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.
Cook stated that the idea for this reciprocal gesture originated after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Alaska in August 2025, during which the Russian leader 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, along with 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.”
He emphasized that symbolic gestures between Moscow and Washington are especially important now, noting a historical connection to Russia through the construction of the Arc de Triomphe—the iconic French monument whose architect was a Russian specialist who also worked in the United States.
“We need world peace, and we need to be able to fly safely to your cities,” Cook added.
