, nor the acquisition of temporary goods, but entrance into the Kingdom
of Heaven, which is not somewhere on the other side of life, but near us, even
within us. Thus, our healing and our illnesses are directly dependent upon this
chief goal—our salvation and eternal good.
Original Russian
source:
Greek
translation:
https://gr.pravoslavie.ru/177696.html
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