FAQ
Who is ROYA? What is the purpose of the group?
Our organization is part of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas and operates under the supervision of His Eminence, Archbishop Nicolae.
Our mission is to inspire the youth of the Metropolia to devote themselves to Christ and His Church through prayer, worship, chanting, witness, service, and fellowship. We strive to offer a place of genuine communion where young adults can grow personally and spiritually by forming meaningful relationships with others who share their faith. Guided by the bold confession of our patron saint, we seek to proclaim Christ with conviction, to promote the Romanian spirit of Orthodoxy, and to uphold our Romanian heritage and culture.
Who can join ROYA?
Unmarried youth aged 17–30 who attend parishes throughout our Metropolia.
Do I have to know Romanian to join the group?
The Romanian language is part of our mission to uphold Romanian heritage and culture; however, speaking Romanian is not required to join the group. At times, certain conferences or discussions may take place in Romanian, but if it is not a language you feel fully fluent in, you can always ask a member to translate or clarify. We strive to make everyone feel welcome and included.
What are the main events that ROYA organizes?
ROYA organizes four main events throughout the year: the Winter Retreat (also known as Tabăra de Colinde), regional spring retreats, the Summer Heritage Trip to Romania, and the Fall Youth Congress.
Check out the “Retreats” Page to learn more!
Is there a cost to be a member or attend events?
There is no membership fee, but there is a cost to attend in-person events to cover food, accommodation, and activities. However, we offer financial assistance on a case-by-case basis for those who need it.
How does the community stay connected between events?
The community stays connected between events through several ongoing efforts. ROYA is actively working to strengthen local chapters in each parish, encouraging youth to build consistent relationships and involvement at the local level. We also use a Discord server where members can stay in touch daily, and we plan to expand it with new channels dedicated to regional and parish-based chapters. In addition, we aim to host online conferences and virtual gatherings throughout the year so members can continue learning, sharing, and growing together even when we are not meeting in person.
How can my parish start a ROYA chapter?
First, it is important to receive the parish priest’s blessing and get in touch with a ROYA Board member. They will go over the logistics of starting a chapter, including setting up a local board and brainstorming activities.
How do I become a ROYA member?
Reach out to us by email and share your desire to become a member. If you are an unmarried youth aged 17–30 who attends a parish within our Metropolia, we will add you to our mailing list. We do make certain exceptions to this rule, which is why it is important to contact us directly.
Are there opportunities for leadership or involvement in committees?
Yes. The Board is elected every two years at the Fall Congress, and it has the authority to create committees to help implement ROYA’s mission. We currently have two committees: the Events Committee, which plans logistics for our main events, and the Public Relations Committee, which focuses on promoting ROYA’s mission and events across all communication channels.
Does ROYA have a spiritual father? Can I reach out to him?
ROYA has a spiritual advisor who is a priest of our Metropolia, chosen with the help and blessing of our archbishop, His Eminence Nicolae. Our current spiritual advisor is Father Petru Neaga from Catedrala Buna Vestire in Olmsted Falls, OH. To contact him, please reach out to us at rorthodoxyouth@gmail.com.
How can I reach out to ROYA with more questions?
Email, Instagram, or Facebook!