Kozyrev

 Kozyrev

“Kozyrev, whose brilliant career in astronomy was interrupted by his arrest, saved himself by only thinking about the eternal and infinite. Of the order of the Universe.”- (page 144)

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn described that individuals that decided to worship GOD Almighty were able to persevere despite opposition, persecution, and difficult times. We learned about different stories of the Gulag Archipelago that described the envy that happens in socialism and communism. We learn that socialism does not help anyone. Even amidst the persecution that righteous individuals went through, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn described how the righteous were able to persevere without corrupting themselves. This is something that surprised Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn because while the circumstances were not ideal, righteous individuals kept believing and having faith in GOD Almighty and persevered. There is the story of an astronomer who was envied by the Soviet Bolsheviks.

“And in this manner he began to discover a new field in physics. And only in this manner did he succeed in surviving in the Dmitrovsk Prison. But his line of mental exploration was blocked by forgotten figures. Now just where could he get them in his solitary-confinement cell with its overnight kerosene lamp...And the scientist prayed, 'Please, GOD! I have done everything I could. Please help me! Please help me continue!” (page 144)

The person's name is Kozyrev. We learn that he had a career in astronomy and was good at his profession. Because he was good, most likely, the Soviet Bolsheviks envied him and sent him to gulag. We learn that the individual believed in GOD Almighty acknowledging that the skies and the earth and everything is created by GOD Almighty. We learn that the Soviets placed him in gulag and tried to discourage his faith. Kozyrev decided to keep his faith. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn described of Kozyrev being kept in solitary confinement in order to discourage him. Kozyrev was able to think about the importance of GOD Almighty and persevere through everything.

“Half an hour passed after his prayer; they came to exchange his book; and as usual without asking anything at all, they pushed a book at him. It was entitled A Course in Astrophysics! Where had it come from? He simply could not imagine such a book in a prison library. Aware of the brief duration of this coincidence, Kozyrev threw himself on it and began to memorize everything he needed immediately, and everything he might need later on. In all, just two days had passed, and he had eight days left in which to keep his book, when there was an unscheduled inspection by the chief of the prison. His eagle eye noticed immediately. 'But you are an astronomer?’ 'Yes.’ 'Take this book away from him.’”- (page 144)

In a specific occassion, the Soviet Bolsheviks attempted to prevent Kozyrev from improving upon his knowledge of astronomy. Kozyrev prayed to GOD Almighty and was able to keep going. Kozyrev prayed for GOD Almighty to help him persevere despite opposition. We learn that Kozyrev was able to persevere and was helped by GOD Almighty. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn described how in the minimal Soviet library at the gulag that Kozyrev was placed, the Soviet guards only circulated Soviet propaganda books. To the amazement of Kozyrev, the guards handed him a book on Astronomy and Physics. Kozyrev decided to learn everything that he could from the book in the short time that he was able to keep the book. Kozyrev was able to memorize and study the Astronomy book.

We learn that Kozyrev was able to persevere despite the opposition of the Soviets. Kozyrev was able to keep on working and learning. We learn that after two days the Soviet guards made an inspection and the chief recalled that he was an astronomer and took the book away. Despite the circumstances, Kozyrev learned and memorized the book in those two days in order to allow him the manner to keep working in Astronomy while being in gulag. This story helps us know that faith allows us to persevere despite opposition, circumstances, and envy.