Orthodox Youth Forum with 2,400 participants to be held in Bucharest

International Orthodox Youth Meeting in Bucharest attended by 2,400 participants. Photo: Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu

From August 31 to September 3, Bucharest will host the International Orthodox Youth Meeting (ITO 2026), which is expected to bring together around 2,400 young people from Romania and other countries, reports Basilica.ro.

The forum will be held under the motto "Youth, Family, and the Meaning of Life in Christ." The theme of the meeting is connected to the Solemn Year of Pastoral Care for the Christian Family and the Commemorative Year of Holy Women of the Church Calendar, proclaimed by the Romanian Orthodox Church.

Archdiocesan Counselor for Education and Youth Affairs of the Bucharest Archdiocese, Archdeacon Eugeniu Maftei, noted that the event aims to bring together participants aged between 16 and 35.

The organizers emphasized that the ITO 2026 program will address challenges faced by today's youth: technological hyperconnectivity, a lack of inspiring role models, pressure on family life, and the search for meaning. "ITO 2026 seeks to become a blessed space where these questions may be asked sincerely and where answers may be sought together in the light of Christ," said Archdeacon Maftei.

Special attention will be given to youth leaders and coordinators of church projects from the dioceses of Romania and the Romanian Orthodox diaspora. The International Orthodox Youth Meeting has been held since 2014 and is considered the largest annual youth event of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

The UOJ previously reported that the youth congress "Unity Cup" was launched in the Rivne Eparchy.

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