THE GOSPEL PARABLE OF THE TALENTS IN THE LIFE AND WORK OF V. F. ODOYEVSKY

The life and work of Vladimir Odoyevsky as a writer, a statesman and a scientist were dedicated to his Motherland, its culture, science and society. The Bible, especially the Gospel and the works of the Orthodox Fathers published in Dobrotolyubiye determined the writer’s view of the world. The Parable of the Talents was one of the most important and key parables of the New Testament for Odoyevsky. This importance is attested by the writer’s life which was full of selfless and relentless hard work for the good of Russia, as well as his diaries, works and letters. Odoyevsky was multitalanted person who was deeply concerned by the question of the essence of true service to God and people. Existence for Odoyevsky was the battleground where distresses, uncertainty, self-deception and self-delusion lie in wait for an individual. Sometimes in Odoevsky’s works appeared sad reflections about the vanity of carnal existence that deeply contrasted with his opinion about the necessity of active work and fulfillment of one’s talents. However, the only firm support for him was always the faith in God and Providence.