Presidents of France and Montenegro Visit Orthodox Monastery in Cetinje
The head of France discussed with Metropolitan Ioannikios the history of Cetinje Monastery and the prospects for Montenegro's integration into the EU.
President of France Emmanuel Macron and President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović visited the Serbian Orthodox Monastery of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in the historical capital of Montenegro, Cetinje, on June 4, 2026. This is reported by mitropolija.com website.
Metropolitan Ioannikije of Montenegro and the Littoral met the politicians and conducted a tour of the monastery for the French delegation, telling them about its history and holy relics. Then an official reception was held at the metropolitan's house, where current social issues were discussed. Macron explained the reasons for his visit and Montenegro's prospects regarding joining the European Union.
His Grace Ioannikije emphasized the contribution of the Serbian Orthodox Church to preserving the cultural and spiritual heritage of the region. The interlocutors recalled the historical ties between the countries, including their alliance in world wars and the education of Montenegrins in France.
At the end of the meeting, the metropolitan presented Macron with a commemorative gift - a copy of an early Christian disc known as the "Podgorica Chalice," a relic found at an excavation site in Duklja, which is now kept in the Hermitage.
As SPJ reported, a Frenchman single-handedly restored a cross on a mountain peak 3,400 meters high.
