Condolences from Archbishop Varlaam of Makhachkala and Derbent on the death of Archbishop Zosima (Ostapenko)translated

The deceased archpastor was a man of the Church in the deepest sense of these words - wise, integral, sincerely devoted to his duty. Having become the first bishop of the Elista diocese, he did a lot to establish Orthodoxy and Christian education in Kalmykia. But it was in Dagestan that the future ruler began his ministry - as a psalm-reader in the Assumption Church of Makhachkala. And decades later, he returned to this land as the ruling bishop of the Vladikavkaz and Makhachkala diocese and worked a lot in North Ossetia, Ingushetia, the Chechen Republic and Dagestan.

Bishop Zosima occupied a special place in my own life. When, on his initiative, the independent Makhachkala diocese was formed, I was determined to become its first bishop. In those days, Vladyka was nearby, supported me, shared his experience, helped with advice; and in subsequent years our relations always remained kind, brotherly, and humanly warm.

It is difficult to talk about Vladyka Zosima in the past tense. For me, he will forever remain a good shepherd, with whom I have associated many years of life and service, and for whom I have always felt sincere respect and heartfelt gratitude.

I prayerfully ask the All-Merciful Lord to rest...