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France supports peace and progress in Georgia – Best wishes to the new Patriarchtranslated

July 3, 2026 · 1 min read

Yesterday, Thursday, July 2, 2026, the Catholic Patriarch, Mr. Zion III at the headquarters of the Patriarchate in Tbilisi. According to the information from the Press Office of the Patriarchate of Georgia, the meeting took place in a warm atmosphere with the French diplomat congratulating the Primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church on his election and enthronement, officially conveying the wishes of the French government as well.

The Catholic Patriarch, for his part, thanked both Mr. Courteau for the visit and the wishes, as well as the French government.

The meeting discussed the historical and cultural relationship between Georgia and France, emphasizing the cooperation between the two countries. In turn, the Ambassador of France noted that his country supports peace in Georgia, its sovereignty and the continuation of cultural and educational cooperation.

At the end of the meeting, the Primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church gave the guest an anniversary cross, which was created on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the declaration of Christianity as the state religion in Georgia.…

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Nicholas Turner

That 1700th anniversary reminder hit home—I remember our Denver parish commemorating our own 100th anniversary last year with a special cross, just like the one given to the Patriarch. How many others do you think have crosses made for such milestones?

Sophia Scott

We had a similar oak cross for our St. John the Baptist parish 100th anniversary in 2018—carved from the same tree that stood by the old chapel entrance. Did you keep yours in the narthex?

Надежда Васильева

In Samara, in the Church of St. Nicholas, a cross was also made for the 150th anniversary in 2024 - from an oak tree that grew at the old entrance. How did you keep it - at the door, as Sophia wrote?

Anthony Brown

We got a brass one for our parish’s 90th in Melbourne a few years back—still hangs by the candle stand near the icon of St George. Nicholas, did yours end up in the church or did someone take it home after the celebration?

Michael Smith

Our parish got a similar one for the 300th anniversary of our old wooden church up near Erie—it's still on the analogion by the icon of the Theotokos. Nicholas, I think ours stayed in the nave too. Anthony, does yours get polished regularly or does the brass hold up pretty well on its own?