The young Orthodox Christian is a blessing to his family, a role model for other young people and a missionary within the life of the Church, Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church (BOR) said on Tuesday at the official opening of the International Meeting of Orthodox Youth (ITO), held at the National Cathedral in Bucharest.

'Christ's love for young people today is revealed in the fact that a young Orthodox Christian who seeks communion with God and with others participates in the liturgical life of the Church, thereby sharing in the humble and holy love of the Most Holy Trinity. The pious young believer carries that love into family, ecclesial, and social life. In this sense, a young Orthodox Christian is a blessing to his family, a role model for other young people, and a missionary within the life of the Church. To be young in the Church means, above all, having the desire and courage to bear witness to eternal Christian values in a world fascinated by ephemeral models and values. The young Orthodox Christian who loves God and others discovers and bears witness to the truth that the Crucified and Risen Christ offers humanity His humble and merciful love - a love that frees us from selfishness and brings peace and joy into family life, friendship, and community,' His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said at the National Cathedral.

Patriarch Daniel brought to mind that 'for the education and formation of children and young people in the faith, the Romanian Orthodox Church continually develops programs and projects at both the local and national levels, as well as international meetings of young Orthodox people. These gatherings help young people understand that the Church is not merely an institution, but something much more: it is the great family of the Most Holy Trinity's love for humanity, a living community in which each member is called to offer his or her gifts for the benefit of those around them and of the community as a whole.'

At the opening of the gathering, President Nicusor Dan delivered a speech in which he invited Orthodox young people to publicly profess the values they believe in.

'I invite you to publicly profess, and not just inside the church, the things and values you believe in, because it seems to me that this confession is missing from our society, and it appears that the place of a firm but simple and decent profession in the public sphere is being taken by Pharisees. And I am concerned about the support that some of them have in parts of Romanian society,' the President told the young people attending the event.

Interim Education Minister Mihai Dimian, State Secretary for Religious Affairs Ciprian Olinici and Bucharest Mayor General Ciprian Ciucu sent messages of greeting to the participants at the meeting.

The meeting, the largest event for young people organised by the Romanian Orthodox Church, is taking place in Bucharest from Monday to Thursday under the theme 'Young People, the Family and Life in Christ.'

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, which started with Te Deum service marking the beginning of the Ecclesiastical Year, includes thematic conferences, workshops, prayer sessions, cultural activities, the Procession of Lights and the Divine Liturgy celebrated 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.

The last day will begin at 9:00, with a Divine Liturgy celebrated by an assembly of hierarchs, priests and deacons inside the National Cathedral and the closing of the International Meeting of Orthodox Youth will take place at 12:00.

Throughout the services and events held at the National Cathedral as part of the International Meeting of Orthodox Youth, members of the public will have access exclusively to the Cathedral esplanade, where screens will be installed so that they can follow the services and conferences. Only for the Divine Liturgy on Thursday, 3 September 2026, will members of the public also be permitted inside the National Cathedral, subject to available capacity, The Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate informed.

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). AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Popescu; EN - writing by: Rodica State)