Sybiha gifts U.S. Secretary of State with icon painted on ammunition crate
Sybiha presents Rubio with an Icon of the Mother of God. Photo: Sybiha's Facebook
March 11, 2025 – During peace negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha presented U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio with an icon of the Mother of God, painted on wooden boards from ammunition crates. Sybiha shared a photo of the gift on his Facebook page.
Sybiha wrote that "Ukraine is ready to move toward a just resolution of the war. Ukraine is not an obstacle to peace; it is a partner in its restoration."
The practice of painting icons on ammunition boxes became popular in Ukraine during the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO). After the full-scale invasion, several Ukrainian artists continued this artistic approach. Sybiha did not specify the artist behind the icon he gifted to the U.S. Secretary of State.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that President Zelensky had presented the Pope with an "icon" featuring an empty space instead of the Infant Jesus.
Read also
Court to choose preventive measure for Met. Arseniy in Dnipro on December 5
The prosecutor demands that the detention of the UOC hierarch be extended.
Khmelnytskyi Eparchy delivers 20 tons of food to Kyiv Theological Schools
Believers of the UOC eparchy collected vegetables, grains, and oil for KDAiS students.
Pashinyan forbids priests to mention Armenian Church head during services
The Prime Minister of Armenia publicly confirmed that state structures demand that Catholicos Karekin II be not commemorated during services attended by the politician.
Pope and Slovak President discuss consequences of war in Ukraine for Europe
During the meeting, the Pontiff and the Slovak President discussed the international situation, with particular attention to the war in Ukraine.
UOC monastery in Kniazhychi faces imminent takeover – lawyer
A UOC lawyer has reported a risk of the forcible eviction of the brethren of the Transfiguration Monastery on the morning of December 5.
Orthodox Church in Czech Republic faces threat of losing special rights
The Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic has initiated administrative proceedings against the Church amid the bankruptcy of the Prague Diocese.