'Unity has overcome division': In the US, a Jewish rabbi 'blessed' a priest of the Patriarchate of Constantinople

on September 11, 2025, during the memorial services for the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York City, a curious incident occurred. Protopresbyter Elias Willis, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of the Greek Archdiocese of America, received a «blessing» from a Jewish rabbi. The priest announced this on his social media account X.

«Today at Ground Zero I was convinced once again that even in the shadows of unimaginable loss, God’s light shines. This humble rabbi saw me and immediately hugged me tightly, not as a stranger, but as a brother. In that moment, faith met faith, heart met heart, and unity overcame separation. Here, where the world once shook, we stand together in our different paths … one hope», — wrote the priest.

Recall that on September 13, as part of the visit of the head of the Patriarchate of Constantinople to Latvia, Patriarch Bartholomew took part in an «ecumenical service» in the Lutheran Dome Cathedral in Riga. The event was attended by representatives of the Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches. Representatives of the Latvian Orthodox Church were absent.