International Meeting of Orthodox Youth to take place in Bucharest from 31 August to 3 September

   The International Meeting of Orthodox Youth (ITO), the largest event for young people organised by the Romanian Orthodox Church (BOR), will take place in Bucharest from 31 August to 3 September 2026, under the theme "Young People, the Family and Life in Christ."Approximately 2,400 young people aged between 16 and 35 are expected to attend this year's edition. Of these, 1,900 are participants from the dioceses of the Romanian Patriarchate, the diaspora and the Autocephalous Orthodox Churches, while 500 are volunteers from the Archdiocese of Bucharest.The 2026 edition is taking place 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 will offer 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, a concert, the Procession of Lights and the Divine Liturgy celebrated at the National Cathedral."We want this event to be an opportunity for dialogue, prayer, communion and to highlight the importance that young people have for the Church and for society in general," Father Adrian Agachi, Spokesperson for the Romanian Patriarchate, told a news conference dedicated to the event.He mentioned he wanted to offer young people "the necessary framework for liturgical and communal expression in a world that needs more than ever to guide them towards life in Christ."The event begins on 31 August at 19:45 with a music concert at the Roman Arenas.During the services and events at the National Cathedral dedicated to the International Meeting of Orthodox Youth, worshippers will have access exclusively to the cathedral's esplanade, where screens will be installed for them to watch the services and conferences. The Romanian Patriarchate's Press Office said worshippers will only be allowed inside the National Cathedral for the Divine Liturgy on 3 September, subject to available capacity.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).