In the U.S., rabbi blesses the Constantinople Patriarchate clergyman
At a memorial service for the victims of September 11 in New York, a rabbi for the first time in the U.S. offered a prayerful blessing over an Orthodox priest.
On September 11, 2025, at St. Nicholas Church in New York, during the service commemorating the victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks, a rabbi blessed a presbyter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate by placing his hands on his head and reciting a prayer, Romfea reports.
The blessing was given to Protopresbyter Elias (Ilias) Villis, Chancellor of the Archdiocesan District of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. According to the publication, this was the first time in the U.S. that a Jewish rabbi had performed such a gesture toward an Orthodox clergyman.
Fr. Villis himself shared the event on his X account, accompanied by photographs. He noted that he perceived it as a sign of brotherhood and spiritual unity: “In that moment, faith met faith, heart met heart, and unity overcame division.”
Protopresbyter Elias Villis also serves as rector of the Christ the Saviour parish in Rye, New York.
It is worth noting that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has repeatedly spoken in support of the Jewish community, condemned antisemitism, and emphasized the “common spiritual roots” of Christianity and Judaism.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the authorities of Uman, together with the U.S. Embassy, urged Hasidic Jews not to travel to Ukraine.
