15 DECEMBER 2010. THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE I.A.O. GENERAL ASSEMBLY VICTOR ZORKALTSEV PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 74 (29 AUGUST 1936 – 15 DECEMBER 2010).

I express my deepest condolences on the death of Victor Zorkaltsev, a well known Russian state and political figure, who for many years held the position of the President of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy.
Victor Ilgits Zorkaltsev significantly contributed towards the improvement of Interparliamentary cooperation among the countries of Eastern Orthodox tradition, strengthening of Orthodoxy’s role in the world, and protection and development of traditional and moral values, as well as improving the interreligious dialogue.
My colleagues in the I.A.O. can recall his unswerving ongoing activity defending the rights of Civil Society. We will always remember him; a sensitive and trustworthy colleague always ready to give, to assist with his wisdom and good reason.
We trust that completing his life circle, Victor Iglits was embraced by our Heavenly Protector Jesus Christ. May our Father, the merciful Lord, rest his soul eternally in heaven.
Long live his memory.

Sergei Popov
President of the I.A.O. General Assembly
Over the loss of Victor Zorkaltsev, the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy, shares wholeheartedly the grief of his family and the Russian people. He was a parliamentarian with a longstanding and productive parliamentary tenure, and enjoyed important distinctions; serving for a decade as President of our General Assembly, significantly contributing towards establishing and consolidating a spirit of trust among our Member state Parliaments and significantly helped towards advancing our Assembly’s prestige both inside and outside Russia.

The I.A.O. Alternate Secretary General
Anastasios Nerantzis
In my capacity as the head of the Hellenic Parliamentary delegation to the I.A.O., I express my most sincere condolences to the family of Victor Zorkaltsev, former President of the I.A.O. General Assembly, and colleague from the Russian State Duma.
The long-term presence of Victor Zorkaltsev as head of the Russian parliamentary delegation to the I.A.O. and moreover as the President of the I.A.O. General Assembly contributed substantially in consolidating confidence between parliamentary delegations, as well as, in recording the I.A.O. to parliamentary dynamics of the post-Soviet era as a factor of mutual understanding and cooperation.

The Head of the Hellenic delegation to the I.A.O.
Michail Pantoulas

 

I hereby express my most sincerely felt sympathy to Victor Zorkaltsev’s family upon their major loss.
Victor was a prominent political figure in his country. A man with high standards, common sense and political wisdom, by his righteousness, strength and insight, contributed to the building process of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (I.A.O.) and its international recognition.
All of us having worked with him, shall always feel the aura of his momentum, yet at the same time, discreet presence.
Let our Lord, the Ultimate Judge place him “in the land of the living, where the righteous rest “.
Rest in peace!

Stylianos-Angelos Papathemelis
Please accept my most sincere condolences on the loss of our beloved Victor. Victor was a landmark for the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (I.A.O.), always standing by his ideals.
He will always be remembered.

Dr. Kostas Mygdalis
I.A.O. Advisor
The International Social Foundation for the Unity of Orthodox Nations deeply mourns the death of Victor Zorkaltsev Ilgits- well known state and public figure.
Victor Ilgits along with the late Patriarch Alexios II and other significant personalities was one of the founders of the International Social Foundation for the Unity of Orthodox Nations as well as a member of its administration. He was one of the pioneers of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy, holding the position of the President for about a decade and Chairman of the State Duma’s Committee on social unions and religious organizations from 1994 to 2003.
On behalf of the Administration of the Trustees Board of the International Social Foundation for the Unity of Orthodox Nations, headed by His All Holiness Cyril, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, and me personally, I express my sincere condolences to the relatives and family of Victor Ilgits, to everyone who knew him and worked with this wonderful man, a true patriot of our country, greatly having contributed towards the strengthening of society and promotion of Orthodox values, constantly acting towards the benefit and in his various governmental and social capacities’ for the prosperity of his Homeland. The departing Ilgits Victor was an exemplary Orthodox true friend.
May the Lord rest his soul in heaven. Amen!

Prof. Valery Alexeev
President of the International
Social Foundation for the Unity
of Orthodox Nations
I.A.O. Advisor