The United States brought to Russia a copy of the Sitka Icon of the Mother of God in response to Putin's gift

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. The image was brought by the chairman of the U.S. Commission on Fine Arts, Rodney Mims Cook Jr.

According to him, the idea of a reciprocal gesture arose after the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Alaska in August 2025. Then 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 (Putin's. The state of mind, as well as the prayers at the graves of Soviet soldiers, were very touching, and I felt peace in his heart and thought that maybe I would come back and exchange with you again," Cook said.

He noted that symbolic gestures between Moscow and Washington are especially important now. Cook also said that he is connected with Russia by the history of the construction of the Arc de Triomphe, the architect of which 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 said.

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The stabilization of the oil market may become one of the key topics of discussion in St. Petersburg.

On August 15 last year, Archbishop Alexy of Alaska and Sitka Church of St. Innocent told Izvestia about Alaska and his trips to Russia, pointing to the common history of the Russian Federation and the United States. According to the archbishop, if there is a common history, it is possible to achieve greater mutual understanding. In addition, he stressed that the dialogue between the states inspires hope for a peaceful settlement.