International Meeting of Orthodox Youth

Young ITO representative: This gathering gave us new meaning and direction

Andrei Pohrib, who received the ITO torch with Maria Stella Pascal, said the 2026 International Meeting of Orthodox Youth represented for him an image of the Christian life. The moment took place during the closing ceremony at the National Cathedral, where the Archdiocese of Bucharest handed over the ITO torch to the delegation of the…

Sep 4, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

ITO 2026 concludes at National Cathedral, Iași to host next gathering in 2028

The 2026 International Meeting of Orthodox Youth (ITO 2026) concluded on Thursday at the National Cathedral with the Divine Liturgy and a ceremony handing over the torch to the Archdiocese of Iași, which has been designated to organise the next gathering. Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishops Varlaam of Ploiești and Paisie of Sinaia celebrated the service, along…

Sep 4, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

ITO 2026 workshops equip Orthodox youth with project management and digital communication skills

Nearly 2,000 participants and volunteers at the International Meeting of Orthodox Youth (ITO 2026) in Bucharest took part on Wednesday in interactive training workshops on project management, digital communication, and responsibility in interpersonal relationships. For approximately 1,800 Romanian participants, the activities took place in classrooms at the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest…

Sep 4, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel thanks Orthodox youth for ‘pilgrimage of joy and peace’ through Bucharest

“Dear young people, we thank you for the beautiful Procession of Lights you held this evening from the National Cathedral to the historic Patriarchal Cathedral. It was a pilgrimage of joy and peace,” His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel told young participants in the 2026 International Meeting of Orthodox Youth (ITO 2026) on Wednesday evening, after they…

Sep 4, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Closing Ceremony of the 2026 International Meeting of Orthodox Youth | In pictures

The 2026 International Meeting of Orthodox Youth (ITO) concluded on Thursday, September 3, at the National Cathedral. The event began with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and concluded with the ceremonial handover of the torch to representatives of the Archdiocese of Iași, which will host the next edition of ITO. Photos: BASILICA / Mircea…

Sep 4, 2026Mircea Florescu

At the International Meeting of Orthodox Youth, top officials urged young Romanians to continue believing in their country

Romania’s top officials urged young participants in the International Meeting of Orthodox Youth (ITO) 2026 to continue to believe in Romania. Among the participants in the opening ceremony held on Tuesday at Romania’s National Cathedral were the Patriarch and the President of Romania. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel emphasised that young people learn love and communion…

Sep 3, 2026Ștefana Totorcea

Bishop Macarie at ITO 2026: Young Orthodox Christians need community in an increasingly secularised society

“A young believer in a secularised society is not someone closed in on themselves; rather, the Gospel makes them free and helps them become purer, more responsible and more loving,” Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe said on Wednesday evening at the National Cathedral, where he spoke with participants in the 2026 International Meeting of Orthodox…

Sep 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

ITO 2026 speakers highlight family, faith and human connection in confronting addiction

Andreea Ogăraru, a mother of six, and Dr Radu Țincu, a senior physician in Intensive Care and Toxicology at Bucharest’s Floreasca Emergency Clinical Hospital, spoke with participants at the 2026 International Meeting of Orthodox Youth (ITO 2026). The event took place on Tuesday evening at the National Cathedral in Bucharest and was broadcast live by…

Sep 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bucharest Mayor urges Orthodox youth to carry forward a ‘free, open and Christian’ Romania

Bucharest Mayor Ciprian Ciucu on Tuesday urged young participants at ITO 2026 to carry forward Romania “as it is today — open, free and Christian”. The Mayor addressed more than 2,400 young people gathered at the National Cathedral for the opening of the International Meeting of Orthodox Youth and said their presence gave the venue…

Sep 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

President Nicușor Dan urges Orthodox youth to ‘keep believing in Romania’ at ITO 2026

“I hope you experience this communion, learn from people wiser than yourselves and keep believing in Romania,” President Nicușor Dan told young participants at ITO 2026 on Tuesday. The Romanian president attended the opening of the International Meeting of Orthodox Youth at the National Cathedral, alongside representatives of dioceses, sister Orthodox Churches and central and…

Sep 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

National Cathedral to host first Divine Liturgy of 2026 during international Orthodox youth gathering

The National Cathedral will reopen its doors to worshippers during the International Meeting of Orthodox Youth (ITO 2026), which will take place in Bucharest from 31 August to 3 September. According to a statement from the Romanian Patriarchate’s Press Office, the National Cathedral will host several liturgical services and conferences next week. On Thursday, 3…

Aug 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu