At the invitation of Her Excellency Mrs. Anne Marie Maskay, Ambassador of the Republic of France to Montenegro, His Eminence Archbishop of Cetinje and Metropolitan of Montenegro, Mr. Mihailo, led the official delegation of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church at a reception organized on the occasion of July 14th – Bastille Day, the national holiday of the French Republic.

The celebration, held at the Knjaz estate in Podgorica, brought together numerous representatives of the diplomatic corps, officials from the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, as well as members of the academic community, civil sector, and cultural life of Montenegro. In the informal conversations that marked the event, the importance of respecting human and religious rights and freedoms was emphasized as fundamental values of democratic societies and international cooperation.

The Montenegrin Orthodox Church expresses its gratitude to the Embassy of the Republic of France for the invitation and the shown respect, and especially values the Republic of France’s longstanding commitment to promoting the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

Cetinje, July 9, 2025

Office for Public Relations
Montenegrin Orthodox Church