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CHICAGO, IL — With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel of Detroit and the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, Romanian Orthodox young adults gathered in Chicago, Illinois, September 4–6, 2026, for the 2026 National Conference of the American Romanian Orthodox Youth (AROY).
His Grace Bishop Andrei of Cleveland, Auxiliary Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, was present throughout the weekend, joining the young adults in prayer, fellowship, discussions, and the various activities of the conference.
The gathering was hosted by the Falling Asleep of the Ever-Virgin Mary Romanian Orthodox Parish (Saint Mary), with the support and hospitality of the parish priest, V. Rev. Fr. George Ursache, Dean of the Central USA Deanery, together with the Parish Council and the entire parish community.
This year’s conference was centered on the theme “I Am the Light of the World,” drawn from the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in John 8:12. Throughout the weekend, participants reflected upon the calling of Orthodox Christians to bear witness to the light of Christ in their daily lives, communities, and relationships.
Particular attention was given to the life and spiritual legacy of Archimandrite Roman Braga, known as “Father Roman of the Great Lakes.” A confessor of the Orthodox faith who endured years of imprisonment during the communist persecution in Romania, Father Roman later continued his monastic, pastoral, and missionary ministry in North America. His cause for canonization, initiated by the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, is presently under consideration by the Canonization Commission of the Orthodox Church in America.
Mother Christophora, Abbess of Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, served as the keynote speaker. In her presentation and conversations with the young adults, Mother Christophora offered spiritual reflections related to the conference theme and encouraged the participants to deepen their life in Christ and their involvement in the Church.
A special blessing for both the conference participants and the local faithful was the presence of The Myrrh-Streaming Most Holy Theotokos Icon of Hawaii at Saint Mary Parish on Saturday, September 5. The faithful had the opportunity to venerate the holy icon, and an Akathist Hymn was offered before it.
The weekend program also included morning and evening prayers, presentations and small-group discussions, opportunities for fellowship, an introduction to the mission and work of AROY, and the formal meeting of the organization. The young adults were given the opportunity not only to strengthen friendships with one another, but also to discuss the future of Romanian Orthodox youth ministry and their role in the life of the Episcopate.
On Sunday, September 6, the 14th Sunday after Pentecost, His Grace Bishop Andrei of Cleveland, Auxiliary Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, officiated the Holy and Divine Liturgy at the Falling Asleep of the Ever-Virgin Mary Romanian Orthodox Parish (Saint Mary) in Chicago. Assisting His Grace was V. Rev. Fr. George Ursache, parish priest and Dean of the Central USA Deanery.
The Divine Liturgy brought the conference weekend to its liturgical culmination, gathering the young adults together with the faithful of Saint Mary Parish around the Holy Eucharist.
The 2026 AROY National Conference offered participants an opportunity to deepen their Orthodox faith, form and renew friendships, develop leadership skills, and strengthen their connection with the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America and their Romanian Orthodox spiritual and cultural heritage.
Through prayer, worship, spiritual formation, fellowship, and the involvement of a new generation of young leaders, the gathering in Chicago marked another important step in strengthening the ministry of the American Romanian Orthodox Youth and encouraging young adults to take an active role in the life and mission of the Church.
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