For more than 30 years now I have called myself Orthodox, and still have not understood why God has allowed illnesses, poverty, and loneliness to someone; and someone lives comfortably.

For more than 30 years now I have called myself Orthodox, and still have not understood why God has allowed illnesses, poverty, and loneliness to someone; and someone lives comfortably. 


This question tormented me so much that the thoughts of unbelief came up. Only recently I realized that suffering was allowed to the whole human race, and if you are healthy and rich, you are called to help those who are unhappy. If you do not do this - you do not fulfill your purpose. It is not known what is easier: to hurt or care for the sick, to work hard to multiply wealth and share with the poor or ask for help without doing anything. Everybody is sent a cross according to his strength, but mortal life is always a cross bearing!

There is no injustice in the fact that one suffers and the other is called to share his suffering and help him. If you think that earthly life is given for pleasure, then, of course, it seems unfair that some are healthy and rich, while others are sick and need everything. 

Bishop of Orekhovo-Zuevsky Panteleimon (Shatov)