Blessed is the individual who contemplates righteousness with wisdom, and he who cultivates holiness in his thoughts (Sir. 14:21). If it is said by the Wise that “Wisdom is bright and unfading” (Prem. 6:12), why does the coffin of the chosen servant of the Wisdom of Power cast such a dark shadow of death? Let kinship grieve over the severance of bonds forged by nature and nurtured by love; let friendship mourn for one who has devoted himself to its cause; let gratitude express sacred sorrow as an offering to the one who brought joy; let sensitivity weep for the signs of merit and glory, which now also bear witness to victory over death. O immortal Wisdom, O light-bearing Truth, how can You abandon to death him who lived to expand and safeguard Your kingdom against deceit and vice? Come, reveal Yourself; Your image shall illuminate hearts shrouded in sorrow; the voice of Your judgment shall comfort and guide us. “Blessed is the man who in wisdom thinketh righteousness: and he who in his mind teacheth holiness.” Some have been so awestruck by Wisdom’s radiance and captivated by its beauty that they equate being wise with being blessed. Indeed, what greater gift exists than Wisdom, which transforms the world, penetrating its depths; it makes the waves solid beneath one's feet, restrains the sun’s rays and human thoughts, ascends to the heavens to unveil the paths of the stars, and rises above creation, yet humbles itself before its Creator. What is more delightful when it rivals nature’s grace or stirs the heart with conviction? What is more beneficial when it subdues passions to reason and nations to law; when it fortifies the safety of citizens and dismantles obstacles to human purpose? Just as not every treasure yields wealth without prudence and moderation, so enlightenment does not automatically equate to perfection. There is a higher wisdom that comprises the prudent application of knowledge. Is the pursuit of understanding, which endlessly transitions from one study to another, not a form of greed for wisdom? Do some wise individuals not resemble the fabled avaricious seeker who wished to turn everything to gold at his touch, only to starve himself? They turn their focus to sterile intellectual contemplation while their hearts languish in apathy. They study extensively, yet never grasp the essence of truth; they think profoundly, yet neglect to truly live. Conversely, are there not those who squander wisdom, purchasing fleeting pleasures at the cost of truth; sacrificing what is beneficial for what is merely pleasing; who, like certain trees, expend their strength on showy blossoms, yielding no fruit? Is it not a diminishment of wisdom when this divine gift is misused for mere curiosity and vanity? If the light of intellect is channeled through the pathways of error, then wisdom itself becomes detestable to God and subject to destruction. He who embodies Wisdom, Truth, and Goodness turns His gaze away from those who profess wisdom devoid of truth and goodness. “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise.” He who has endowed us with intellect and will does not accept mere mental prowess from us. “I will reject the mind of the prudent” (1 Cor. 1:19). The more hazardous and corrupting the misuse of wisdom, the more exalted and glorious is the fate of one who possesses this treasure responsibly. “Blessed is the man who in wisdom thinketh right.” If the spirit of knowledge descends from above, why does God bestow it unequally among men? Is it not to ensure that its concentrated power operates freely and extensively, allowing for the benefit of all through the advantage of some? A truly wise individual establishes his sound thoughts on this Divine truth. He views his abilities and knowledge not as personal possessions to wield at will, but as a stewardship from the heavenly Master, which demands vigilance and accountability. Hence, he will not bury his talent as a negligent servant might; he will not measure knowledge through curiosity and vanity; he will not declare himself a citizen of the world to evade his sacred duty to his homeland; he will aspire to know for the benefit of his neighbor, finding fulfillment in this service rather than in selfish gain or glory. With the righteousness of wisdom, aligning with Divine righteousness, he measures others as he wishes to be measured himself, thus becoming a gracious vessel, like the vessel blessed by the Prophet (4 Sam. 4:4), which remains poured out in benevolence as long as it is filled by an unseen hand, provided it contains the pure oil of heartfelt goodness. “Blessed is he who in his mind learns holiness” (Sir. 14:21). The mind may be found “sour” (1 Cor. 8:1); this condemnation has its roots in daily experience. Blinded by its own brilliance, it sees nothing equal to itself in the world and presumes to elevate us above the heavens, gifting us the title of intelligent beings, as if the heart capable of loving God is any less than the mind capable of understanding Him. Yet, God, incomprehensible to the intellect, desires only to reside within the heart, where our present knowledge serves us merely for time, while the heart serves for eternity. The truly wise recognize that “out of the heart… proceed evil thoughts” (Matthew 15:19), and that “in it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23); pure, heavenly “wisdom” (Prem. 1:4) does not dwell in a “wicked soul.” Thus, he regards the education of the mind unaccompanied by goodness of the heart as a beautifully adorned house with a decaying foundation, poised to collapse. He does not scrutinize the workings of nature without delving into the depths of his own heart; he does not seek to be wise for the world alone, but equally for himself, and he ensures that the knowledge he gains bears witness to his integrity. In the image of the incarnate Wisdom of God, he first “creates” and then “teaches” (Acts 1:1); he fulfills the law before he commands or advises, ensuring that what he affirms by word does not contradict his deeds. Wherever Divine Providence places a man guided by this righteous and holy wisdom, there he serves both as the instrument and the embodiment of goodness. As a citizen, he is seen as a model of obedience, peace, and virtuous living. As a warrior, his homeland trusts in his bravery, while foes recognize his nobility. As a guardian of the law, he remains vigilant; deceit cannot ensnare him, complacency cannot blind him, nor can the allure of wealth sway him. As an educator of the young, faith and character are his paramount lessons. In life’s abundance, both heavenly and earthly blessings abound for him. In death, as the radiant image of wisdom approaches, the shadows of the grave grow faint. Let us banish the illusions of death, for it is no more; we must recognize the lover of active and benevolent wisdom, who has become immortal in his transition from mortal life. The late Count Peter Vasilievich Zavodovsky, if I were to speak of the wise amidst the light, I would proclaim that wisdom was his solace, and that, in times of suffering, his constant dialogue was with the books he cherished. Yet, he lived not merely for enlightenment but for the welfare of the Fatherland, and his true nobility was not a mere pastime but an act of service. The initial seeds of his profound principles were nurtured in the early stages of enlightenment, which had been sown for the Church and bore fruits for the homeland. Ancient yet unpretentious nobility—he did not bask in inherited dignity but instead, Providence ensured he owed his prominence more to his descendants than to his ancestors—did not hinder him from self-examination and preparation for service in the humblest public offices. His talents captured the attention of the hero of Zadunaia amid his glorious victories, revealing abilities that led to a harmonious collaboration where the victor’s sword sharpened the pen of the statesman. This fortunate pen guided him to the throne, and he was honored repeatedly with inscribed acknowledgments of divine will. As his sphere of influence expanded, so did his commitment to the common good. Catherine sought to illuminate the North with the enriching light of knowledge, discovering in him a steadfast ally in this noble endeavor requiring foresight, spirit, and strength. Alexander aspired to revive the light of scholarship across his vast domain, choosing him as his foremost luminary; this light radiated universally, forming epicenters and spheres that, in a sense, crafted a new world of understanding. Ultimately, on the challenging terrain of legislation, where Catherine placed him, distinguished by Paul, elevated by Alexander, he dedicated his remaining strength, never shirking from his service to the Fatherland, even having surpassed the common span of human life as prophesied (Ps. 89:10). Behind these celebrated achievements of a patriot lie unassuming virtues of a man, virtues that, being closer to the heart, affirm the integrity of his illustrious actions: gentleness within the family, steadfastness in friendships, compassion in domestic life, moderation in authority, justice with kindness, and mercy without bias. Though you may not be immortalized in marble, you shall endure eternally in our hearts. Let the anguished cries of sorrow transform into voices of blessing, and the barren tears of lamentation turn into comforting prayers. Let us beseech the God of generosity and the Father of comfort, that to the soul ascending from us to Him, He may unveil among His many abodes the one inhabited by the enlighteners of humanity, where the builders of nations’ temporal peace find everlasting rest in His radiant presence. Amen.
