church connection

Zosima, an Orthodox Christian messaging app from Russia, briefly appeared on Google Play in late September before being removed. Officially launching on October 30, the app is designed for believers to connect with local parishes, receive updates about churches, request prayers, and interact with church leaders. Initially conceived as a project for the Yaroslavl region, Zosima's vision expanded to create a nationwide platform. It was intended for a limited trial launch in November 2024 but faced delays, with no official launch occurring by summer 2025. Zosima resurfaced on Google Play in September 2025, although access was restricted after media interest. The app is developed by a team of about 30 people, with Denis Osipov listed as the developer. Promised features include personal and group chats, photo and video sharing, livestreaming, and donation capabilities for churches, but many functionalities are currently unavailable, and testers found the app unfinished. Registration options include email, VK accounts, or the Gosuslugi portal, but the app's privacy policy raises concerns about data collection. Comparisons to Russia's state-backed Max app highlight Zosima's lack of functionality and potential security issues, with some users mocking it in reviews. Agapov insists it is an "Orthodox" messenger, welcoming all faiths, but its future remains uncertain amidst concerns over user privacy and data security.