youth ministry

ITO 2026 to gather 2,400 Orthodox young people in Bucharest for prayer, dialogue and fellowship

The International Meeting of Orthodox Youth (ITO), the largest youth event organised by the Romanian Orthodox Church, will take place in Bucharest from 31 August to 3 September 2026 under the theme “Young People, the Family and Life in Christ”. With the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, this year’s gathering will bring together approximately…

Aug 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

First Youth ROARCH camp brings together Romanian Orthodox youth from across Britain

The inaugural edition of Youth ROARCH Camp took place from 21 to 23 July near London, bringing together 35 Romanian children and teenagers from several parishes of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Participants spent three days in the countryside, camped in tents, took part in sports activities, and attended workshops…

Jul 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bucharest to host 2,400 young people for International Orthodox Youth Meeting

Around 2,400 young people from Romania and abroad are expected to take part in this year’s International Orthodox Youth Meeting (ITO), which will be held in Bucharest from 31 August to 3 September. The gathering will be held under the theme Young People, the Family and the Meaning of Life in Christ, reflecting the Romanian…

Jun 30, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Atanasie urges young people to rediscover God amid constant digital distraction

His Eminence Archbishop Atanasie of Great Britain and Northern Ireland met with young people in Zalău, Romania, on Tuesday for a dialogue titled “How can we find God in a world that constantly distracts us?” The event took place at the Young People’s Archontariki (Guesthouse), a recently inaugurated youth centre in Zalău. The Challenges Facing…

Jun 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox priest in Spain says listening to people is central to parish ministry

Fr Ioan Poștoi, parish priest of the Romanian Orthodox community in Roquetas de Mar, Spain, gave an interview to the Spanish publication IDEAL in which he spoke about his pastoral work and parish activities. “I want to work with people, because it is very important to listen to them. Every person who comes to speak…

May 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox youth congress in Britain ends with Divine Liturgy in Bristol

The NEPSIS UK youth gathering concluded on Sunday at the Parish of the Holy Emperors Constantine and Helen in Bristol with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy by Archbishop Atanasie of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Archbishop spoke to the young participants about the Gospel account of the healing of the man born blind,…

May 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarchal auxiliary bishop meets Orthodox scouts group, highlights youth engagement

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, the Holy Synod’s general secretary, met on Thursday, May 14, at the Patriarchal Palace with representatives of the International Orthodox Christian Scouts Organisation “Desmos”. The bishop highlighted the importance of involving young people in educational and community activities amid the challenges of contemporary society. “It is very important that…

May 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Young Romanians in Canada open spring with camp centred on faith and friendship

Children and young people from Romanian Orthodox communities in Canada marked the beginning of spring with the 2026 Spring Religious Camp dedicated to Saints Andrew and John Cassian. The event was organised on March 1–4 by the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada at the Notre-Dame-de-la-Rouge Centre in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, Quebec. The spiritual coordinator was Fr Grigorie Țăpuc,…

Mar 10, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Benedict sets out seven pillars for young people’s spiritual formation

His Grace Bishop Benedict of Sălaj proposed seven key pillars for building a spiritually robust personality, drawing on the Gospel reading at the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. The feast coincides with International Orthodox Youth Day. Reflecting on the verse “to present Him to the Lord” (Luke 2:22), the bishop underlined that “young…

Feb 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox youths are the Church’s living present, not only its future, says UK’s Romanian Archbishop

“Young people are not only the future of the Church; they are its living present,” said His Eminence Atanasie, Romanian Orthodox Archbishop of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in his message for International Orthodox Youth Day. The Archbishop expressed his gratitude to Orthodox youth, especially those living outside their home countries. Young people in the…

Feb 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Southern Bessarabia Diocese reports baptism growth and stronger youth engagement in 2025

The Diocese of Southern Bessarabia recorded visible pastoral growth throughout 2025, alongside greater involvement of young people in diocesan life. Figures in the diocese’s annual activity report point to an encouraging development: 889 baptisms, 350 weddings and 870 funerals were recorded, with the number of those entering the Church through the Sacrament of Baptism exceeding…

Jan 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu