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Zosima Yakytskiy and LenskiyBishop
Date of Birth: 12.09.1963
Country:  Russia |
Content:
- Bishop Zosima: A Life of Service
- Military Service and Monastic Life
- Ordination and Monastic Life
- Pastoral Mission and Monastery Administration
- Episcopal Consecration
Bishop Zosima: A Life of Service
Early Life and VocationBishop Zosima, born Igor Vasilyevich Davydov on September 12, 1963, in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, embarked upon his religious journey at a young age. After moving to Moscow in 1968, he began his education, graduating from secondary school in 1980. His artistic pursuits led him to the Moscow Art School, where he also served as a reader and altar server at the Church of the Great Martyr Theodore Stratilates (Antiochian Metochion).
Military Service and Monastic Life
From 1985 to 1987, Zosima served in the Soviet Army. Upon his return, he dedicated himself to the restoration of the Moscow Danilov Monastery. In 1988, he entered the Moscow Theological Seminary, continuing his studies at the Moscow Theological Academy. In November 1990, he joined the brotherhood of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, where he was tonsured a monk on December 16, 1991, by Archimandrite Feognost (Guzikov), taking the name Zosima in honor of the Venerable Zosima, Wonderworker of Solovki.
Ordination and Monastic Life
On April 1992, Zosima was ordained a hierodeacon by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia. Transferring to the Danilov Monastery in June, he became head of its office and editor-in-chief of the monastery's publishing house, "Danilovsky Blagovestnik." On December 13, 1992, he was elevated to the rank of hieromonk by Patriarch Alexy II.
Pastoral Mission and Monastery Administration
From August 1998 to October 2000, Zosima served as a pastor in the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, contributing to the preparation of the 2000th anniversary of the Nativity of Christ. Returning to the Danilov Monastery, he became head of the monastery's art workshops and later, in August 2001, its sacristan. On September 12, 2003, he was elevated to the rank of hegumen by Archbishop Arseny of Istra.
Episcopal Consecration
On August 17, 2004, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church appointed Zosima as Bishop of Yakutsk and Lena. On August 28, the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, Patriarch Alexy II elevated him to the rank of archimandrite. On September 27, on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, Zosima's episcopal consecration was held at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
