President Nicusor Dan will attend on Tuesday the official opening of the International Meeting of Orthodox Youth 2026 (ITO).
The gathering, the largest event for young people organised by the Romanian Orthodox Church (BOR), is taking place in Bucharest from Monday to Thursday under the theme "Young People, the Family and Life in Christ.", agerpres reports.
The 2026 edition is being held in the context of the Solemn Year of the Pastoral Care of the Christian Family and the Commemorative Year of the Holy Women in the Calendar (Myrrh-bearers, Martyrs, Monastics, Wives and Mothers).
The event offers young people topics for reflection and dialogue on family, vocation and Christian identity in a constantly changing society.
The programme includes thematic conferences, workshops, prayer sessions, cultural activities, the Procession of Lights and the Divine Liturgy celebrated at the National Cathedral.
On Tuesday, the programme begins at 10:00, with Te Deum service, marking the beginning of the Ecclesiastical Year, inside the National Cathedral.
The official opening of the event is scheduled for 10:30, also at the National Cathedral.
In the evening, from 20:30, the Pilgrimage (Procession of Lights) will take place, starting at the National Cathedral and ending at the historic Patriarchal Cathedral, following the route Izvor Street - 13 Septembrie Road - Libertatii Boulevard - Constitution Square - Unirii Boulevard - Unirii Square (west side) - Brancoveanu Cross - Hill of Joy - Patriarchal Cathedral.
Launched in 2014, the International Meeting of Orthodox Youth has become one of the Romanian Patriarchate's most important youth ministry initiatives. Over the years, diocesan and university centres have hosted it, including Baia Mare (2014), Cluj-Napoca (2015), Bucharest (2016), Iasi (2017), Sibiu (2018), Craiova (2019) and Timisoara (2023).
