Interview with the Romanian Orthodox youth in North America who have organised a 5,500 km March for Life

- Basilica.ro -

In North America, members of the Romanian Orthodox Youth of America (ROYA) have come together for an extraordinary initiative: a 5,500-kilometre March for Life, where they and their communities unite to support life and help women in pregnancy crisis.

The Month for Life 2025 brings a special atmosphere: in over 1,500 cities and townships in Romania and the Republic of Moldova, at least one pro-life activity is organised, thanks to the dedication of local organisers – youth groups, associations, parishes, and local support networks.

However, this year, the Month for Life is also being celebrated by Romanians in the diaspora in several countries, including the USA, Canada, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Portugal.

Interview by Alexandra Nadane

Three young ROYA members – Valentin Cioană, Patrick Cioată, and Diana Pavel – share insights about the 5,500 km March for Life they have organised, as well as the joys and challenges faced by Romanians in North America.

Valentin is 24 years old, studies Mechanical Engineering, works and spends his free time engaging in community activities. Patrick, aged 18, studies Finance, is passionate about sports, and does volunteer work. Diana, also 24, graduated in Foreign Languages with a French-Spanish specialisation and works as an English teacher. Although currently living in Spain, she remains actively involved in ROYA.

“The desire to connect burns within us”

What are the joys and challenges of being Romanian in North America?

Valentin Cioană: Young Romanian Orthodox people in North America often seek to reconnect with their roots while living in a foreign country. Being an ocean and a continent away from our homeland, we deeply long for reconnection with our traditions and heritage.

Bridging the gap between two cultures is not easy. Many of us have strong Romanian roots, yet finding people in North America who truly understand our customs, traditions, and way of life can be a challenge.

Moreover, the vast distances across this continent make it difficult to convene as we would in Romania. But, paradoxically, these distances bring us emotionally closer. The desire to connect with one another burns within us, making every moment we spend together even more precious.

We rediscover our roots when we speak Romanian, dance together, cook traditional dishes and celebrate our heritage. In these simple yet profound moments, we find joy, belonging, and a sense of home, no matter how far away we are.

Longing for Romania, despite growing up in America

What motivates you to get involved in social activities within Romanian communities in North America?

Patrick Cioată: The greatest motivation comes from the desire to maintain a sense of unity among us. Our parents have strong ties to their culture, but we, having grown up far from Romania, often lack this feeling of deep connection.

Participating in social activities alongside other young Romanian Orthodox people helps us stay rooted in our traditions. It helps us meet like-minded individuals, strengthen our cultural identity, and build a united community.

Even on a small scale, coming together allows us to make a difference – both in our lives and for future generations.

A unique march

This year, you are organising a 5,500-km March for Life for the first time. Can you tell us how this initiative came about, how it will unfold, and how Romanian communities in North America are involved?

Valentin Cioană: His Grace Ioan Casian, the Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canda, invited me to discuss ROYA’s planned activities for 2025. His Grace received a letter listing pro-life activities that could be organised during the Month for Life and advised me to gather young people for this common cause.

One activity stood out: a March for Life. In Romania, organising such an event in a city is much easier than in Canada. However, that does not mean we cannot send an assumed, yet unostentatious message within our community.

Thus, if gathering in a large group may not be doable, we can still participate individually, united by a common goal.

5,500 kilometres for 5,500 Dollars

We decided that the distance should not be just 3 km, but a significant challenge – impossible to accomplish alone, yet achievable as a community.

To turn this idea into reality, I discussed it with Diana: “Diana, would you like to help me with a project where we need to run?”

Diana enthusiastically agreed and suggested a total distance of 5,500 km, equivalent to the longest walkable distance in Canada. We decided not only to reach this distance with the help of young people but also to raise funds to support mothers in our communities.

Each walked kilometre will correspond to a $1 donation. By the end of March, we aim to walk 5,500 km and raise $5,500.

To manage the financial aspect, I spoke with Patrick, who studies Finance and serves as the treasurer for ROYA Canada. The three of us devised a detailed plan to ensure the success of this march.

We invited our friends from the USA and introduced them to the project. This is how the initiative was born. Ultimately, with the blessing of Bishop Ioan Casian, the March for Moms came to life.

The March in action

The total distance of 5,500 km is divided based on the number of participants. Each participant must install the Strava app to record their walked or run kilometres. We have created a group on Strava where all distances are tracked.

Each participant is required to walk at least 15 km per week.

Diana and her team are responsible for recording the distances covered by each young person or each parish.

A leaderboard is published weekly to recognise and encourage those who cover the longest distances.

Each parish representative collects donations corresponding to the distances covered.

Funds are transferred into a dedicated ROYA bank account, managed by Patrick.

At the end of the month, donations are distributed to mothers in need from our communities.

To motivate the participants, we have decided to offer prizes:

• Individual level: The top three individuals covering the longest distances will receive gift cards worth $200, $150, and $100.
• Parish level: The top three parishes covering the longest distances will receive a pizza night to celebrate their collective effort.

Every small action matters

How are Romanian communities involved?

Patrick Cioată: To reach the goal of 5,500 km and raise $5,500, we must work together as a community. Thus, every young person in North America, from each participating community, plays an active role in this project. Through unity, we can transform this march into a successful initiative, creating a positive impact in our communities.

What message do you have for young people in Romania and the Romanian diaspora who are involved in pro-life activities?

Diana Pavel: Every small action matters and nothing goes unnoticed. It may seem like one person cannot do much, but sometimes all it takes is a single voice to spark change. Suddenly, that voice can inspire over 100 people across an entire country to unite for a common cause.

You never know how many people will stand with you until you choose to rise and take action. Even the smallest actions can have a huge impact, and one person taking a stand could be the reason someone else gets a chance at life.