He returned to Kazakhstan and began to work in the formational and pastoral camps. Fr. Zinkovskiy was a prefect in the Major Theological Seminary in Karaganda (1998–1999) and assistant priest in the St. Joseph parish in Maikuduk (1999–2001), with the break during 2001–2003, when he studied at the
Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in
Rome,
Italy with the
licentiate of the philosophy degree. Returning to Karaganda, he was appointed a lecturer of philosophy at the Interdiocesan Seminary. At the same time, in 2003–2011, he served as a parish priest, first in
Balkhash (2003–2009), and then in
Temirtau (2009–2011). ==Prelate==