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 2,400 young people aged 16 to 35 from Romania and the Romanian diaspora, as well as from other countries, for an experience of fellowship, prayer, dialogue, and Christian formation.

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), Iași (2017), Sibiu (2018), Craiova (2019), and Timișoara (2023).

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). It will offer young people an opportunity to reflect and engage in dialogue on…