About 2,400 young Orthodox Christians took part in a candlelit procession through the streets of Bucharest as part of the International Orthodox Youth Meeting (ITO), which concluded in the Romanian capital on September 3.

The “Procession of Light” was one of the central events of the gathering. Participants carried candles, icons and flags as they walked from the National Cathedral to the historic Patriarchal Cathedral.

The procession made its way through central Bucharest with participants carrying a cross and the ITO torch while singing religious hymns. At Patriarchal Hill, they were welcomed by Patriarch Daniel of Romania, who, together with several bishops, celebrated a prayer service and blessed the participants.

The procession was open not only to those attending the international meeting but also to other young people from Bucharest and surrounding areas. Bishop Paisios of Sinaia, who accompanied the procession, described it as a symbolic witness to faith, unity and hope.

The International Orthodox Youth Meeting brought together about 2,400 participants from Romania, the Romanian diaspora and other local Orthodox Churches. The program included church services, lectures, meetings, workshops and visits to religious and cultural sites across the Romanian capital.

This year’s meeting was held under the theme “Youth, Family and Life in Christ.” During the closing ceremony, Patriarch Daniel emphasized the importance of family, describing the family formed by a husband, wife and children as a “blessing and gift from God” for the Church, the nation and all humanity.

According to the Romanian patriarch, the modern crisis of the family is rooted primarily in the loss of an understanding of the sanctity of human life and the meaning of sacrificial love. He called for stronger ties between Christian families and parish communities, including through joint prayer and active participation in church life.

The gathering concluded on Thursday with a Divine Liturgy at the National Cathedral. Following the service, participants symbolically handed over the hosting of the next International Orthodox Youth Meeting to the Archdiocese of Iași, which is scheduled to host the event in 2028.

Photo: basilica.ro