His Eminence Hon Metropolitan Nifon, Archbishop of Târgoviște and Patriarchal Exarch, urged thousands of young people gathered on Sunday for the Saint Niphon celebrations in Târgoviște to never be “deceived by what merely shines without depth — namely, by confused and destructive ideologies.”
According to the honorary metropolitan, such ideologies are deceptive because “although they may sometimes appear seductive, they promote division, conflict, hatred, and darkness, which steal hope, joy, and the beauty of life.”
Hon Metropolitan Nifon wished the young participants that “the enthusiasm of your age may inspire and guide you toward an encounter with Christ the Lord, ever young, who calls you to the fullness of life, directs your steps, and protects you with His grace.”
“The exuberance and joy of youth should animate your being so that you may bear witness to the faith with magnificent perseverance and become fearless missionaries of the Gospel of Christ in a world that increasingly needs meaning, morality, and authentic values,” he added.
Youth in pilgrimage
Around 4,000 young people took part on Sunday in the opening ceremonies dedicated to Saint Niphon, Patriarch of Constantinople and Metropolitan of Wallachia.
The participants included students from schools in the diocese, members of the Association of Orthodox Christian Students of Romania, seminarians from the “Saint John Chrysostom” Orthodox Theological Seminary in Târgoviște, and students from the Faculty of Theology and Education Sciences of Valahia University in Târgoviște.
On this occasion, His Eminence awarded prizes to students who won first place at the county stage of the National Religion Olympiad and the Interdisciplinary National Olympiad “Romanian Culture and Spirituality,” as well as to their teachers.
The celebrations concluded with a pilgrimage through Târgoviște’s historic centre.
Photo: Archdiocese of Târgoviște
