Metropolitan Irineu of Oltenia and Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe met last week with the 450 participants of this year’s Orthodox Youth Meeting in Oltenia.
On Friday, following the Divine Liturgy celebrated at the “Madona Dudu” Church in Craiova by His Grace Bishop Macarie, a Te Deum service was also officiated in the presence of His Eminence Metropolitan Irineu.
“May God’s blessing be upon all of you who have come with pure hearts and a thirst for truth to this beautiful and radiant youth gathering under the sign of the Gospel of Christ!” the Metropolitan told the young people.
His Eminence emphasized that the exhortation of our Savior Jesus Christ—“Young man, arise and follow Me!” (Mark 10:21)—remains a living invitation addressed to each of them: “These words are the foundation of the Gospel proclamation and mark the beginning of a new life: a life lived in light, in truth, and in Christ.”
“We are part of God’s plan. Even though we are born under the burden of ancestral sin, we remain under God’s blessing. In the light of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are strengthened, we believe, and we are saved—this light has conquered hell and has been entrusted to us for our own sanctification,” added the Metropolitan of Oltenia.
“You have come here to partake, to be in communion, to communicate—and this is a blessing for us.”
On True Freedom
His Eminence also spoke to the young people about the true meaning of freedom, as Saint Paul the Apostle taught: “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful” (1 Corinthians 6:12).
“True freedom does not mean choosing anything, but choosing what is good. Freedom without responsibility turns into slavery. That is why the Church’s call to young people is clear: live beautifully, serve with dedication, and place your gifts in the service of goodness and life!” said Metropolitan Irineu.
Day Two of the Gathering
On Saturday, His Grace Bishop Macarie celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Cathedral “Holy Great Martyr Demetrius” in Craiova. He later delivered a lecture at the “Oltenia” Philharmonic titled: “Young Man, You Are Not Alone in the Struggle: Saint John the Wallachian – Friend of Those Who Fall and Rise Again.”
The 2025 edition of the Orthodox Youth Meeting in Oltenia was dedicated to Saint John the Wallachian, the protector of Oltenian youth, commemorated on May 12.
Participants
The Romanian Patriarchate was represented by Mihai Paraschiv, patriarchal inspector at the Theological–Educational Department.
Other attendees included the Vice Mayor of Craiova, Marian Daniel Păloiu; the Prefect of Dolj County, Dan Diaconu; the County School Inspector General, Prof. Daniel Alexandru Ion; and the Religious Education Inspector, Iuliana Gheorghe.
The youth participants came from: the Archdiocese of Craiova—with the involvement of the County School Inspectorates of Dolj and Gorj; the Diocese of Slatina and Romanați—delegation led by Fr. Counselor Constantin Nicolae Sandu and Fr. Inspector Nicolae Tița; the Diocese of Severin and Strehaia—delegation led by Counselor Mihai Corcodel and Inspector Gabriel Lupu; the Diocese of Southern Bessarabia—delegation led by Fr. Alex Filip Daniel; the Diocese of Caransebeș; and from the local branches of the Association of Romanian Christian Orthodox Students (ASCOR) in Bucharest, Cluj, Constanța, Craiova, Sibiu, Târgoviște, Târgu Jiu, and Timișoara.
Photo: Metropolis of Oltenia
